CHAPTER SIX
-:- CORK -:-
Not being used to spending time around the clubhouse, I find it rather claustrophobic.
It is not the club's fault, it is just how I feel. I guess I’m so used to focusing on the wine shop management that my social skills are a bit rusty.
I can’t say I’ve ever been anything other than a wallflower, if I’m honest.
I’ve been able to get away from the clubhouse twice by making appointments at the gun range.
Not being allowed to drive myself was a bitch, and although Wings never complained about taking me, or hanging around to bring me back, I don’t like the feeling of being a burden to people.
I guess I won’t be going again until I’m fully fit.
The last time I was there I saw Dallas with Winter.
It looked like she was having a shooting lesson as she was carrying a Winchester repeater.
It was actually a sexy look for her. I’d like to see her astride her horse, working, that would definitely be a sexy look.
Maybe I’m getting better, my testosterone feels like it’s perking up, though I’ve called it a few things in the past, I’ve never called it that before!
Having had breakfast a bit late, I missed seeing the brothers going off to their busy lives. Like me, they all seem to enjoy what they do, so watching them leave only drives home my own urge to do something useful.
Seeing the state of the kitchen, although not too bad considering the numbers that have been through here in the last hour, I head for the storeroom that houses the sweeping broom and mop. At least I can do that to help whoever is cleaning the kitchen today.
Opening the door, instead of seeing cleaning equipment, I’m greeted with the sight of Knuckles’ hairy ass pounding into Jo, who is hanging onto the shelving for all she is worth.
Luckily, he’s taking her from behind, so I don’t have to see her face when she realizes that the room is suddenly very bright and someone has caught them doing research.
“For fuck's sake, you two! How many times do you need to do it in a storeroom? That is an image burned into my memory that I could well live without!” Turning and rubbing my eyes, I bump into something, and when I look up, I see Axel. He doesn’t look happy as he looks past me and sees Jo hurriedly dragging her pants up, and Knuckles just grinning as he does the same.
“Cork is right, you two. This is getting old now, and you need to start thinking of other people. If you’re getting off on the risk of being caught, start doing it somewhere else.
See how that works for you when Forest gets professionally involved.
As of now, anywhere other than your room here at the clubhouse is off limits to fuckin’ research. ” Axel walks away, shaking his head.
Knuckles gives me a foul look. “Thanks, Cork. You did a real job on us there.”
Spinning back to face him, I am furious.
“Don’t you dare put this on me you fucking hairy-assed baboon!
Just because you think it’s okay to disrespect everyone in the club by behaving like a couple of sex-mad animals, don’t look to put the onus on someone else when you get caught with your pants down.
AGAIN! Frankly, it’s been getting old for a while now, and I think Jo, more so than you, should have more respect for herself than keep showing herself to any Tom, Dick, or Harry!
” Standing in front of Knuckles, I’m waiting for the punch that is going to launch me through the wall behind me.
When nothing happens, I turn to leave, and then I understand why I’m still on my own two feet.
Drag, Buzz and Wings are standing there as I walk past them and head for the common room.
I think I’ve outstayed my welcome here and just want to go back to my apartment.
With a quick knock on Stitch’s office door, he calls, “Come in.”
“Stitch, I need to go home. You have my word I won’t go in the wine shop or pester Ava or the staff. I need to get out of here, though.” I haven’t cried in a very long time, but I can’t stop the tears that track down my cheeks.
Stitch gets me seated in a chair and asks what has brought this on. Telling him that I’ve been battling my emotions lately has him nodding his head. Explaining the encounter just now with Knuckles has him growling, “I should put something in their food to calm the pair of them the hell down.”
“It’s not just Knuckles and Jo’s fault, Stitch. We’ve all allowed it to go on, and by laughing about it, we’ve encouraged them. I was speaking for myself, but made it sound I was more like a spokesperson for the club. I’ll apologize to Jo before I leave as I owe her that much.”
Stitch hands me a couple of pills and a glass of water.
“Take these and relax here for a few minutes. I’ll arrange to get you taken home and settled in.
Your struggle with your emotions will be linked to your concussion, so don’t worry about that too much.
As for Knuckles and Jo’s escapades, I suspect you are right on all counts.
I agree, Cork, it's time that they calmed down the sex ‘anytime, anyplace, anywhere’. I’ll be back in a few minutes. ”
Stitch slips out the door, and I take another swig from the water bottle.
I don’t know if it is his words, his pills or me coming down from the adrenaline, but within a couple of minutes I certainly feel more relaxed.
The door opens, and I expect to see Stitch, but I’m frozen when I see Jo standing there.
“Hi, Cork. I just wanted to say I’m sorry for our behavior earlier.
You’re right in what you said, and also Knuckles had no cause to try to blame you.
I doubt he’ll mention it again, so I’ll apologize for him.
” I think she’s about to leave when I stand up and hold my arms out.
Accepting the hug, we cling to each other briefly, both shed a tear and then she’s gone.
There’s another five minutes before Stitch returns and when he does, he tells me that someone will be here in five minutes to take me to my apartment.
They are going to stay with me for a short time, no argument, but will stay longer if I feel I’d like the company.
Not knowing how I feel at this moment, I thank him and go pack my few bits and pieces.
Sitting in the common room, waiting for my lift, Mia appears. “I heard. You okay?”
