2. Chapter Two
Chapter Two
M y brother was not subtle, he was loud and boisterous and made sure everyone knew when he entered a room. I was at the kitchen counter making coffee when he came in laughing at something he was saying to Hudson.
Can I get one of those?
Make your own, I said without looking at him.
Please, he begged. Ill love you forever.
I cast a look over my shoulder. My brother was wearing sweatpants and nothing else. I was used to that. What I wasnt used to was seeing Hudson in the same state of undress. My cheeks start to burn as I noticed him and quickly turned back to my task.
Fine, I muttered.
Youre the best, Warren rounded the corner to stand behind me and kissed the back of my head. He was a pain in the ass, but I loved him. Still, I did the sisterly thing and elbowed his stomach making him grunt.
You want one? I asked Hudson without looking back at him.
I wasnt sure I could maintain any kind of cool seeing his bare chest again. Not that I hadnt seen it a hundred times before, growing up, but something about him was different now. Hed bulked up, same as Warren, they worked out a lot in the garage were dad had set up some gym equipment. He had a visible six pack and well defined arms, and even though he wasnt eighteen yet, he started getting tattoos on the top of his arm. Id heard all the girls in school talking about Hudson and my brother. They would say all kinds of gross things about them in the locker rooms. Occasionally glancing at me to see my reaction. I never acted on it, it wasnt worth it.
Id had a lot of different shit from the girls in school because of those two. Some of them wanted to befriend me to get close to them, others were plain bitches because I was always with them and the guys would never tell me I couldnt hang out with them over a girl. Id fallen for the friend thing once and been horribly hurt when I realised she was using me to get close to my brother. I didnt make friends easily after that.
Last night Hudson was only wearing his underwear, tight grey boxer briefs, and my eyes had automatically dropped to the trail of hair from his belly button down into said underwear. It was the first time Id seen a boy like that and Id almost died on the spot.
Sure, Warren walked around half dressed, but he was my brother. It had been a hell of a shock to open my bathroom door and see him standing there when Id been expecting to yell at Warren for waking me. Fortunately, my concern for him being at our house took away a little of the insane embarrassment. Not just because of what I saw, but my own state of undress too. Which Warren had very kindly reminded me of when he barged in. Holy hell, Id been totally and utterly mesmerized by his body and Id grown really hot.
Yeah, thanks Wave, Hudson answered me, snapping me out of the lust fuelled daydream.
I set about my task as the two guys went to the fridge and started pulling out food. I would have been happy with my cereal but Hudson was making omelettes with cheese and bacon and the smells filling the kitchen had me salivating. I left their coffees on the counter and went over to the dining table, sitting on one leg and staring into my coffee as the boys laughed and joked.
It was good to see Hudson smiling. I hated he had to escape his father in the middle of the night. I was glad he came, obviously but it hurt him every time his dad got like this and he had to leave to protect himself.
My dad appeared at the doorway, filling up the space and taking all the air out of the room. He had an aura about him that drew respect and fear from those around him. Despite the early hour he was already dressed in his usual jeans, t-shirt and unbuttoned shirt over the top.
Sometimes I didnt think he undressed, he wasnt the type to wander around in sweatpants like Warren, I dont think he owned a pair of pajamas. He wouldnt put his Cut on until he was leaving. That was what they called the leather vest he wore daily to denote him being a member of a Motorcycle Club. He never left home without wearing it. It had a logo of a motorcycle engine with a horned skull over it and the clubs name on the back of it. On the front he had a number of patches, the most important one saying President showing him as the leader of the club.
He didnt react to seeing Hudson cooking breakfast but did take note, like he always did. Id heard him talking with Warren a couple of years ago about what to do about Leon Kelley. King always treated Hudson like one of us and it bothered him what he was going through at home. One word from King Curtis and that would stop but Hudson, for whatever reason, didnt want him to step in.
I guess I could understand it. He was the only parent he had left. Wed been around when his mom died of cancer. She was a nice lady who was always happy to have us kids over, especially when dad couldnt be around. Id been devastated when she died.
Hudson didnt talk about her much, hed been stoic and closed off for a while after she died, but we never let him go off alone, one of us was always with him. I could tell he felt guilty at the thought of walking away from his dad. Like in some way he would be going against what his mom wanted. But it wasnt down to Hudson, it was his shitty father and the shitty way he treated him pushing them apart and there was only so much one person could take before they snapped. I didnt want that to happen to Hudson.
My dad made himself a drink and the boys quietened. Hudson offered dad some food and he nodded his thanks and came to the table. He checked his phone and sipped his coffee. The older I got, the harder it got to relate to him. As a kid, Id been a daddys girl, following him around and he allowed me into his office at the Devils compound as long as he wasnt conducting business and I played quietly. Id liked being around him, when I was innocent and ignorant of what went on there.
Now I was older, hed drawn away from me, content to let the old ladies of the MC look out for me if I needed anything. He focused the majority of attention on Warren because he wanted him to join the club once we graduated.
