5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
W arren was pacing back and forth at the end of the bed. He was so angry he was going to have an aneurysm if he wasnt careful. Connor sat by the headboard drinking his third beer. I wasnt sure his plan to keep Warren occupied by getting him drunk was the best way to deal with him. It was making him angrier. He needed to snap out of it. Wave was taking a stand over this. At this point, I wasnt sure how much she actually liked this guy or if she was using him to prove her point.
Id asked around, and from what I knew personally about Nick Wilkinson, he wasnt that bad. He was on the soccer team, hung out mostly with his teammates, kept to himself. But he was a jock, I had seen him with girls, but no more than me or Warren.
Warren was openly seething, Connor was a little bit concerned but was letting Wave live her own life while keeping an eye on Warren. He had already threatened to crash her date twice, saying he wanted to go to the drive in to see the new movie. That was bullshit. Warren had never been to the drive-in in his life and he didnt want to start now.
MeI was quietly trying not to let my imagination run away with me. Sure, Waverley mentioned sucking a dick the other night, I was sure she wasnt going to do it, not on her first date. She was still Waverley, even if she had been pissed and trying to get a rise out of us.
Ever since she helped me move out of my house the other day, Id been thinking about her. How she pushed aside her own anger to be there for me. She understood completely why it was so hard to leave that house without having to mention my mom.
I thought back to two days ago as Warren and Connor started bickering about some shit I had no interest in.
Shed skipped the whole day to support me, a first for her. Rosa helped us move everything in and got me settled in the room that used to be Ransoms. Ballistic was at the compound and wouldnt be back till really late. It was bigger than my room at home, with a double bed and walk in closet and my own bathroom.
Theyd taken everything personal out so I could make it my own, but all Id brought with me were clothes, toiletries and a few pictures of mom. It was sparce even with my stuff in it and it felt weird, but I was grateful to them.
Id ended up texting Warren to let him know Waverley was okay because he was losing his shit when he couldnt find her at school, and she flat out refused to respond to him. Shed closed off a little bit after that, but Rosa had kept us busy for the afternoon.
Rosa was cool and when Wave went to the bathroom I helped her carry the dishes out to the kitchen, shed turned to look at me, appraising me.
What? I asked.
Youre a good kid, Hudson.
I should have known this was coming. The chat about how I was different from my dad, that I had potential and was going to make something of myself.
But you have a curfew, I want you home every night by eleven, no girls in your room and you will get a list of chores to pull your weight. You treat this house with respect and you do as we tell you.
Huh? my mouth dropped open. A curfew? Is she insane?
Rosa kept her face straight for about ten seconds, then cackled and pointed at me. The look on your face.
It took me a few moments to realize she was fucking with me. Very funny, I grunted.
Too easy, she slapped her hand on my shoulder as she walked past me, she was a tiny little thing and had to reach up to touch my shoulder. Only thing I wont tolerate is noise when Im trying to sleep, that is what the clubhouse is for. Oh and girls. I dont need to be hearing a seventeen-year-old kid fumbling his way into some girls pants. Keep that at the clubhouse too.
I was smiling as I sat at the table with a glass of water, when I looked up and noticed Waverley standing in the doorway. The sleeves of her shirt were clenched in her fists, and she was looking anywhere but at me, her cheeks pink. Obviously, she heard that. We knew what went on at the clubhouse where girls were concerned.
Shit, even Id witnessed live action porno a time or two. Some of the brothers didnt bother going to their rooms when they wanted a girl. It was gross watching older guys rutting into the young girls who hung around and wed always made ourselves scarce when it started.
The thought of doing it made my skin itch. The thought of Waverley thinking Id do it had my stomach bottoming out. I wasnt like that, I didnt want her to think I would do that. But I couldnt say anything. So I just looked at her, until she raised her head.
I need to go. Joanna took notes from my classes and got me my homework.
Oh, sure. Er, thanks for today. I appreciate it.
No problem.
We stared at each other for a few seconds, until it got awkward.
Okay, well, Im back to being mad at you, she narrowed her eyes at me. Unless you convince Warren to leave me alone.
