Chapter 7
Jules
I watch Violet sprint toward the door, stopping long enough to fist bump Rider as her brother yells after her that he’s going to use his sirens.
“I’m not losing, Violent! Mom will fucking freak out if I tell her its too spicy!” The door slams behind them and half the clubhouse has moved to the windows to watch Violet peel out, then Moss.
“Sibling relationships are weird,” Chewy says, ignoring Blanche staring at her.
I try to hide my smile. My siblings and I are like any other group of siblings. Except our hobbies tend to run a little less vanilla, I guess. Thinking about my siblings is a great way to get my cock to go down after watching Violet jiggle her way out the door. She throws me into a tailspin. My body is attracted to her body, because fuck me, she’s built like a wet dream. Any man alive would look at her and feel themselves stiffen. Then my mind takes over and reminds me that she has a boyfriend, and a mouth and attitude that I’d rather not take on. Besides, I’m not a one woman man. That just invites trouble into your life. The thought of trusting one person, not only to have your back but with your heart? What if they die? What if they betray you? No thanks. I’ll stick to groups of women with no expectations other than a good fuck.
Shaking off my thoughts I glance over to where Pops is trying to make Juno laugh by blowing raspberries onto her fat belly. I think she likes it, her hands are waving and her legs are kicking, but her face is its usual mask of RBF. I’m sure other people would be concerned that their kid doesn’t smile much. Not me. Or at least it wasn’t me until last week when I fed her breakfast. After she had finished sucking the bottle dry she pushed the teet out with her tongue and then smiled. She smiled. At me. Her face lit up and her gummy, drooly mouth smiled wide and it made me feel like I’d been kicked in the chest. I’ve felt that feeling a few times since she came into my care. I’m still not too sure what the fuck it means, but I think it may mean that maybe I’m not completely screwing this up. She’s warm, fed, clean and has a home. She also has a loud, bossy woman in her corner helping her to grow up right, and my family and the club. With that kind of support she has a chance to grow into a normal, well adjusted adult. I think.
Moving closer I lean over Pops’ shoulder, catching Juno’s attention. She smiles widely, kicking and waving like crazy, making loud baby noises that a couple of months ago would have pissed me off.
“Why the fuck does she smile at your ugly mug -” Pops whines before putting on a high pitched voice, “-and not my handsome face, huh, sweetheart?”
“Pops, we look the same. Calling him ugly is like calling yourself ugly,” Tav says, herding his kids toward the serving hatch.
“Shut your cakehole, I’m far more handsome than you!”
“Come on Juno, let’s get something to eat.” I ignore my family trading barbs and pluck her out of Pops’ arms. She nuzzles into the side of my neck, her hands gripping my shirt.
Before I can carry her to the kitchen hatch Mama Debs stops by with two plates of fettuccine, placing one in front of Pops and one for me next to him. Glancing around I notice everyone else has already gotten their food. Taking Violet’s empty seat next to Pops, I realize it’s been a while since I last sat and ate with everyone, and I have to admit it feels nice. The Tombs family changed the night Dayz snuck into the compound. We’re a close family, but a little insular. Since that night the number of people that I count as family and that I know will have my back has grown exponentially. Perhaps Dayz had a point when she pressed me about learning how to be open. I’m surrounded by good men and women. Surely they can teach me a thing or two.
“Seems weird, eating with you staring at me,” I mumble. Juno stares up at me from her place in the crook of my arm as if I’ve lost my mind. “But I guess until you can eat real food you’ll just have to sit there.”
“Who are you talking to?” Glancing over I notice Elio staring at me.
He’s an unusual kid. Gets on with my sister like a house on fire, so I tolerate his questions much like I tolerate hers. Dayz has managed to grow into the person she is today because people were patient with her. Elio will need the same.
“Violet told me that I needed to talk to Juno. It’s good for her development.”