That was a massive cause of disagreement between me and my brother. I wanted to get him away. I didnt want him to end up a criminal like our father. He had potential, he was an awesome basketball player, he would go far if he came to college. Hudson too. Wed had many discussions and arguments about it, I was pleased Id managed to talk Warren around.
Well, he was considering it at least and hed filled out college applications with me. I couldnt imagine not being around my twin. Wed never been apart more than a night, if one of us was at a sleepover or something. Even on school trips we were together. It would break my heart if I was forced to go and leave him behind and he knew that.
Hudson and Warren came over to the table carrying two plates each. His mom taught him to cook when he was younger. It started when she knew she was sick and was preparing him for life without her. He often cooked when he was over here, Warren joking it was how he paid his rent.
I need you boys at the compound tonight, dad said after wiping his mouth with a napkin. All three of them had devoured their food within about three bites while my plate was still half full.
I kept my eyes on my food. He wouldnt go into specifics with me here and neither Warren nor Hudson would ask. That was the thing with the Motorcycle Club. It was men only. I was never included in anything that happened there, even though I knew more than I should from the boys. Sure I could go to the compound, they had a lot of parties there, I wasnt really supposed to attend the night-time ones, but the summer daytime parties and BBQs were fine. The wives and girlfriends, commonly referred to as old ladies of the bikers, had a house that only they could use, so I spent a lot of time there.
They were getting older now, closer to being patched in, learning they had to keep things secret from me. And that broke my heart. I had already lost Connor to the club. He was a Prospect now that hed graduated high school, a trainee who had a cut of his own and worked for the MC.
Waverley take the car to school, I had one of the guys change the oil and fill it up with gas.
I nodded, you didnt question King when he told you to do something. That meant theyd go straight from school, so Warren wouldnt be able to give me a ride home. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Hudson looking at me, his brows were up, trying to check if I was okay. I stared at him. What difference would it make if I was okay or not? Theyd go and Id still be left on the outside. I was no longer hungry so picked up my plate and went to the kitchen, I tossed the remainder in the trash and put the dishes in the dishwasher.
Hudson was standing by the door when I came out. Funnily, I was no longer concerned by his naked chest.
Well hang out after, he said.
You have no idea how long youll be, I passed by him. Dont worry about it.
Wave, he reached out and grabbed the sweatshirt Id put on, because I did not want Hudson to see me like I was the night before.
Its no big deal, I said, only allowing him to hold my arm for a few seconds. I have homework to do anyway. Ill see you at school.
He looked like he wanted to say more but Warren came out and half jumped on his back, excited at the thought of tonight. When Hudson didnt cheer along, he dropped beside him and looked between us, realization dawning.
I rolled my eyes and pretended I didnt care. Dont be late for school, losers. I all but ran for the stairs. Warren called after me but Hudson told him to leave it.
I showered, did my hair and make-up and dressed in skinny black jeans with rips on the knee and thigh, and grabbed a black tank top and fitted red shirt to go over the top. I text Joanna asking if she wanted to meet before school at Bensons Diner. She replied straight away saying yes please , so I grabbed what I needed for school and headed downstairs. There was no sign of Warren and Hudson. I grabbed the keys to the Honda from the hook in the hallway and headed out.
King was outside and glanced over as he got onto the bike. He gave me a quick nod, pulled on his helmet and drove away, the roar of the pipes on his bike deafening. The neighbours were used to it by now and no one complained. They were probably too scared to. I watched as he disappeared around the corner. There was a time when I wouldnt let him leave without a hug and a kiss.
I could not remember the last time my father held me. Or showed me any kind of affection for that matter. I didnt doubt he loved me, both of us, but for whatever reason, he struggled to show it now I was older. I felt like a second class citizen as far as his precious MC went, but now I also felt ignored, unimportant.
Mentally shaking myself I headed for the car. I didnt need him to know my own worth. Connor would tell me what was going on later anyway. That boy did not know how to hold his water.
School passed by quickly enough without anything of interest happening. I didnt have a lot of classes with Warren or Hudson because, as they both put it, I was an overachiever and mostly in AP classes. They were smart enough to join me, they just didnt put the work in. I didnt sit with them for lunch either because when I arrived at the cafeteria they had a bunch of people around, including cheerleaders I couldnt stand, so Joanna and I went to sit outside, given the weather was nice. I asked her if she wanted to come to my house to study but she had a ballet class.
Instead of going home to an empty house I decided to drive to the Sussex-Wantage Library. I never got the opportunity to go here, due to being with Warren on his bike a lot of the time, and them not wanting me to go off anywhere alone, so I figured I might as well make the most of having the car. Libraries were my happy place, all those books and knowledge in one place, and if I could find a nice quiet space I could do my homework too.
It was fairly rural where we lived, not that many things to do that didnt involve hiking or driving a fair way, but the library was only ten minutes from home and I could call in at TJs on the way home and grab some pizza.
Id been sitting at a desk working on my Civics class homework for about forty minutes when a shadow fell over me. I glanced up to see a kid I recognised from school. He was one of the soccer team players
Waverley, right?
Er, yes, I fiddled with my pen.
I havent seen you in here before, his rucksack dropped from his shoulder on to the floor, but he held on to the strap. It looked heavy, loaded up with books.
