Chapter 8 #2
God, I do miss her daily slogans or pep talks.
Maybe I’ll call her and see if we can meet up over the summer.
She’s from California and migrated back after we graduated.
She can be a lot to handle sometimes, but she is also the one who gave me my confidence back all those years ago.
I’m sure she would scalp me if she knew I was meeting up with Beckett to talk.
I told her everything about what had happened one drunken night, and she swore to cut his balls off if she ever met him.
I walk into the closet searching for the right outfit that will make Kane’s head spin.
We need to talk business first, and then hopefully he’ll show me a few more of his moves like last night.
Finding a floral off the shoulders top, I pair it with shorts and wedges to give me a little height.
On my way out the door I grab my keys, an extra flash drive, my purse, and my phone.
I hit the button on my keyring, beeping my car to unlock it, when I see my mother almost sprinting out the back door to catch me.
“Raegan! Wait, I wanted to speak with you a moment.”
“Okay, what’s up?” I ask, checking my watch.
“Well, I spoke with Katrina Hastings and she bragged how Ian is just smitten with you.”
“That’s great, Mom, but I’m not sure it’s going to work out. He’s a nice guy and all, but I’m kinda seeing someone else at the moment.”
“Someone else? Well, but Ian’s a doctor.
And you can’t go wrong with having a doctor in the family.
” She sets off a giggle like she’s joking, but the older I get the more I see that labels and prestige is all she see.
“So, do I know this guy you’re seeing? What’s his last name?
I’m sure I know and run around with his parents. ”
Why does it matter what he does as a profession?
“Umm, I doubt that,” I mumble. “It’s kinda new, and I don’t really want you nosing around. I’ll let you know if it’s going anywhere.”
She crosses her arms over her chest like I’ve just took her toy from her.
“Fine,” she huffs like she’s annoyed. “You’re still planning to come to the garden brunch on Sunday, correct?”
I roll my eyes.
“Yes, fine.”
“Good, Pastor Meyers’ daughter, Sutton, will be there and I want the two of you to become friends.
Do you remember her from school?” she blabbers on.
Sutton was a sweet but quiet girl a year or two younger than me in school.
She was always dressed in a long handmade-looking dress.
Whenever anyone needed to be tutored she was always willing to help out no matter if they were popular or an outcast. I do remember her being made fun of because of how strict her father was and that she was a bit overweight.
Sutton was always sweet to me those few times we talked.
Before I’m able to respond to her she continues then dismisses me. “Have a nice evening, honey.”
With that laundry list of things she wants from me, she’s gone back into the house.
Ten minutes later, I’m pulling up to the clubhouse and am stopped by two guys in cuts.
“What’s your business here?” One of them who is the size of a barn, questions as I roll my window down.
“I have some business with Beckett and then I’m meeting with Kane after that.”
“Beckett and Kane?”
“You know, your leader and his helper.” The guy looks completely confused. I’m wondering if another MC set up shop directly next door, and I pulled in the wrong driveway.
“She means Prez,” the other guy asserts and it’s like a light bulb moment goes off.
“Is he expecting you? We don’t just let anyone in here because they want to suck his dick.”
“Why don’t you call him and find out before I shove my four inch wedge up your ass.”
I watch as the other guy who’s standing more by the gate make a call to someone on his phone. After a few moments, the color drains from his face.
“Let her in Tiny before you get us both killed.”
They both step away from my car and then over to the gate to open it. I drive through and park across from the bikes that are lined in a straight row.
Just as I’m about to walk towards the doors of the clubhouse, I see Rocky, Kane’s special needs brother, coming over from the auto shop.
“Hi, Raegan,” he says with a big smile on his face and mine matches his. He’s wearing a black shirt that says DR Auto that has a custom motorcycle under the name. There are thick glasses propped on his nose that weren’t there last we spoke.
“Hi, Rocky, how’s it going?”
“Good. You come to see me?” he asks, and the apples of his cheeks turn a light shade of pink.
“I’ve got a meeting with Beckett and then your brother, but I’m always happy to see you.”
“Okay, no worries.” His hair is combed over to the side today and he’s got a grease mark on his lower jaw.
“You workin’ on cars today?”
“Yeah, Chains needs help with a big truck,” he animates to me.
“I’m glad you’re helping him out and showing him where everything goes,” I praise. “I didn’t know you wore glasses. They look good on you.”