He nods his dark head. “Makes sense. ”
That’s it. No segue into a conversation. He got the information he needed and has moved on. Looking into Juno’s dark eyes I wonder what she’ll be like in five years time. I’ve since given up the idea of giving her to another family. No one would be good enough.
“Jules,” Mama Debs lays her hand on my shoulder, “How about Sid and I take Juno for the night? You can have some time to yourself.”
My initial reaction is to say no, because I hate people doing shit for me. But haven’t I already moved on from that attitude? I have a nanny now and I’m always looking for people to babysit if she’s unavailable and I have shit to do. My eyes dart to Juno who frowns at me and I decide to take up the offer. Might be time to blow off a little steam.
“Thanks Mama Debs.” She kisses me on my crown and I turn back to my meal, smiling at Juno for a moment. “You’re a lucky kid, you get to stay with Nana and Pops tonight.”
She frowns deeper and pushes out her lip and it makes my stomach hurt a little, but that could be because I’m shovelling food in my face, wondering what shit I should drop off to Pops’ place for the night.
* * *
Two hours later I walk through the doors of the playroom that Fox and Nitro have reserved at Vibe. I’m strung fucking tight, it’s been a while and not even my fear that I could knock up another loose woman will hold me back tonight. I give a chin lift to Fox and Nitro who are both splayed out on a velvet couch, women between their legs.
I pour myself a whiskey from the in-room bar and take a seat in the corner. “The cuck seat” the guys like to call it but I dont give a shit what it’s called. It’s where I like to start the evening. Relaxing my shoulders I take a sip, savouring the woody flavor as it burns down my throat, my senses filled with the sounds of moaning from the two girls sixty-nining on the bed behind the guys. Nitro taps the top of the head of the blonde sucking him off, pulling her to stand where he plunges two fingers into her pussy, pumping them roughly, causing her legs to shake and the obscene sounds of her pussy to fill the air. His movements get more and more frantic, her moans almost drowning out the two on the bed, then she explodes, squirting over Nitro’s legs. He grins up at her, grips her hips and straddles her over his sheathed cock, allowing her to hover for a second before impaling her. I watch her ass ripple as she bounces on his dick, head thrown back in pleasure. The brunette that had been sucking Fox off turns toward me, straddling him reverse cowboy before sinking down onto his cock. I stare as he pumps his way inside her, his hand snaking around to rub her clit, his balls bouncing off her lower pussy, she pinches her nipples while keeping eye contact with me.
I take another sip, feeling the burn once more. I watch with hungry eyes, letting the sounds of pleasure invade my senses and yet…. My cock remains soft in my pants. I remain soft as one of the women on the bed climbs off and starts licking Fox’s cock and the pussy his cock is buried in. My dick even stays soft when both Fox and Nitro arrange themselves to fuck the same pussy, both cocks pressed against each other in the same tight sheath.
I’m surrounded with sexy sounds and smells, mouths, pussies and asses to give me pleasure but my thoughts keep drifting back to the woman I need to keep my hands off of. The one I enjoy talking to and accidentally pissing off, earning me a sexy as fuck glare, maybe even an irritated huff. My cock twitches at the thought and I know I’m well, and truly, fucked.
Violet
I’m late. Late for dinner. I’ll never hear the end of it. I’m late because Josh decided that we should talk about family dinner and perhaps the commitment is a little more than what should be expected of him this early on in the relationship. I’m not quite sure what he’s getting at. I mean, sure, we’ve only been dating for six months, but we’ve talked about our goals and moving in together at some stage. He’s met my friends. And by friends I mean Jazz and Lil because let’s face it, I don’t really have a lot of those. But anyway, I don’t feel like we’re rushing into meeting my family. They’re important to me and so is Josh so we conceded that he would come to dinner but bring his own vehicle in case the food is a bit strong for his tummy. I get it. I wouldn’t want to shit myself the first time I meet my boyfriend’s parents either. But still, tonight I saw a different side to my lovely boyfriend. The Josh I know is sweet and caring. This Josh was being pushed out of his comfort zone and became a little condescending and defensive.