Doubtful. But Ill try.
She winked at me then and spun around, giving Rosa a hug and kiss, she left me there watching after her. Watching her ass in those jeans and how her hips swayed as she walked.
Danger, danger, Rosa blurted, seeing where my attention lay. Oh kid, you better be careful.
I dont know what youre talking about, I leaned away when she tried to ruffle my hair.
Sure you dont, Rosa looked after Waverley, a slow smile spreading across her lips. She has grown into a beautiful woman.
I shrugged like I hadnt noticed. Shes my friend.
Hmm.
I didnt protest again, it would just be playing into her hands. She said dinner would be ready at six and let me leave without further comment and I left to pick up my bike.
Now, the more I watched Warren getting agitated, the more the feelings inside me started roiling. It was more than just protecting her from the pricks in school. It was something I really didnt want to identify. Jealousy. That was what I felt, and I didnt like it.
You heard from your dad?
I lifted my head, trying to shake off the irritated feelings the more I thought about Nick Wilkinson having Waverley in an enclosed space, just the two of them, all alone. What?
Your dad, Connor repeated.
No.
I hadnt told anyone hed messaged me when hed gotten home and sobered up, realising I was gone. He was shocked about finding my room emptied out. I didnt answer him, instead I lay in a strange bed, staring at the ceiling for most of the night, worrying about what this was doing to my dad. Another night passed and then I got a second message. All it said was, Sorry.
The next morning Ballistic and another guy from the club picked him up from the house and took him to some rehab center in upstate New York. He wouldnt be able to contact me. Theyd paid for three months of treatment, paid off his debts and someone was fixing up our house.
I wasnt sure it was worth it. Rehab wouldnt bring mom back and that was the crux of dads issues. He could get cleaned up, have a fresh start but once the night settled in and he was alone again, I didnt think hed be able to help himself. Especially with me gone too. I could only hope hed try. Because unless he did, our relationship would be broken beyond repair.
Sucks, Connor muttered, looking away.
Hed never even known his family. Hed been dumped at a hospital hours after being born, they suspected to an underage girl, he was put into the system and moved around foster homes until he ended up with the Rochesters next door to Warren and Waverley.
I shrugged. It is what it is. I got up, stretched my arms up. Lets just go downstairs. Its pointless sitting here getting all worked up. Shell be fine.
Good call, Connor got up and grabbed his wallet and phone, shoving them into his jeans pocket.
You dont know that, Warren said.
Fucks sake, Warren, let it go, I snapped.
What did you say to me? he whirled on me, his lip curled in a snarl.
I said let it go, I stood up straight, squaring up to him. Nothing you do or say is going to stop this now. Just leave her to get on with it.
You telling me this doesnt piss you off?
Yes . But not for the reasons he was thinking. If you would take a second to think about it, youd realize letting her do this is the best way for her to figure out what dicks those guys in school are.
What is that supposed to mean?
Reverse psychology, Connor said. I like where your brain is going.
Shut the fuck up, Warren said to Connor, then whirled back to me. You think Im gonna let some piece of shit treat her like crap to prove something to her.
He might not treat her like crap, I hated saying that, but it was true. What if he is a good guy, who treats her right.
Bullshit, theres no such thing. I should know.
Not everyone is a swarthy Italian stud with a huge dick and an ego to match.
Warren and I both looked at Connor. He held out his hands as if to say it was true.
You better not be looking at my dick, Warren said.
Connor just burst out laughing and grabbed a pack of cigarettes. He lit one up and blew smoke at the ceiling. Huds right, this is boring. You should just go downstairs and get that big ol dick of yours sucked. Take your mind off it. There is a new girl, kind of shy, blonde, huge tits. Shell keep you occupied. Ill even be a good friend and let you use my room if you dont want an audience.
Warren glared at Connor, the two of them had a silent standoff. This was irritating me.
I sighed. Dude, do you know what, if you want to spend your night up here worrying like some fucking grandma, feel free. Im leaving.
