Chapter 23
Lacy
After a good, long, hot shower, I went to make a pot of coffee then sat to watch TV for a while before I had to go in to work. Jeannie had already told me she’d drive me there and Eagle–Eddie–would get me later. I knew they all had road names and I always wondered what his real name was, but didn’t want to ask. Last night, without having to, he just told me. Eddie suited him better than Eagle, but I knew unless we were in private, I’d need to address him as Eagle.
I was enjoying my coffee and remembering the night with him when Jeannie shuffled down the hall. “Morning.”
“Good morning. Did I wake you?”
She yawned and answered through the cutout over the sink. “No, girl. I’m a hard sleeper until I’ve gotten my needed amount. Then my body is up.”
After she poured herself a cup of coffee, she came into the living room and sat in her spot on the other sofa. “So, saw the truck was still here when I got home.” She looked around as she sipped.
“He’s not here. Had to go to work.”
She kept staring at me and when I didn’t say anything, she waved her hand through the air. “Well?”
Grinning and feeling heat rush to my cheeks, I said, “We sort of made up.”
She kicked her feet and gave a little squeal. “Oh, thank God. But does that mean you’re leaving soon?”
Thinning my lips, I gripped my mug. “Well, not yet. I want to believe him. But it’s only been a couple of days and some grand gestures. I need to know he’s serious before I uproot again.”
“That’s right. You make him beg.”
“Oh, he begged. He was on the floor.” Thinking of how he fell to his knees nearly broke my heart when he did it, but today it made me giddy to think he was willing to literally get on his knees and plead with me.
“Ha! I love it! Let him grovel a little. But I told you he was crazy about you.” She sipped from her mug. “These guys are so dedicated to the club that they miss when something good bites them in the ass.”
“Maybe. But that’s why I need to wait this out. I can still see him, just from over here.”
“If you want to go to the clubhouse, I can always pick you up.”
“I do miss it. And Daisy. I dunno. We’ll see how the rest of the week goes. I gotta work day shift Saturday, so I don’t need to go partying Friday night.” Glancing up at the clock, I said, “Well I need to go figure out what I’m wearing later. You still good to drive me?”
“I got you. Just let me know when you’re ready to go.”
I dried and straightened my hair, then did some basic starter makeup, but I’d put the rest on once I got there.
A noise went off and I stopped sorting through tiny outfits and looked around. It happened again and I realized it was my phone. I’d been without one for so long I forgot I even had it. Rifling through my bag, I found it at the bottom and tapped the screen.
Eagle : Bring a change of clothes. We’re going out later.
Trying to fight the silly grin that spread over my face, I replied.
Me : Oh who’s bossy now?
Eagle : Miss you baby
Way to snap me out of my brattiness. I practically melted into a puddle. I considered leaving him on read, but my romantic heart couldn’t help itself.
Me : I miss you
Swiping away from the message, I realized the phone was nearly dead. I hadn’t plugged it in since I got it. It would take some getting used to. When I got trapped by Tony, he took everything I had so I hadn’t had one for a long time. Close to a year between that and the time I’d been at the clubhouse.
Once I found the charger in the box it came in, and he had the sense to include a block for it, I plugged it in and went back to finding my outfit.
After having a snack and asking Jeannie if I could borrow a cute dress for later, I packed up my things and we headed to the club.
“Date night, huh? I wonder where he’s taking you.”
“Not sure. He just said have a change of clothes. He tried to take me out last night but it was all still up in the air and I looked like I just worked a shift at a strip club,” I said with a laugh.
“He probably wouldn’t care if you had pajamas on. You’re his woman, so you can look however you want.”
“I’m not his woman. He hasn’t claimed me.” We were in a much different place than just last week, but he never said that. Just another reason to take this slow.
Jeannie scoffed. “You’re so delusional. These guys don’t wax poetic, Lacy. He was on his knees. That’s him telling you he wants you.”
Shrugging, I said, “They also have their code. They claim their women, then when it’s serious and forever, they patch them in.”
“So you need him to exclaim it like a caveman? Because that’s how they are. And why is that so fucking hot?”
I giggled. “I wish I knew. I’d be better off if I didn’t think it was but, shit...it just is.”
“Mmmhmm.”
She pulled around, and unlucky for me, Butch was at the door. “Great.”
“Oh he’s harmless. But I wouldn’t mention Eagle to him. Their egos are as big as they are, if not bigger.”
“He shouldn’t have fought with Eagle about me. It was just shitty. Eagle wouldn’t say what happened, but it was over me.”
“Yeah, but they’re all wound up still over Raven and all the shit going on. When tensions are high, even the best of friends get stupid with each other.”
“I guess so.” I didn’t have a lot of close friends over the years, but the ones I did never fought like that. But men were different I supposed. Women held onto grudges where men could usually duke it out then be best buds again.