I park on the street out front of my parents’, waiting for Josh to pull in behind me. I wait on the sidewalk for Josh to join me, reaching out to hold his hand. I smile up at him and give him a gentle kiss.
“Violet! We’re in public!” he hisses and I roll my eyes. He’s always been a bit prudish in public. He keeps telling me that we need to project a successful, respectful image. I always thought that was crap, but then again I’m not looking to climb the corporate ladder. Or any ladder really.
I shake it off and tug Josh’s hand, heading towards the front door. I grip the handle and swing the door open.
“Whoa, don’t you knock?” Josh asks, looking horrified.
I stop in my tracks, “Wait, do you?” I look up at him in confusion. Never in my life have I ever thought about knocking when I enter my childhood home.
“Yes. Every time. It’s my parents’ home, not mine.”
I stare at him for a moment like he’s grown two heads.
“This is Vi’s home, she’s welcome to come and go as she pleases, right mija? ” Mom says, arms open wide to draw me into a hug, giving me a kiss on the cheek before pulling back and almost shoving me to the side. “Josh! I’m so glad you could make it! Welcome, welcome! Vi told me about your tummy troubles so I made all the things much blander than usual so you can enjoy.” She beams up at him and he looks like he wants the ground to swallow him up.
His eyes dart to mine, looking betrayed but I can’t do anything other than pat his chest in reassurance. “I didn’t tell her you had tummy trouble, I said you can’t handle spicy foods.”
He frowns down at me then follows my mother to the back of the house, where the huge open plan kitchen dining is situated. I freeze in the doorway, immediately sensing something is up. My brother and sisters are acting normal. Reserved. So I know something has gone down and they’re putting up a front. My eyes dart toward Mom who looks like her usual self. I glance at Dad, because if anything was going on I know he would be the one that would give it away. Steven Davies is perhaps the nicest man to walk this earth. Other people would say he was whipped, but I know that dad has a spine of steel. Much like Moss he covers it up with his congenial manner, and he loves Mom and us kids to distraction, which means that if anything is going on and one of us asks, he’ll cave. Immediately. Unless Mom threatens him, of course. I mean, he doesn’t want to lose out on that “spicy sweet loving” as he calls it. Gross.
Staring at Dad who is trying very hard to avoid all eye contact, I realize that yes, something is up. But with no outward signs I’m going to have to play this one by ear until I can get to the bottom of this.
I narrow my eyes at my family and take a seat, Josh sitting next to me.
“Thank you for the dinner invite Mr. and Mrs. Davies,” he says politely.
“You’re welcome! I’m just so glad you could join us. It feels like I’ve been asking Vi to bring you to dinner for months and you’ve been too busy,” Mom says, bustling around.
“Yes, well, as Violet knows I take my career very seriously. If it comes down to dinner with her family or advancing my career, I will choose my career every time.”
I shoot him a look, as does every one else in my family. What the hell? I’ve seen Josh like this when he’s with his Finance Bros, talking a big game, but never when we’re together. Maybe it’s nerves at wanting to make a good impression? Like trying to convince my dad that he’s a guy that can support me or something? I glance at Jazz who gives me huge eyes as if to say “wtf?” I give her a little head shake and try to brush the awkward moment off.
I clear my throat. “Josh is very busy at work. Sometimes I don’t see him for days.” I smile at him and pat his thigh which is tense beneath my hand.
Mom gives him an incredibly fake smile and places the tamales in the center of the table a little roughly. As per usual, everyone talks animatedly while dishing up, giving me time to point out the dishes, what they contain, the heat factor based on historical evidence on how Mom usually makes them, and which ones are my favorite. He opts to dish up the smallest amount of everything, ignoring the stares from my family, including the grip my mother has on her cutlery. He gingerly takes a forkful of birria and moves it around his mouth before looking up at my mother and giving her a tight smile.