“Yeah, thank you. I’m good. It happened so fast and escalated in seconds. I should have probably kept my big mouth shut, eh?” I give her a bit of a lopsided grin.
“You spoke how you felt, and that’s always the right thing to do. Go home, get better and don’t worry about any of this.” Mia wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me on the cheek. I look up when I think I hear Axel growl at Mia being so friendly, but all I see is Dallas.
“Dallas, can you stay with Cork for a few days? I can clear it with work, no problem. I just think he could do with some company, and maybe a diversion from work and club life.” Mia gives Dallas a look I’ve seen her use many times before, and I know that no matter what she or I say, we are going to be in the apartment together.
“Sure thing, Mia. If you can clear it with the bosses, I’ll do it.”
“If? There is no ‘if’ about it. Cork’s wellbeing comes first, and I say that you are better than what any doctor can order. Cork?” Mia squints at me.
“I recognize when I’m beaten, outnumbered, surrounded, defeated!
I surrender to whatever my First Lady commands.
” Standing up, I go to pick up my travel bag, but it’s already in Dallas’ hand.
“Okay, chauffeur and traveling companion, let’s head for home.
I’m ready for my next meal, too. Let’s see what we can rustle up for lunch, pardner! ”
Outside, I see an old pickup truck that I recognize as belonging to Dallas.
I’m about to pass a comment that it wouldn’t have hurt the MC to lend her one of the SUVs, when I think better of it.
Instead, I compliment her on having such a classic truck.
Seeing the beaming smile I get for my comment, I am more than pleased with myself.
On the way to the wine shop, I ask if she’s seen Raven’s truck yet?
When she says no, I’m quite surprised that Raven hasn’t shown it off yet.
For the rest of the journey, I try to do justice to my description of Raven's Apache pickup truck.
The drawing of a raven on the hood, the images on the doors, but most impressive, the word RAVEN pressed into the steel tailgate.
Once we’re home, Dallas nips into the wine shop to let them know I’m home, and that she will be staying a few days to oversee my recuperation. Back in the apartment it soon becomes clear that this cowgirl also has a gas addiction, and not just an addiction for ‘horse’ power.
Letting her know about Mia’s original girl-gang, now run by Kya due to Mia’s long list of responsibilities, I run through the list of vehicles each of them owns.
By the time I’m done, Dallas wants her pickup truck customized to a standard like Raven’s Apache truck, Star’s Dodge Charger and Kenzie’s Jeep.
She wants to own a two-wheeled hog, a three-wheeled hog and a Boom trike!
Her enthusiasm is infectious, and although I already have a decent hog, I could happily upgrade.
We spend an hour giving the place a quick clean and tidy.
I’m not a messy bachelor type, far from it, but the place has been ignored for a few days and it looks better for it.
There’s not much food in stock, so Dallas offers to run down to the local store and grab a few basics and necessities.
While she does that, I make sure the counters are all wiped down in the kitchen, ready to prepare whatever she brings back and get the coffee machine up and running.
When Dallas gets back, we restock the refrigerator and the cabinets before she reveals two beautiful ribeye steaks for tonight, and some potatoes that look like they were grown specially for baking.
Canned beans are something I don’t usually stock, but she has a variety of different sorts, so I’ll go along with it.
I know that cowboys eat a lot of them in the movies, so maybe they do in real life too?
Sitting at the table, we have a coffee and finish our conversation, and daydream of vehicles we’d love to own one day. No matter what Dallas ends up with, I can only imagine it will enhance her cowgirl persona.
I offer to cook the meal, but that is soon shot down as Dallas points out that she is here to help my recovery, not sit back and watch while I tire myself out.
I have to say, she knows her way around a kitchen, and when we sit down to ribeye, a baked potato and beans, it is delicious.
The ribeye is seasoned to perfection, the potato is fluffy and soaks the butter up, and well, the beans! They are warm and ready to eat.
Passing on my culinary compliments has her laughing, and telling me that her preferred expertise is sandwiches. Having eaten the sandwiches from her soup day, I have to agree that they were, in fact, delicious.
“The least I can do is clear the dishes from that excellent meal. You do the coffee and I’ll wash the dishes.
” Hoping I get away with my offer, I begin filling the sink with hot soapy water.
Dallas gets the coffee machine going again while I wash and stack the dishes on the drainer.
She grabs a towel and starts drying them.
Sending me to find a movie for us to watch, she brings the coffees.
Seeing cream floating on the coffee and smelling whisky in the air, I look forward to this.
“So, what are we watching? Fast and Furious? Gone in 60 Seconds? Bullitt? It’s bound to be a car movie after the conversation today.” Dallas wriggles her eyebrows at me and I grin as the movie begins.
“You have got to be kidding me! Seriously? Blazing Saddles? I love this movie!” She tucks her legs under her and gets comfortable.
“So, a good choice, huh? I think it’s one of the best comedies ever made. EVER!” Stretching my legs out, I wrap both hands around my mug and prepare for a good old-fashioned belly laugh.
By the time the credits roll at the end, we have both cried with laughter, and our stomachs ache with it too. Confessing I’m ready to turn in for the night, I offer to take the couch so Dallas can have my bed. A brief argument ensues, and not surprisingly I’m on my way to my room.