Chapter 3
Chloe – Past – Age 17
“Okay, what about him?” Stella tilted her head to the corner of the cafeteria.
I looked in that direction, then I looked back at her and said, “Not my type.”
She groaned, “Come on, Co. Someone at this school has to be your type.”
I shook my head at her, “I’m sorry, Stell.”
She sighed, “I would do it for you.”
And she would.
But I just wasn’t like that, and she knew it.
I gave her the best apologetic eye look I could muster, then said, “I’m sorry, Stell. I just can’t make something happen if I don’t feel it.”
She sighed again, “I know. And it’s one of the things I love about you.”
I grinned, “Tell you what, when I find someone who makes my heart beat double time, you’ll be the first to know. Okay?”
Inwardly, I cringed.
Because I couldn’t tell her who made my heart beat double time. Who caused my breath to stall in my lungs when I spoke to him. Who caused every single nerve ending in my body to fire.
But thankfully, Stella couldn’t read any of that on my face.
And I knew that when she smiled and nodded, “Okay. You better.”
Just then, Poppy, Casey, Nora, Maria, and Lizzie made it to our table.
They sat their lunch trays down, and Nora lowered her voice, “Word in the halls is that Brett and Karla finally called it quits for good.”
We didn’t gasp.
We didn’t snicker.
No, we busted out laughing.
Because they were on and off again so many times that it was insane.
I swear that they broke up more times than I changed my underwear.
“What’s everyone saying?” Poppy asked as she took a bite of her pizza.
Nora shrugged, “Well, the word is that Brett has been trying to end things with her because there’s someone else he’s really into. And he didn’t want her to get caught up in their drama. Supposedly, she doesn’t deserve that, and she’s too good for that.”
Poppy swooned, “Aww. That’s sweet.”
Maria looked at Poppy, winked at her, and then asked, “Any idea who that girl is?”
Nora shook her head, “Nope. No clue. But we do know that she goes here.”
Everyone gasped but me.
I really didn’t get all that drama that surrounded Brett.
Sure. He was good-looking in that GQ kind of way. The football god of the school.
Brett was a little over six feet with blue eyes and dirty blonde hair. He was fit.
I got the allure of it all, but for me, he just didn’t tick the right boxes.
He wasn’t taller. He didn’t have the right color of hair. His eyes didn’t make me melt.
He didn’t stand next to me and make me feel so small but so protected at the same exact time.
Thankfully, Lizzie started talking about what she was planning to do this weekend.
And that steered the conversation away from Brett and who the mystery girl could possibly be.
However, it wasn’t long before a few names were thrown around about who the girl could be.
Once we went back to our classes, I settled in my seat in calculus beside Stella and opened my textbook.
I was reviewing a few things when I saw a shadow fall over me.
Lifting my head, it was to see Brett.
The topic of our lunch period.
And the topic of the entire school, apparently.
He winked, “How’s it going, Chloe?”
I lifted a brow, “Fine. What are you doing in here?”
He smirked, “You're in here. That’s why.”
I didn’t say anything.
Because what was there to say?
I saw something on his face change.
Was that... shock?
But before I could really process that look, it was gone. Then he said, “I got a question for you.”
I shrugged, even though I was getting uncomfortable because I could feel a lot of eyes on us, and I needed this to be done with, whatever this was. I said, “Shoot.”
“There’s this new pizza place they just opened on Main Street. You and me, Friday night?”
I shook my head, “Thanks. But I’ve got plans.”
And with that, I looked back down at my textbook.
And from the corner of my eye, I saw Stella’s mouth hanging wide open, and then she closed it and hissed, “Our plans aren’t that important. Say yes.”
I looked over at her, “No. We have plans. I would be the world’s crappiest friend if I canceled our plans for some guy.”
“Admire that.” I heard from Brett.
I sighed, then looked up at him, “Frankly, I don’t care.”
He chuckled, “You got sass. I fucking like that. Saturday?”
I shook my head, “Plans then too.”
Stella once again hissed, “We have parties every weekend, it won’t hurt you to miss one.”
Brett chuckled, “I like you. What’s your name?”
I saw Stella’s frame soften, and then she whispered, “Stella.”
He jerked up his chin, “Cool to meet you.” Then he looked back at me, “Saturday. Give me your phone.”