The knuckles on her knife-holding hand turn white as her grip tightens even more. I catch her eye and try to beg her, using only my eyes, to please, let it go. This is all new for Josh and he will get used to it. I mean, Dad did. Her shoulders relax and she gives me a curt nod.
“Vi, how is Juno? I know you said last week that she’s teething again,” Jazz asks, obviously trying to make small talk.
My thoughts move to the little girl I spend my days with. I’ve always liked babies, kids in general. I loved working with them when I was nursing, such cute little munchkins. I have a feeling everyone in my family is wired that way, to be carers of some description. Moss cares for the public by keeping them safe, Jazz with her special ed, Lil is a physiotherapist, Mom’s a feeder and now I’m a nanny. I didn’t for one second think I’d enjoy it, but I actually do. Watching that little girl grow and change is one of the highlights of being her caregiver. Even if her dad can be a bossy grump, I just know it’s because it’s the way he’s wired. He’s not cold, he’s just unsure how to show he cares other than protecting.
I swallow my mouthful to answer her. “She’s doing so much better. That tooth was a real dick coming in, but it’s through now and she’s back to being her stoic little self.” I grin and then Josh catches my eye.
“Are you OK, babe?”
“You said ‘dick’ at the dinner table.”
I give him a puzzled look. “Yeah. It’s how I talk.”
“Well, it’s not very classy. Maybe just tone it down a little over dinner, OK?” He takes another tiny bite of birria and I side eye my family.
What. The. Fuck?
“Jazz! How are the kids in your class?” Dad practically yells across the table in a desperate attempt to deflect whatever the hell Josh has going on.
Jazz hits the ground running and tells us a story about that menace Rodney and how he escaped during PE to climb the jungle gym in skidmarked tighty whities to sing WAP.
My family is in hysterics and as much as I want to laugh I’m more distracted by the odd vibe I’m getting from Josh, which is weird because me and him have always been on the same wavelength. Or so I thought. Before my siblings or parents can launch into another story to make everyone feel a little more comfortable, Josh pushes his plate aside and smiles tightly at my mother.
“That was very nice thank you, Mrs Davies, but I’m going to have to pass on the rest.”
Mom’s eyes grow wide and she looks confused as all get out that someone has rejected her meal. One that she tried hard to tame. I know this because it’s bland and awful. We’re eating cardboard versions of her usual feast .
“It’s just that it’s a little too-” Everyone around the table’s eyes grow wide with horror as we can all guess what he’s about to say to mom. Trigger words. “-spicy.”
The last word comes out in slow motion. My brother cringes and my sisters shrink back a little. Dad mumbles, “Settle,” under his breath and my mother does the unthinkable. She pulls her shoulders back and smiles warmly at Josh.
“Oh, I’m so sorry! I guess you won’t want to take any leftovers home then?” She smiles at him from across the table, hiding her true feelings as I can see her white knuckling the corner of the table.
“Oh, no, none for me thank you. I really need to head off. Thank you once again.” He pushes his seat out and doesn’t wait for anyone to say anything else. He doesn’t even look at me as he strides toward the door.
“Maybe he needs to poop?” Lily asks, her brows pinched with concern.
I jump up to follow him out, catching up to him at the front door. “Babe, are you OK?”
“I’m fine Vi, I just, I should never have come here. Your family and the dynamics are just so different to mine. We don’t chat at dinner or use foul language. It’s just, I guess you’re a different class to what I’m used to but hey, that’s not your fault, I mean, your mom is an immigrant and all.”
Gasps and the words “motherfucker” and “scoundrel” can be heard down the hall and I’m so shocked that sweet, kind Josh actually said that shit to me that my usual wit and sharp tongue are trapped in my gaping mouth.
“I mean, I knew you were latino or something, but I just didn’t realize how latino you really are. And look babe, there’s nothing wrong with that. I have a lot to think about. I’ll call you.” He leans forward and kisses me on the cheek, then pretty much slams the door in my face.
