Chapter 5 Autumn
On the Other Side of Town . . .
The streets were littered with people from all over the city.
Tonight was bike night in Downtown Detroit, where all the motorcycle crews got together to showcase their bikes and race for cash prizes.
There were even old-school cars shining brightly and sitting on big wheels.
The streets were blocked off from Chene Street all the way down to Antiem, and the women and men mingled and drank from red cups.
Typically, I wouldn’t be caught dead out here, but since meeting Kenzi and being around her and her fiancé, I’d grown to like coming to the events sometimes.
Usually, I wouldn’t come without her, but her sister-in-law, Weslei, invited me, so I made it my business to email my clients to hold all after-hour sessions for tonight.
Willow was at my side, looking like she was ready to jump out of my car and run away. She may have come to one or two parties at the Motor City Rebels clubhouse, but she wasn’t too fond of the bike world. I understood, but the MCRs always made us feel safe, welcome, and protected.
I pulled into the designated parking space that the Motor City Rebels kept open for me and shut off the engine. Willow looked around before her eyes came to me.
“This looks gang-affiliated.”
I shook my head and laughed. “You watch too many movies.”
“I really don’t. Why couldn’t we go to Sexy Steak for drinks? Why here?”
“Weslei invited me. And the crews the MCR roll with are cool, from what I know. I don’t think they’re a part of a gang.”
“We’re two successful doctors in the middle of this ruckus. You better be glad this is our bestie’s husband’s crew, or I would have told you heck no.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. My best friend was way too valley girl and proper, but that was what I loved about her. “Say hell, Will. Hell.”
“I will do no such thing.”
“Anyway, we’re only going to stay to watch the races, then we’re leaving. We’ve been working hard all week, and I need this night out. Just relax, have a drink, watch the races with me, then we can leave.”
“I know how this goes, ma’am. Let’s go.” Willow stepped out of the car, and I followed her, heading over to the big tent that was set up under the tree. When Weslei saw us, she smiled and headed in our direction.
“Hey, chicas! I’m glad y’all could make it,” she said, hugging us both.
“Yeah, gotta represent for our girl,” I replied.
“I know. I miss her already.”
“We do too,” Willow agreed.
“Y’all want something to eat or drink? We still have some food left,” Weslei offered.
“What do you guys have?” Willow asked.
“Wine coolers, tequila, vodka, cognac, and any chaser you’d like. For food options, we have ribs, burgers, chicken for the meat; baked beans, greens, potato salad, mac, and yams.”
Willow nodded. “I’ll take a wine cooler.”
“And I’ll take a Patrón margarita,” I answered.
“Okay. Y’all can sit anywhere, and I’ll be right back.” Willow and I took a seat, and I smiled, looking around at all the fancy cars and bikes.
“What’s up, ladies?” Jaxson asked, walking over to us.
Willow spoke first. “Hello, Jaxson.”
“Hey, Jax,” I replied. He gave us both a hug before taking a seat at the table.
“Shit much. Missing my brothers and Kenz being here with us, but other than that, shit is all good.”
“I hear that,” I said. “She’s excited about the new baby. I know she can’t wait to spoil it.” I laughed.
“Definitely going to rot that baby out. She doesn’t know when enough is enough when it comes to Sage and Sade.”
I laughed. “And you know why. My good sis wants a family. I’m sure we’ll be welcoming another baby Santana right after the wedding.”
“Ain’t no doubt about it,” he replied with a laugh. Weslei returned with our drinks just when they announced the races were about to begin.
“Come on. I got us the best seats in the house for this,” Jaxson said, and we all stood and followed him to where the starting line was located.
“Which one is our crew?” I asked.
Willow giggled. “Not you talking about our crew.”
“We reppin’ Rebels all day, sis!” I exclaimed, throwing up the M with one hand and a C with the other.
Jaxson and Weslei laughed.
“Period, pooh!” Weslei yelled, and we all laughed.
“To answer your question, the one with the gold and red bike is us. That’s Ethan. Best rider we got on the squad,” Jaxson replied.
“Let’s go, Ethan. Whew!” I yelled, making Jaxson and everyone around us chuckle. A guy with way too many face tattoos walked up to us with a big bowl in his hands.
“Aye, we got the pot going. Y’all in?” he asked.
“How much is the bet?” Willow asked.
“Only twenty. Sumn light.” He shrugged.
“I put a hunnid on my people,” Jaxson said, tossing a hundred-dollar bill in the pot. “When we win, I’ll split the pot with y’all.”
“I could use a little extra cash. Let’s go, Mr. Ethan!” Willow yelled out.
“Willow, please!” I exclaimed while we all cracked the hell up.
It was a little after 9 p.m. when it was time for Willow and me to leave.
The Rebels won the bike race, and we earned a hundred dollars from the pot.
Willow loosened up a little after seeing a few races, which I was happy about because my good sis needed to get out more.
We ended up staying to see the car race, then decided it was time for us to go.
“I’m gon’ have Ethan and Herb follow y’all,” Jaxson said once we made it back to my car. I could see Willow look at Ethan while he was staring at her and smiled.
“That’s not necessa—” I started, but he cut me off.