I didn’t move except to lean back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest, “I. Have. Plans. Now, you are holding up this class. If you wouldn’t mind leaving... I’d appreciate that.”
He rocked back on his heels, tongued his cheek, then looked behind me and said, “Move.”
I almost lost my stuffing.
What I wouldn’t give to say, I almost lost my shit.
But if my mama ever heard me say a curse word... I cringed.
There were a few things that scared me. But disappointing my mama was the biggest one of them all.
The guy behind me scampered out of his chair and moved to a different one.
The moment the guy moved, Brett slid into the chair.
I rolled my eyes, and then, all through class, I ignored Brett.
The moment the bell rang, I got out of my chair and looked at him, “I thought telling you I had plans would clue you in, but apparently, I’m going to have to be blunt. I’m not interested.”
With that, I grabbed my stuff and then headed out of class, Stella was on my heels the entire way, and the moment we hit the hall that would separate us for our last class of the day, she said, “Come on sugar pumpkin. Munchkin kisses forever and ever. Say yes to him. He’s the god of this school.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but I’d like to change your mind and make you interested in me,” Brett said from our side.
I threw my hands up and then stomped away.
All the while, I heard Brett chuckle at my back.
Once classes were over for the day, I made my way to Stella’s light-blue Volkswagen beetle convertible.
Just as I made it to the door, I saw her running.
“I’m going to talk you into going out with him even if it kills me,” she said, huffing.
I snickered, “Fat chance. But good luck trying.”
And on the way to the clubhouse, where we always went after school so we could get homework done, our chat group started blowing up.
After I read the first one from Nora, I silenced my phone.
Nora – Brett asked you out. And you told him you had plans??? WTF??? SMH!!!!
Once we made it to the clubhouse, I was five seconds away from telling Stella to take me home, or I would walk.
Showing my anger, I slammed my backpack on the table and then took my books out and slammed them down.
“Uh oh. What the fuck happened?” Asher asked once he made it to us.
I sighed, and before I could answer, Stella did.
“The hottest guy at the school asked Chloe out. He dumped his girlfriend. Making sure that she wouldn’t start things with Chloe before he did it. And she told him she had plans. Plans with me. We can cancel them for Brett. I don’t get it.”
I sighed, “It’s not just that, Stella. I’m not interested in him. He does nothing for me. When I say yes to a guy, I need to feel it in my gut. In my heart, he’s the right one for me. I don’t want a lot of men. I just want one.”
Asher mumbled then, “Nothing wrong with waiting for the right one.”
Stella growled, “I know that, Dad. But none of the boys at school pay me a lick of attention. I gotta live vicariously through her. She gets asked out at least three times a week. And she always says no. Either they aren’t her type. Too immature. Or she knows at least three other girls the guy has been with.”
And I swore I freaking swore I heard Asher mutter, “Good.”
But I hadn’t... right?
And then my phone pinged with a text.
Unknown – Hey, so what time should I pick you up?
Unknown – I’ve been wanting to ask you out for a while. But I didn’t want Karla’s drama to touch you. That’s gotta count for something. Right?
I narrowed my eyes and then looked at Stella, “You freaking didn’t.”
She looked at me, her eyes wide, “Do what?”
I could feel Asher’s eyes on me, but I ignored him, “You didn’t give my number to Brett. You wouldn’t do that.”
Stella winced, “I didn’t do that. Exactly.”
I could feel my anger mounting, “How, exactly?”
Then she rushed out, “I may have opened my contact book, scrolled to your number, and laid the phone down on the desk in front of him.”
I loved Stella. I did.
But she had crossed a line.
Here I was, keeping my feelings to myself.
Doing everything I could think of to not lose her.
I felt a tear trail down the corner of my eye, and then when she caught sight of it, her face paled, Asher muttered, “Fuck.”
I stood up, put my stuff back in my backpack, and then looked around Asher and to Stoney I asked, “Can you run me home, please?”
He saw the next tear that trailed down my cheek, then nodded, “Yeah, sweetheart. Let’s go.”
I ignored Asher and Stella and walked beside Stoney.
When I got home, I headed to my bedroom, closed the door, and then blocked Brett’s number.