Turning slowly I gaze down the long hall at all my family members crowded in the doorway. “Did he just - was he j-”
“Yes, he pretty much said we’re kinda shitty cos our mom is an immigrant.”
I roll my eyes at Moss, “I know that , but did that greasy dweeb just break up with me?” I can feel my cheeks heat and the tears pooling in my lower lash line. What the hell? I liked Josh. Hell I thought I was well on my way to more than liking Josh and he pulls this shit?
“Oh Lettie, come on, you’re going to get yourself worked up and blow.” My dad’s strong arms wrap around me and I bury my face in his chest. “It’s OK sweetie, he was a scoundrel talking to you like that. You deserve more than a beige finance bro.” I nod, wiping tears on Dad’s sweater. “Are you hungry? Your mom made actual real food and hid it knowing Josh probably wouldn’t last.”
I lean back, taking in the look on Dad’s face, and then Mom’s. “Wait, what do you mean Mom knew he wouldn’t last?” I ask, confused.
“ Mija , I don’t know whether you know this, but that man was terrible. He was bland like unsweetened oatmeal. No honey, no berries, nothing. Just plain, lumpy oatmeal. And then he ran his mouth and dios mio there was salt in the oatmeal! Blech! I even made the worst birria I’ve ever made to make him feel comfortable. I could feel the tears of my ancestors as they watched me leave out half the flavoring all so your beige boyfriend wouldn’t crap his pants. Well, no more! If he can’t see how perfect you are and how much love and chilli goes into our meals then good riddance!” Mom says with a flourish, pulling dishes out of hidey holes all over her kitchen. Dishes that taste like my childhood and family and home.
“I’m so embarrassed that the asshole had the balls to say that to me and I was shocked into silence,” I lament over the chilli hot enough to give me a sweat moustache.
“Don’t worry Vi, I’m sure someone else will piss you off soon enough and you can let loose and feel like you have your power back,” Lil says, patting my hand in sympathy.
My mind drifts to the only person I know that pushes all my buttons without even trying. Jules Tombs. The man that tends to flit into my mind at the most inopportune times. I may dislike hot guys because of their usual lack of personality and manners, but I will concede that there’s a lot more to Jules Tombs than meets the eye. Yes he may be moody and grumpy and lack basic manners and sometimes language skills, but I’ve seen him with his family, the MC family, the kids and Juno, and there’s a big heart in that man. I’m just not so sure that he knows it himself.
* * *
I’m tucked up in bed, trying to read a new MC book, but instead I’m lamenting the end of my relationship with Josh. I may have already eaten a tub of ice cream that had tears in it. I mean, we’d only been seeing each other for six months but I really, really liked him and could see myself building a future with him. Now that the blinders have been taken off I can kind of see where Josh was a bit of a snob. He kept pushing me to take on nursing jobs, saying I was wasting my potential working at my Mom’s or nannying. Now I can see that the nice guy schtick was an act. He was always going on about having to project a good image for his career so I’m guessing he was with me because he thought I was hot. Well, now he has a hot ex-girlfriend that will kick his ass if I ever see him again. You don’t say shit about my family and get away with it.
Rolling to get comfortable I’m startled by my phone blasting Fleetwood Mac’s “Silver Springs”. I changed it 20 minutes ago feeling the same anger as Stevie did. I’ll haunt that man for life, I have decided. My phone continues to ring and I frown down at the number, sliding my thumb across the screen to answer it.
“Jules, is everything OK with Juno?”
“Violet,” his deep tone washes over me and my ice cream addled brain, “I know it’s late but we’re being called out, I hate to do this but can I bring Juno to you?”
I pull my phone back from my face to study the time before making a split decision. “Stay there, I’ll come to you.”
“Are you sur-”
I don’t even wait for an answer. Jules is incredibly professional. He wouldn’t call if it wasn’t important. Besides, Juno will be a welcome distraction to figuring out if I want to cry or punch Josh in the junk.