I walked out without waiting for him to reply. I was over this. I didnt go to the bar, I left through the front door and got on my bike, riding out of the compound without looking back. I didnt need to sit and hear them speculating about what Waverley was doing or watch Warren if he did decide to partake of a club whore, even though we werent supposed to yet.
I rode around for a while, somehow ending up on the street outside my house, drawn back like a magnet. It had only been three days, so I was surprised to see scaffolding at the side of the building, half of the roof had been repaired with new tile. The porch railing was replaced, and the steps were being rebuilt.
Jesus, Ballistic wasnt kidding when he said he intended to straighten my dad out. It gave me a little bit of hope dad would come home a better person. Maybe Id be able to come back.
A bigger part of me knew that was wishful thinking.
If you dont get your hopes up, you cant be disappointed, that was my motto. A shit one, for sure, but one Id come to live by. I left after ten minutes of staring at the house, remembering everything that happened there over the years wasnt good for me.
Ballistic was at the house when I got back. We had a beer together in the kitchen and I asked him about the house and dad. He told me not to dwell on it, but showed me the place where hed sent dad, and I didnt need to worry about the assholes he owed money to. Then he changed the subject to what I was going to do after graduation.
Ransom was never interested in joining the club, he said, leaning back in his chair. Hed taken off his cut when he got home. I didnt think it was a rule of Rosas per se, but this place was away from the compound and somewhere he could switch off. He said he wanted to go to college and then hed come back, he pointedly looked at me.
Not sure Im cut out for college, I said honestly.
It isnt for everyone, he said.
I didnt know how much he was aware of what Waverley wanted, we didnt tend to talk too much at the clubhouse. If Id learned one thing about Ballistic over the years, it was that he listened and stored things away. He seemed to know everything.
It worked for Ransom, and in the end it worked for the club. He isnt a member, but he works for us. In fact, hes an integral part of the Devils Chaos, he runs everything outside of club business now.
Its not the same as being a part of it though.
His brows went up and down in understanding. No, but its an important cog in the wheel. There is a lot more to the MC than what you see on the surface.
Yeah?
Its a business, like any other, with a CEO and a board. You dont get a few guys with motorcycles to ride around and call it good. There are clubs like that out there, sure. All they want to do is ride, but with an MC like the Devils, a lot more goes into it. You dont see it but King strategizes, he invests and he does it well. Everything at that compound is down to how he runs the club. He knows what people are worth and what their strengths are. And if it is as a member or someone on the outside who works alongside us, he considers them a part of it.
That was the most I ever heard Ballistic say all in one go. I got the feeling this little chat meant more than what he was saying on the surface too.
It isnt just about members, its everyone involved. Hes working hard to make it a safe place for families. He doesnt want anyone to worry about their kids and what might happen to them. He picks and chooses the right people to join. I know hes been watching you and Warren closely. You and everyone else probably think its a given Warren will be invited to Prospect, but King will treat him the same way he treats everyone he invites in.
Does that mean there is a chance he wont? I asked, my eyes widening.
No, Warren is a good kid, hed be a valuable member. If Waverley had been born a boy, shed have been in too. Shes tough, knows her mind and shes smart. Shame shes a girl.
Dont let her hear you say that.
Ballistic laughed shocking the shit out of me. It just brought it home Waverley would always be on the outside. She kept saying she was going to lose us and we waved it off, but what if she was right? Rosa was an old lady, she knew more about the club than she was supposed to.
Some old ladies were like that, especially the ones married to officers. They had been around a long time and knew when to keep their mouths shut. They were loyal, just like the brothers, but I wasnt sure Waverley would ever let that be enough for her.
Is it what you want? he asked, finishing off his beer. To be a part of it?
I nodded without hesitation.
Why?
I thought about the question for a minute, fiddling with the label on the bottle of beer.
I guess its the idea of being a part of something bigger than me. Its a family, Ive seen first-hand how the brothers look out for each other. There is always someone to have your back no matter how low you sink or how high you reach.
I kept my gaze on the table, thinking about everything the club had done for my dad in the last few days.