I dont get here much, I said wondering why he was talking to me.
Mind if I join you? he looked at my textbook and smiled. Were doing the same homework, maybe we could study together, is that okay?
Oh, erm, sure, thats fine.
Sweet, he sat down and began unloading everything he needed. I focused on my pad again where I was making some notes to go into the essay I was planning out. Im Nick, he cringed a little. Sorry, I should have introduced myself. I know we have a few of the same classes but I guess we havent really spoken before.
Waverley. He laughed. Right, you knew that.
Thats okay, he smiled, he had a dimple right in the centre of his left cheek when he did.
I tried not to stare because I didnt want to be rude but he was good looking. I might not have spoken to him, but I wasnt blind, a girl notices the hot jocks, even if she has nothing in common with them. Although seemed like being in advanced class and studying civics at the library was something we shared. He took out a bottle of water and a couple of protein bars, he offered me one but I declined with a polite thank you.
Well, its there if you get hungry, you should keep yourself hydrated though, can I get you a water?
Im good for now.
He gave me another smile. This essay is killer, right?
Yeah, Mr Warton definitely doesnt go easy on us.
Itll all look good on our college applications though, right. Are you applying to college?
I bristled a little. I was an MC kid, we had a certain reputation, one of which was we were dumb, or poor. I would bet my right ass cheek my house was way more expensive than his, and that my dad earned triple what his did, whether it was through illegal activity or not. We just didnt flaunt it.
Thats the plan.
He must have sensed hed mis stepped because he flushed. Im hoping to get a scholarship. But I want to get good grades, not just to ride on sports, you know? he fidgeted in his seat.
He seemed nervous. Joanna told me more than once I could be standoffish and usually had a wall up around me that people found hard to penetrate. Maybe I was giving off a vibe that made him uncomfortable.
Where have you applied? I asked, turning slightly in my seat so I was more open to the conversation. It was the right move because his smile came back and he went on to list a lot of the schools that I was interested in too.
I was surprised when the librarian came round a little later to tell us the library was closing. I hadnt realised how fast time had gone. Wed done some studying, discussed a few things we were adding to our essays, but we talked a lot too. He was nice, sweet, nothing like Id thought he would be. I guess appearances could be deceptive and while we were talking I realised Id stereotyped him, the way people did with us and felt bad about that.
We gathered up our books and headed out. It wasnt dark yet but there were only two cars in the lot, mine and the brown station wagon.
Is that your car? I asked.
No, I er, rode the bus, he looked at his watch. Should be one along in about fifteen minutes.
I could give you a ride, I said.
Really?
Of course, I laughed. Im not gonna leave you hanging around here waiting for the bus.
Thatd be great, thank you.
We headed to the car and I checked my phone. There were texts from Warren and Connor asking where I was. I put it back in my pocket. Nick gave me his address and I pulled away from the library. Before I could put the radio on my stomach grumbled, loudly.
Wow, Nick laughed. When did you last eat?
Lunch.
Waverley, its eight oclock, you should have taken one of my protein bars.
Ill be okay, I was gonna grab some pizza on the way home.
Oh, okay, he looked back through the windshield.
I side glanced at him, hoping I wasnt being too obvious. Wed had a nice time tonight, he was funny, we actually had a lot in common and I had nowhere else to be. Warren and Hudson didnt care where I was, they were off doing their own thing at the clubhouse. They only wanted to make sure I was locked up at home, alone, with no one to talk to. Well fuck them.
Do you want to come?
Nick turned to me with surprise in his eyes. I almost wanted to take it back, maybe Id read this wrong and he was only interested in doing schoolwork.
Thatd be great, he smiled.
Was he nervous? He couldnt be, he was one of the popular kids, one of the jocks, why would he be nervous about getting food with me? I smiled and continued towards the restaurant. We were there in a few minutes and went inside. It was a fast food place, where we got a table and decided to order one pie between us.
We talked more about school and he told me about his two little sisters. I didnt really talk too much about my family. What was there to say that everyone in Sussex didnt already know. But talking to him was easy, conversation flowed and there was no uncomfortable silences. We laughed a lot and I really enjoyed myself. I couldnt call this a date, but it was a nice night and I could see us doing this again. If he wanted to. I mean, if he was having fun too. My phone was vibrating in my pocket again but I ignored it. Nick noticed.
Do you need to get that?
Its probably just my brother, I rolled my eyes, Nick visibly swallowed and looked out of the window. Whats wrong?
My hackles rose because we had been having a good time, now I was starting to question if he was regretting hanging out with the MC kid. Its not like he was the first. Even though I could put up a wall, I was outgoing, fun to be around, according to my friends, but not a lot of people approached me. I figured everyone was scared of my dad.
He doesnt know youre with me?
Why would he? Its none of his business where I go or who with, I said. Warren was not my keeper and I didnt need his permission to go out and have a good time with a cute boy.
Well, because of what he told everyone.
My head snapped up. Told everyone?
About you.
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Nick leaned back in his chair. You dont know?
My eyes narrowed. Obviously not, why dont you fill me in?