He brings both hands up and covers the lens. “Thanks, Raegan. Chains says they’re a pussy magnet.”
I choke hearing him say that and try to school my features. “Well, they look good, buddy,” I say and pat his shoulder.
“Hey, Cassanova!” we hear shouted across the lot. We turn and I see a large man leaning up against the bay door of the shop smirking while wiping his hands with a red rag. “Get her number, and let’s get back to work.”
“I-I better go, see you next time, Raegan,” Rocky says with a big smile then surprises me with a hug. He squeezes me tight and I return it.
As he walks back I hear Rocky lecturing the large man about embarrassing him when Beckett roars into the lot and over to an empty space.
“Hey, Darlin’, was hoping you’d be here,” he confesses but stays on his bike. I can tell from the movement of his face that he is checking me out under his sunglasses.
“I told you I would,” I snap back. Already I’m agitated and we haven’t even started our conversation. I take a long deep breath to calm myself then clear my throat to start fresh and try to release the irritation bubbling up.
“I know. I just…thank you for hearing me out.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I wave him off. I don’t want to be soft around him; I need to keep my guard up. The last thing I want is for him to think we still have a chance for a relationship. “So where do you want to do this? I have to meet with Kane when we’re done.”
“What for?”
“None of your business,” I snap at him then roll my eyes.
“Raegan, we may not be together, but you’ll always be my business.”
“Don’t start that shit with me right now Beckett or I’ll turn around right now and walk.”
“Okay, okay. Get on and we can go to a neutral place. I don’t want to do this here,” he tells me pulling out an extra helmet from his saddle bag. “You know everyone calls me Havoc now.”
I’m about to respond when I see the door open to the clubhouse and watch Kane step outside. He looks fine as hell wearing his cut and tight black shirt.
“Give me a second, Havoc,” I say his new name and walk over towards Kane.
Kane places his sunglasses over his eyes then turns his body so that his back is to Havoc.
“Hey, we’re still meeting up after this, right? I’ve got something really important that needs your attention,” I say. His face is unmoving, almost annoyed.
“Things are chaotic right now, I don’t know if I’ll be here when you get back.”
“Kane, you’re going to want to see what I have.” I don’t think that he understands what I’m holding onto in my car. Someone is trying to get information on his club.
“I said I don’t know,” Kane harshly spits out. Why is he being like this to me after the night and morning we shared?
“Fine, if that is the way you want it. Have it your way.” I stomp off to Havoc’s bike, but not before I knock my shoulder against his arm as I pass him. God, I’m starting to hate men. When I get next to Havoc, I grab the helmet he’s offering me then mount on behind him.
As I turn slightly, I see Kane watching us.
I’ve never been one to play games, but I feel like right now is as good as time as any.
My hands grip tightly around his waist, and I lay my head on his shoulder.
Leaning into his ear and whisper, “I bet you thought this would never happen. Me on your bike again.”
It’s so childish and I feel awful putting Havoc in the middle of mine and Kane’s issue, but I can’t help it. Sometimes Petty Betty comes out and she gets the best of me.
I can see from the side that Beckett is smiling big and lets out a laugh.
My eyes cut towards Kane and see that it has the effect that I wanted because now he has his fists clenched and is moving towards us.
My ex is completely oblivious as to what is happening, and I’m glad for that.
The last thing I need is for them to smash each other.
He takes off for the gate with the roar of his engine, leaving behind a very enraged Kane.
We ride for a while and when a familiar site comes ahead I can’t stop the smile forming on my face. I haven’t been here in forever. It’s one of the only places I can think clearly.
My wooden bridge.
It’s also where I met Beckett and Ben for the first time. As he rolls to a stop, he lets me get off first then he dismounts. We walk the short distance and sit down letting our feet and legs dangle off the side.
“I come here when I need a break from reality,” Beckett tells me after we sit in companionable silence staring out over the water.
“I had a place I found in Seattle to clear my head, but it doesn’t compare to this. Out here it’s so peaceful. The big city was always so noisy.”
After a few more silent minutes Beckett clears his throat.
“I’m not sure how we should start this.”
“Me either, Beckett. I just know that I don’t want to keep carrying around anymore hate for you. I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other. And I don’t want us to always be fighting or rushing out of the room to avoid each other.”