I know people think of MCs as bad places and that anyone who wears the cut must be a bad person, but some of the best people I know are Devils. King has created a place that people respect, even if they fear it a little. I want to be a part of that. I want to be a part of that family.
Good. That was all he said. I almost laughed but he was staring at me with those hard cold eyes. Good, he repeated as he rose and put our bottles into a recycling bin, then wished me goodnight and left.
I heard Rosa giggling a few minutes later and the sound of them heading upstairs. At least their bedroom was on the other side of the house to mine. As gross as the thought of it was, seeing Ballistic and Rosa together sparked something inside of me. It also reiterated a lot of what Ballistic just said to me. Family mattered to the Devils and the women, although not allowed to be involved in business, were respected too. At least the old ladies were, not the club girls.
I stayed downstairs, turning the music up enough to not overhear anything I didnt want to hear but not enough that Rosa would kick my ass for it.
It was nearing eleven when my phone vibrated. I pulled it out of my pocket and frowned when I saw it was from Waverley. Waverley: Im home, Im safe and he was a perfect gentleman. Tell my asshole brother he was wrong. I laughed to myself. She must have thought I was with Warren, which meant he hadnt gone home. Connor had probably got him wasted. I didnt think he would have gone with a club girl, unless he was really fucked up. I thought about what I wanted to say in response to her text. If he was a perfect gentleman did that mean hed kept his hands to himself, opened the door for her Kissed her goodnight?
I started to type, asking if she intended to go out with him again but figured that was overstepping this newfound understanding we had. I also didnt want to know. My imagination was doing enough to mess with my head. So instead, I kept it simple. Hudson: Goodnight x Waverley: Night, H x
Over the next three weeks, I settled in to Ballistic and Rosas place, they left me to my own devices but were around if I needed anything. Rosa worked from home doing accounting and bookkeeping. She didnt do it for the club, they had their own accountant and the club Secretary worked alongside them.
Rosa worked for a couple of small businesses in town, it wasnt a full time job but she said it kept her out of trouble. Her other time was spent at the clubhouse, I didnt know what she did there officially but she did look after the big house on the compound where the wives and girlfriends stayed. There was a lot more kids nowadays, she looked after them too for anyone who worked full-time but she hated the idea of having them in her own house.
Waverley spent more time with Wilkinson, much to Warrens annoyance. It started out slowly, theyd chat at her locker, hed meet her for coffee in the morning. Then he began sitting with her at lunch, they went on study dates to the library. He picked her up to go out for food at the weekend. Every time Warren seethed but he was getting used to the idea, plus Nick hadnt done anything to make it feasible for us to rip his head off.
I didnt like watching her with him. If I saw them at her locker, I turned in the opposite direction, especially after I saw him kiss her once. It wasnt a lewd kiss, it was a peck on the lips, but the way she looked at him made my fists clench. It was wrong. Wave was my friend. But I was getting tenser the closer she got to the asshole.
To compensate Id hooked up with a girl at a party, Wave was there with Nick and I didnt want to examine too deeply why Id grabbed the first girl who gave me a sultry look and dragged her upstairs. I spent about an hour in the bedroom with her. I didnt fuck her, for whatever reason, I still wasnt ready to go there. But I ate her out for almost a half hour and she gave me a stellar blow job in return.
When I came back downstairs, Wave was with Joanna in the kitchen, drinking from red solo cups. Warren was hovering, but he had a girl under his arm, her hand was up inside of his t-shirt and she was nibbling at his neck. I didnt see Nick anywhere, but Waverley definitely noticed me coming back into the kitchen, the girl Id been with was clinging to me. Shed arched a brow at me and I just smirked back then turned away, but not before I noticed a strange look cross Waverleys face. I didnt see Nick again, Wave left a little while later with Joanna.
What happened to asshat? I asked Warren once Id made my way through the crowds to where he was sitting with a group of other MC kids, the girl long gone.
He has a game tomorrow or something, his body is a temple and all that shit.
Like you dont do the same thing before your games, I laughed. She get home okay?
Connor picked them up.
