Chapter 7 #2
She cocked her head and patted my hand. “He missed you too, though he hid it well. I know some siblings can be close, but you two were literally the same person for a long time. You were barely ever apart from birth. But you always had it in you to stand up for yourself, sweetheart.
“That night, when you left, you’d been knocked down hard, more than once, but you stood tall and walked out of those gates and went to get what you wanted. What you deserved. You didn’t let them break you and you made something of yourself. But… everyone needs their family once in a while.”
“My brother, definitely. You and the other old ladies, sure. But there are certain things I could do with never having to see again. I had the pleasure of watching Hudson with a club girl last night.”
“God damn his ass,” she hissed through her teeth. “That boy lost all sense five years ago.”
“I didn’t think for a second he wouldn’t be with other women, Rosa.”
Rosa made a soft humming sound, looking at me as if she could see inside my brain.
“Hudson Kelley doesn’t do that in the clubhouse. Everyone knows it. Nope, there is only one reason he let you see that.”
“Cos he’s a prick?” I suggested.
“Because you being back here’s thrown him and he doesn’t know how to deal with it. He never has got a handle on his emotions.”
“Act first, think later, you mean?” I asked angrily. “Or his specialty thinking with his dick.”
Rosa clucked her tongue and shook her head. I knew what she wanted to say, but fortunately for both of us, she held her tongue.
Over the years, she tried to tell me I should speak to Hudson, but it was a non-starter conversation. I didn’t want to speak to him, particularly about that night. I didn’t want to relive having my heart ripped from my chest.
But I couldn’t stop my thoughts racing because of how she viewed my current relationship. If it was so good, why hadn’t I told Declan about my family? Or about where I came from? He didn’t know I was a twin.
I convinced myself that didn’t matter. He was a huge part of my current life, and my life for the last five years hadn’t included the MC or anyone that had anything to do with it.
“You have any more beers in that pack?”
We both turned at the voice. Rosa smiled broadly and got to her feet, welcoming her daughter to join us with a tight hug and offering her a beer.
“Hey Cassie,” I smiled.
Cassie looked like both her parents. She was tall and stocky, more athletic than heavy, like her dad, but she had her mom’s Mediterranean features.
She was wearing a grey pantsuit with a black blouse and carrying a leather satchel briefcase.
Her shoes were patent leather, pointy as all hell and about four inches high.
God only knew how she walked in them. Her hair hung down her back and had a kink in it like she had just released it from a hair tie.
She was six years older than me, so we hadn’t been in school together, but we hung out when she came to the clubhouse with her parents.
“Waverley. How long has it been?”
“Just over five years,” I told her.
“I never thought you would go anywhere without that band of misfits following behind you.”
“How come you’re here, baby?” Rosa interrupted.
“Can’t I come see my mom?”
“At four on a Sunday afternoon, dressed like that? Don’t even try to pretend this is about me.”
“Well, yeah, but I would never be here and not come see my beautiful mama,” she smiled, and Rosa beamed back at her.
I smiled at the two of them. I’d always envied their relationship and given what I now knew about my mother, even if she stuck around, I wouldn’t have had this kind of relationship with her.
“I was going through a few things with War actually,” she glanced at me. “We just got finished up before they went out on a ride.”
I gave a sardonic laugh. So, it was okay for him to up and leave the compound, but the little female couldn’t go anywhere without a guard watching her.
“Rosa, can I stay at the house or is there anywhere else I can stay while I’m here?”
When I explained King had me sleeping in the clubhouse, she was aghast. And I hadn’t even told her about being in the room next to Hudson.
Both she and Cassie were in hysterics when I relayed what had happened this morning. Rosa told us the girl who got kicked out had cut up her feet and had a head injury but was mostly okay and willingly left.
“Tanya is a piece of shit,” Cassie muttered as she slipped off her shoes and grabbed another beer, clearly settling in for some girl time. “I don’t spend a lot of time at the parties, but that girl is out for one thing only. God help the fool she hooks.”
Rosa looked at me, wondering if I knew she was after Hudson. It wasn’t my business, but it was ironic Hudson ended up with a woman not so dissimilar to my mother.
“There is plenty of room here, don’t you worry. There are a few girls who are dating some guys who stay here, but it wouldn’t bother them none for you to stay. I’ll tell King, you just get your stuff and come on over. I’ll let the girls know and they’ll show you to an empty room.”
“Thanks Rosa.”
She touched a hand to my cheek. “You’re welcome sweetheart. It’s great to have you home, no matter the circumstances. You know you’ll be safe here.”
“And it’s good to have someone who isn’t trailing after biker dick to hang out with,” Cassie laughed.
I laughed with her. Rosa was right. Despite the circumstances, I would be safe. I was just concerned about how easily I fit back in. I definitely needed to speak to Declan.