“It’s very necessary. Make sure you hit Wes up and let her know y’all made it,” he said with finality.
I tossed my palms up in surrender. I knew one thing: Hanging around Kenzi and the MCR would always come with some type of protection. I wasn’t going to argue with him, even though I didn’t want these people I didn’t fully know to know where I lived.
“Fine. See you later, Weslei. Thanks for inviting us,” I said, giving her a hug.
“Yeah, I surprisingly had fun,” Willow countered.
“No problem, loves. Thank y’all for coming. I’m glad y’all enjoyed yourselves, and I’m sure Kenzi will have y’all back here in no time.” She giggled.
I laughed. “I don’t doubt it. See ya. Thanks for the plate, Jax.”
“You got it.” He kissed my cheek, then signaled Ethan and Herb to follow me. I got inside my car, started the engine, and pulled out of the parking space.
“Thanks for coming with me, Will. I told you it would be fun.”
“It was alright. The highlight was Jaxson’s food, of course.”
I laughed and shook my head. “Yeah, that man sure can cook. What’s up with you and Ethan, though?” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing. I’m just saying, you can’t stay a virgin forever.”
“Who the heck says I’m a virgin?”
My head swung over to look at her. “Oh, you’re not? I know you aren’t keeping secrets, miss thang!”
“I’m not. I just prefer not to say. Anyhoo, don’t you try to play matchmaker either. I don’t want a guy who’s affiliated with the biker world. I heard too many horror stories behind that. They treat their women like property.”
“The Rebels are not like that. They are against war and drugs. They give back to the community, and I heard they are building better homes over here on the East Side. Do you really think Ruger treats Kenzi like property?”
“He doesn’t, but he’s the president, so I’m sure he gets to do whatever he wants.”
I laughed at her. “You really have a lot to learn, babes. They handle their business if things get out of hand, but they don’t initiate problems. The problems usually come to them.”
“And how do you know all of this?”
“Hello, is our best friend not about to marry the guy who started this?”
“I guess you have a point. But still. I’m not interested.”
I shrugged and smiled. “You don’t have to be, but we both know you are.”
She waved me off, and we both laughed. It only took me thirty-five minutes to get home since I lived in Madison Heights. I pulled into my driveway and got out.
“Thank you, gentlemen!” I yelled over the loud sound of their engines roaring. They saluted us and pulled away.
“I love you, bestie! Call me!”
“Will do.”
I watched her go to her car before taking my ass in the house and shutting the door.
I hated how quiet my house was, and I hated it even more when my baby wasn’t with me. I kicked off my shoes while simultaneously pulling out my phone to call Chris to see her, but an incoming call from Kenzi halted my plans.
I hurried and answered. “Hey, love! How’s everything going? Please don’t tell me she had the baby already.”
I heard her sigh before she spoke. “I don’t even know what to say or where to start.”
“Uh-oh. Let me sit down for this.”
“Yeah, you may have to do that.”
I walked into my living room and took a seat. “Okay. I’m listening.”
“We went to a barbecue Nichelle’s family was having at a park, and she was there, being a little too friendly with this guy she claims is her childhood best friend, which my brother knew nothing about. And get this: He’s part of a biker club here in Tennessee.”
I gasped. “Really? Did your brother see this?”
“Yes! And he’s pissed. The fact that she was defending him, acting like she didn’t want to leave, and let him touch her stomach while calling her love, is what really has him and me fucked up. Autumn, I don’t want to think it, but I think the baby may not belong to my brother.”
“Wait, Kenz. Let’s not make assumptions, and don’t say that around your brother. What makes you think that anyway?”
“It’s the connection I saw between them. Ghana asked her to leave, and she sat, debating with him, instead of reading the damn room. She knows how my brother is and still wanted to challenge him. The nigga even touched her stomach in front of him. Real disrespectful.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, wow. Autumn, if I came down here, expecting a niece, and I don’t get one, I’m slapping the dumb out of her ass.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that. My friends and I may have been doctors, but when that lab coat came off, it was a different story.
I knew how much Kenzi looked forward to welcoming her niece into the world and even went down a month early to be with her brother, so hearing this put a damper on my mood.
“I’m sorry to hear this, toots. Just give her a chance. She may not have done anything with that man. He could very well be just her friend.”
“Psh. I’ll believe it if the baby comes out looking like us.
” She huffed. “Autumn, if it turns out my brother isn’t the father, I’m bringing him home, and I need you to treat him.
I would do it, but we’re too emotionally connected, and he won’t listen to me.
I just need you to do me this one favor. I’ll pay you.”
“No favors, friend. If you need me to treat him, I will. And no money is required either. You already don’t let us pay for our office space. The least I can do is treat him for you.”
“Thank you. Let’s just hope I’m tripping, and it’s not true. The last thing he needs is another person against him.”
“Right. I’m always here if you need me, Kenzi.”
“I know. You’re the best. Now, tell me something good to get this feeling off my chest.”
I smiled and told her about my night out with the MCR. I prayed that things would be okay for my friend. With their family history, I hoped to God that woman was being faithful to that man. Or else I feared what would happen and that Kenzi couldn't stop it.