Grabbing my bag that included my outfit, dress, platforms, and the sandals Jeannie let me borrow for the dress, I told her thanks for the ride, then headed inside. I smiled as I passed Butch and asked, “How’s it going?”
He didn’t say anything but crossed his arms, blowing out a plume of smoke. I waved my hand through it and went for the door. At least he didn’t say anything, I guess.
A few girls were already there hanging in the dressing room and I plopped down at an open vanity.
“Knock, knock,” Rayne said from the door.
“Hey, how’s it going?”
He came in and leaned on the wall next to the mirror I was using. “Good. So, tell me everything.”
I smiled but kept working on my makeup and watching myself in the mirror. “You mean Eagle?”
“Girl, yes. He was intense.”
“He’s not normally like that.” I finally looked over at him. “We were sort of…not fighting exactly. And not really broken up because we weren’t really together. Hard to explain.”
“He seemed to think you were together. I know that machismo stance anywhere. Try being a gay man at a club. Testerone and egos as far as the eye can see.” He smirked. “So yummy.”
“It can be. It can also be a bit much.” I looked around. “Is Butch so pushy with all the girls?”
Rayne’s perfectly sculpted brows pinched. “Pushy? He mostly ignores them. Why, what did he do?”
I waved it off. “Nothing. Just seemed weird showing me around yesterday but I guess he was just throwing his weight around.”
“Maybe. But all the bikers here are so serious all the time. They could use a good stick up their ass.”
I cocked my head. “You mean they act like they got a stick up their ass?”
“No, honey. If they had a good stick up their ass, they wouldn’t be so uptight. Look at me,” he said as he waved his hand down his front. “All smiles and light as a feather. I lift a lot though, so I can still hold my own with them. Gyms are great for picking up men.”
“You’re too much, Rayne.”
“Don’t I know it. If someone can’t handle me, they can go find less elsewhere. Anyway, hope you had a fun night. I need to go work on the set.”
“I did. Thanks for walking me out.”
He blew an air kiss then waved at the other girls and left. I got back to fixing my face and donning my outfit. Nothing from any specific fantasy–some very tiny shimmery shorts with a matching thong underneath, a pink halter with sequins, and a matching garter.
Mama Hen poked her head in and face lit up when she saw me. “Lacy, honey!” She came over and I stood up, already in my platforms, so I towered over her, and she squeezed me. “Sorry I missed you yesterday. How was your first day?”
My heart was swelling. It had only been a few days since I’d seen her, but she had become such a constant for me. I missed her almost as much as Daisy. “It went well, I think. You get a good day crowd.”
“Oh yeah. Location, location, location. And how are other things?” she asked, looking up at me through her lashes.
Grinning, I said, “Better, I think. Still a little shaky, but better. I miss you,” I crooned as I hugged her again. Squeezing my eyes shut, I fought back a little sob trying to escape. Seeing her just reminded me of the family I’d built at the clubhouse and I hadn’t seen or spoken to them in days.
“I miss you, too, sweet girl.” She patted my cheek and winked. “Hopefully he’ll get his head out of his ass and you’ll be back home where you belong soon.”
Home. Where I belonged. Clearing my throat to get the lump to move, I backed away and Mama Hen went and spoke to the other girls. I sat back down and dug my phone from my bag. I’d written Daisy’s number down and Jeannie had it saved. I hoped I could remember it.
I tapped the screen to open it and clicked the text app, staring at the place to enter a number. Typing different numbers a few times, I couldn’t remember them all in the right order. I didn’t want to accidentally text someone that wasn’t her. I was about to just give up, but then I decided to check something, just in case. Opening the contacts, there she was, along with him, Jeannie, Mama Hen, Falcon, and Hawk. He made sure I could reach my friends and those who could help me, besides him of course.
Me : Hey girl! It’s Lacy! I miss you!
Daisy : I miss you! Is this your phone? Saving it!
Me : Yes! Eagle gave it to me.
Daisy : Oh…should I stop being a raging bitch or are we still letting him suffer?
Me : You’ve been mean to him? I’m the one who left.
Daisy : Yeah because he’s an idiot.
Me : I love you so much lol But maybe cut him a little slack. He got on his knees…
Daisy : As he should. I don’t think I can forgive him until you come home.
There it was again. Was it my home? Everything was screaming yes, but I was trying to learn from past mistakes and take Mama Hen’s advice–know my worth.
Me : Maybe I’ll come by soon. But I’m going to stay with Jeannie a little while to be sure.
Daisy : Oh! I heard you got a job! How do you like it?
Me : I like it! Started on days which isn’t bad. In fact, I’m here now and need to stop chatting! Just wanted to say hey and let you know this is my number!
Daisy : Make that money, girl! And seriously COME SEE ME! Miss you!
Me : Miss you!
I put my phone away and took one last look in the mirror, a genuine smile brightening my features. Things still weren’t perfect but they were getting closer than I’ve ever felt.