I nodded, glad for that. I left soon after, not feeling it anymore, even though the girl from earlier kept hounding me, wanting to sit in my lap and asking me all kinds of personal shit I did not want to disclose. I didnt know what it was, but I was constantly agitated. Id put it down to everything with my dad, the new place, him not being around and not being able to speak to him.
If I was being honest, I was getting more irritated with Waverley and this guy. Luckily, she didnt bring him around to hang out with us. Im not sure I could handle that shit. I was seeing less and less of her and that was bothering me too.
I was leaving school late the following Monday after my guitar lesson. I kept it under wraps because I didnt want to be made fun of, but music was one of the lessons I actually enjoyed. Mr. Trevane, the music teacher said I was naturally gifted and he loved jamming with me. As I walked down the hallway towards the main entrance, I noticed Waverley at her locker, she was leaning one shoulder against it and holding a piece of paper in her hand.
Wave? I started over to her, not sure why she was in school, although she was involved in a ridiculous amount of extracurricular activities. She jumped when she heard me and her head came up. Her eyes were red, like shed been trying not to cry and my heart jumped into my throat. I hurried over and grabbed her arm. Whats wrong?
Nothing, she screwed up the paper and tried to put it in her pocket.
What is that?
Nothing, Hudson, just leave it alone, she snapped and turned away from me.
I watched for a moment then hurried after her. Dont tell me its nothing, clearly its something.
Can you just take me home?
My lips parted. She didnt have her car?
Warren gave me a ride today, the car wouldnt start.
I only have my bike.
She breathed in and out heavily. She shook her head and started walking again. I grabbed her shoulder. I wasnt going to leave her like this. Problem was, having a woman ride on your bike meant a lot in the MC. You didnt just give any girl a ride on your bike, if you did, it was a statement. The first step in claiming a woman.
It was an antiquated, sexist kind of tradition but it was one that had stuck and been ingrained. Id seen grown men beat the shit out of each other for having a woman that didnt belong to them on their bike. If Warren saw me, hed lose his shit, before we got a chance to explain.
She needed to get out of here, so the rule didnt matter to me right now.
Come on, lets go. But youre going to explain this when we get back to your place.
She looked away from me but fell into step when we walked to the parking lot. I kept glancing at her, she was holding her arms around her stomach, like she was trying to protect herself and I didnt like it. I got the feeling I was going to be kicking someones ass.
Is this about Nick? I asked when we reached the bike.
Not now, she glanced back at the school. Can we just leave?
I stared at her, my eyes switching back and forth on hers. She never lost eye contact but hers were pleading with me not to push this now. Fucking hell. Fine.
I handed her my helmet because I only had one, and Id be damned if I was giving the Presidents daughter a ride on my bike without making sure she was protected. She slipped it on and tightened the strap as I climbed on the bike and scooched forward so she could get on behind me. She knew what she was doing, shed been riding on Warrens bike for as long as hed owned it.
Id never had a girl ride with me. The first rule of riding on the back of the bike was holding on tight, no exceptions, if you were going be tentative and nervous, you shouldnt be there. Her thighs pressed up against mine and her arms came around my waist as I started the bike. She was wearing a fucking skirt too which I was all the more aware of when I felt the heat of her pressed to the small of my back and all I could think about was the fact her panties might be touching my ass.
It was the longest ride of my life, especially as her hands kept flexing over my stomach as we moved with the bike when I went around corners. Id never been more relieved, yet disappointed to arrive somewhere in my life. Waverley climbed off and smoothed her skirt down, she ran a hand over her hair to tame it from the helmet after she passed it back to me.
Thanks, she mumbled and turned to walk away.
Nope, I got off the bike. Fortunately, the semi Id started to sport had gone down as I focused on the road, but I still adjusted myself while she wasnt looking. Inside, explain.
I followed her into the house. She went straight to the kitchen and pulled a Pepsi from the fridge. She passed me the piece of paper shed screwed up and I opened it.
I read through a list of names and figures, and when I finally realized what it was, my head nearly exploded in rage.