For the rest of the evening, I worked on my homework. I had to set my phone to the side and was close to turning it off because not only was Stella texting me, but so was Asher.
I ignored the two of them.
After I ate dinner, and thankfully, my mama and dad were busy talking about a cruise that they were thinking of taking in a few years, so I was able to keep everything to myself, I settled into bed and then looked at my phone.
Thirteen missed calls from Stella.
Three from Asher.
Stella – Co, I’m sorry.
Stella – Co, please answer your phone. I shouldn’t have done that.
Stella – I’m just so frustrated. Because of who my dad is, nobody wants to ask me out.
Stella – The amazing friend you are, you would tell me that it means they don’t deserve me.
Stella – You would be right.
Asher – Talk to her, Chloe. She’s torn up.
Stella – I love you like a fat kid loves cake. I know how you feel, and I am so sorry, Co.
Stella – So I don’t do it again, I’ll delete your number from my phone?
Stella – I’ll dress up in purple tomorrow.
Stella hates the color purple.
Stella – Please forgive me, Co. Please. I won’t do this again.
Asher – I’ve talked to her. Let her off the hook for me, yeah?
I sighed. I knew Stella couldn’t help herself, and I knew she was frustrated. But if she did anything like this again, I was egging her car.
And I texted her as much.
Her reply was instantaneous, almost as if she was staring at it.
Stella – Deal.
Asher – Thanks. My ears just bled from her screech.
Asher – Do anything to make her smile.
I smiled at that.
Me – I know. Me too. But I can’t create feelings for someone that aren’t there.
Asher – And that makes you one admirable person, Chloe. Someone I’m honored to know.
Then I smiled.
That felt nice.
That caused my body to warm all over.
Then to Stella, I said.
Me – I forgive you. But you have to wear purple tomorrow.
It was the very next day, and since today was Friday, and since we were old enough now, and our parents were okay with it, we were leaving at noon since it was a half day, swinging by the clubhouse, then heading to Badd Motha Ink and getting our noses pierced.
We both had been begging to have it done.
And since Badd Motha Ink did all the ink for Zagan MC, they were happy to do it.
The moment I walked out of my house and headed to Stella’s car, she jumped out and showed me her outfit.
I stared for a beat, then two, then three, then laughed so hard I almost peed on myself.
She had on a purple bandana around her head, a purple long-sleeved shirt, purple athletic shorts, purple knee-high socks, and purple tennis shoes.
“I love you, and I’m sorry.” She said as she reached me.
I grinned, “I know, I love you too. You brought a change of clothes, right?”
She nodded.
I smiled, then took a picture and gestured to the house, “Go change.
She spun so fast her ponytail hit my face, and then she opened the car door, grabbed her bag, and raced into the house.
I snickered and then pulled up Asher’s number.
I brought the phone to my ear, and he answered on the second ring, “You okay?”
I grinned, “How long did y’all have to shop for that purple stuff?”
He laughed, “Show you the video of it later. Funniest shit I’ve ever seen.”
I giggled.
We hung up, and then Stella came racing out of my house in her normal clothes of ripped jeans, a band tee, and her Converse, the same as me.
The moment we pulled into the parking lot, I looked up and felt my jaw drop, then I looked at Stella and asked, “What is Pagan doing here?”
She snickered, “Dad’s orders. Come on. You’ll see.”
I nodded, then climbed out of the car.
Pagan jerked his chin up at us and then walked behind us to the front steps.
Then, I caught sight of Brett and his friends.
The moment he saw us, he smiled and then headed in our direction.
But he didn’t make it close.
Because one second, Pagan was behind us, and then he was right in front of us, “That’s far enough. Chloe told you she wasn’t interested. You need to respect that. You don’t, we’re going to have problems.”
Brett showed that he had been tackled one too many times when he bowed up at Pagan, “Yeah, and who the fuck are you. This is between me and Chloe.”
Pagan shook his head, “I’m the fucker that was sent here to talk to you. You need to play the hand that’s been dealt. Because if you keep on playing, you're going to be dealt a losing hand. And you won’t like it. I guarantee you that.”
Stella snickered, then looked at me, “I know this is my fault. I really am sorry.”
I shrugged, “It’s okay. I get it.”
Brett opened his mouth and said, “Look, I get it. Okay. I do. But I’ve had my eye on Chloe for years. I was just too stupid to realize it. I just want a chance.”
Pagan looked over his shoulder at me and lifted a brow.
I shook my head, then looked at Brett, “I’m really not interested. You’re not going to change my mind, so please, don’t try.”
Pagan looked at Brett, “There you have it. Leave her the fuck alone.”
One of Brett’s friends, Kent, asked, “You her boyfriend or something?”
Pagan snorted. “No. I’m not stupid. No way in fuck am I getting my ass killed for thinking about Chloe in any way other than family.”
And with that, he looked at Brett, “This is your only warning. You don’t want to have to deal with the Pres.”
Brett sighed, then nodded.
Huh, guess he did have a few brain cells left.
Then I looked at Stella, “What did he mean? Deal with the Pres?”
She shrugged, “No clue.”
With that, Pagan looked at us, jerked his chin, then headed to his bike.
All through the day, everyone was whispering about the girl who turned Brett down. I got more looks than I ever have before.
And I also got more looks for the guys at school than I ever had before. Most of those consisted of top-to-toe looks. Lingering on my boobs and my butt. Ugh, I rolled my eyes at the last guy. Gross.
When were they going to learn that there was more to a woman than the way her body looked... probably not until they were fifty or so.
But... what had us laughing our asses off... while we were headed to her car, we passed Brett with his arm thrown over Karla’s shoulders.
I looked at Stella, she looked at me, and then we started laughing.
Once we made it to the clubhouse to ask Asher to make the call, I went to the fridge, grabbed two grape sodas, and then made sandwiches.
Stella came in as I was putting the cheese on them, and then she settled on the bar stool and popped the tabs, “Dad’s in church. As soon as he gets out, I’ll ask him to make the call.”
I nodded.
My mom and dad were okay with it, and I even had a written form of consent with their numbers on it.
We ate and talked about the kind of jewelry we wanted. Stella wanted a diamond stud, and I wanted the black nose ring.
We had just finished our last bites when Asher walked into the kitchen in faded jeans, motorcycle boots, and a dark blue tee underneath his kutte.
His face was hard, and I could tell that he had run his hand through his hair.
His eyes went to Stella, then they came to me, and not realizing I was doing it, I tilted my head and asked, “Are you okay?”
He sighed, which caused Stella to really look at him.
He nodded, “Yeah. Be alright.”
Then he looked at Stella, “What did you need, princess?”
Stella smiled wide, then, “We wanted you to call over to Badd Motha Ink and see if they can fit us in.”
He lifted a brow, “For what?”
Stella smiled, “We want to get our noses pierced.”
He looked at me, and I nodded.
He sighed, then ran his hand through his hair again, and that clued me in that he was way stressed out, but just like the man he was, he asked, “Who do you plan to do it?”
Stella laughed, “Really, Daddy? Do you honestly think we would go to anyone other than Alise?”
He nodded, “Good.”
Once he placed the call, Stella hugged him and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
I didn’t do that.
No, I headed to the pantry and moved a few boxes around until I found the stash I had hidden.
Then I tagged a Reese Cup and hid the stash again.
Then I walked it over to Asher. “These always seem to make you feel better.”
He looked at me, then down at my hand, and then I watched as the corners of his eyes crinkled. He whispered one word, “Thanks.”
After we got our noses pierced, we picked up a pizza, went back to the clubhouse, and settled into the media room Asher had added to the clubhouse last year.
I smiled at Stella when she popped in the first DVD of my favorite series.
She was still trying to get back into my good graces, and with this, she was definitely there.
But I snickered when she started snoring ten minutes into the second episode.
Just then, two of the club girls who had joined the club walked by the media room.
And I wanted to weep for Adeline and her story.
It was heartbreaking. Everything that poor woman had gone through.
But I knew that I didn’t know everything. And honestly, I don’t think I ever did.
However, I will say this. Even though I was sure she had gone through some of the worst things a female can go through, they all made her into the amazing woman she is today.
And just like Adeline, there was Sutton.
She was another one of the club girls who had joined and had captured the attention of one man, and when he finally pulled his head out of his behind, I knew it was going to be explosive.
And I was all here for it.
Well... as much as I could be, at least.