Chapter 22 #3
He placed soft kisses to my neck, his stubble tickling the sensitive skin.
Bash maneuvered us so that I was on my back and he was leaning over me, pieces of his hair dropping forward over his eyes.
I reached up to push the strands away from his face, my hand hovering on his cheek, just taking in his beautiful face.
“I’m really happy you’re here,” he whispered to me before pressing a soft kiss to the palm of my hand. My fingers flexed against his cheek, and I took a deep breath.
“What if I was here every day?” I asked hesitantly as I watched several emotions wash over his face. All nerves vanished when I was rewarded with the most stunning smile.
“Well, now, Miss Fiona, are you asking to move in with me?” he asked in a happy voice, his eyes crinkling as his smile grew bigger.
“I believe I am,” I replied, my answering smile growing by the second. Without giving me a formal response, Bash flopped off of me and sat up on his side of the bed. He had his phone next to his ear in a second. I sat up, my back against the headboard, and watched him.
“Match? Get some of the Brothers together. We gotta move Fiona’s shit into my place. Doesn’t have to be today, but I want it done by the end of the week.” My eyes widened, and I almost started to protest, but stopped. That was what I wanted, what he wanted. There was no reason to wait.
“Yeah. Just find out who’s free this week, and I’ll get back to you with the actual day. Mhm. Yeah, thanks, kid,” Bash clipped out before dropping the phone onto the side table and crawling over to where I was sitting in bed.
“So I should have my stuff packed by the end of the week?” I asked, unable to wipe the silly smile off my face.
“Why, you think you can get it done today? Can we head over now?” he asked, his expression like an eager schoolboy’s.
“Bash! Come on, give me the week to sort through everything. As it is, I’m gonna be late for work if you don’t let me get into the shower soon,” I replied, eyeing the alarm clock nervously.
After the weekend, going to work was the last thing I wanted to do, but I had already missed several days when I was attacked, and I had always prided myself on being a reliable worker. Bash frowned before kissing my forehead and rolling off the bed.
“Get in the shower, baby. I’ll get coffee and breakfast ready for you,” he said, and I couldn’t help the sigh that escaped my mouth as I eyed his nearly naked body.
Sometimes, it felt like a dream, or someone else’s life, waking up next to him.
I knew every single line on his body now, had traced them with my fingers and tongue.
I had memorized every swirl of ink and sharp black line that decorated his skin, twisting around his strong arms and impressive abs.
Bash was an intimidating sight. My mouth watered, and a shiver went down my spine.
“Baby, gotta stop looking at me like that, or I’m gonna join you in that shower, and you’ll definitely be late for work,” he said, his voice rough with need.
I glanced quickly at the time once more, weighing my options before hopping out of bed and grabbing his hand, leading him into the bathroom with me.
After a shower where Bash made sure every inch of my body was thoroughly cleaned, I was gulping down coffee from my thermos in between bites of a protein bar as I drove into the office.
The morning went by slowly, my mind wandering to Bash and the idea of living together. Then, around lunchtime, my phone rang, and I saw that it was Roxie. I picked it up, alarmed, since we usually texted.
“Roxie! Hey, are you okay?”
“Am I okay? Really, bitch? Are YOU okay? No one will tell us what happened, but Dolly’s gone, and all the guys have been walking around like angry bears.” I laughed at the description, and could only imagine how a glowering Bull and Reaper could dampen the mood.
“I’m alright. Better, now that I know Dolly’s gone,” I said honestly.
Looking around, I saw some coworkers eavesdropping on my conversation.
“Now’s not the best time. Do you and Star want to come by my apartment one day after work this week?
We can catch up while I pack?” I asked, trying to keep my voice low.
“PACK? Where are you going? Tell me what Bash did. I swear, I will gut the fucker!” she shrieked, and I had to pull the phone from my ear.
“Aw, Roxie, you like me! You really like me!” I couldn’t help but gush.
“How much I like you is dropping the longer this conversation goes on,” she said drolly, and I laughed.
“I’m packing so I can move in with Bash,” I answered happily.
“BITCHHHHH. Okay, we could do Wednesday. I know Star doesn’t have work that night, and I could get someone to take over my shift.
Make sure you have wine. And tequila. Never mind.
I’ll bring the alcohol. You have to tell us everything!
” She hung up after that, and I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped me.
A few heads were turned my way, but I couldn’t find it in me to care. For once in my life, there was something more important than work. I was happy—genuinely and truly happy. My life was fuller than it had ever been.
After work, Bash met me at my place, where he insisted I call my landlord to discuss the terms of breaking the lease I still had almost six months left in.
If I couldn’t find someone to take over the lease, my landlord was asking for a hefty fee to leave early.
Bash offered to pay it, but that wasn’t sitting right with me.
By midweek, I had made good process on the packing.
With Bash’s help, most of my books and knickknacks were sealed away in boxes, and half of my kitchen was packed up as well.
I was mulling over my options when Roxie, Star, and Charlie arrived.
It was nice to see the girls, and I was happy they had reached out to Charlie to invite her.
My circle of friends was growing, and it still felt surreal at times.
There were lots of hellos and hugs while Charlie made herself at home as usual.
Before we had even sat down, she was coming back from the kitchen with glasses and snacks in hand.
I took a sip of my wine and looked up to see three sets of eyes staring at me.
“Okay, how do you wanna do this? Do you want me to just tell you what happened, or do you wanna ask your questions first?” I asked the group. Even though Charlie knew what had happened, she was sitting with Star and Roxie as if hearing it for the first time.
“Tell us what happened, and then we’ll ask questions,” Star decided for the group, shooting Charlie and Roxie a look that screamed to keep their mouths zipped. In an effort to protect Bash’s privacy, I mulled over the best way to explain what had happened.
“Dolly has been working with Trish to try to break me and Bash up. She waited until she saw my car pull into the clubhouse, then snuck into Bash’s room when he was asleep. She assumed that, when I walked in on them together, I would just run away without asking any questions.
“Apparently, I’ve been… uhh, killing the vibe at the clubhouse. Trish told Dolly that
I got her banned from the club and was coming for her next. Long story short, I didn’t run, we got the truth out of Dolly, and now she’s gone.” They looked at me with varying looks of surprise and anger on their faces before everyone started talking at once.
“Stop! One at a time!” I yelled, and pointed at Star, who had raised her hand.
“Is it true you beat the shit out of Dolly?” I winced at the description and shrugged.
“I roughed her up a bit.” Charlie snorted at that, and all eyes swung to her.
“Broke her nose and dislocated her elbow. Ripped out some of her hair, too. Fee doesn’t play,” she told them, and I felt my face heat up.
“I would pay good money to see that,” Roxie said, as both Star and Charlie nodded in agreement.
“They drug tested all of us and searched our rooms. I can’t believe Dolly drugged Bash. Is he doing okay?” Star asked, looking concerned.
“I think he—we both—still need some time to process things,” I replied.
“So you and Bash… Things are getting even more serious?” Roxie asked, leaning forward, her eyes kind and excited.
“Yes. I—well, we… I told him I loved him. He says he loves me, too, and asked me to move in.” The girls squealed, and Charlie just laughed along.
“So when are you moving? I know Bash thinks you’re gonna get out of here by Sunday, but be honest with us, is your landlord giving you an issue about breaking the lease?” Charlie asked with concern.
“The landlord isn’t being unreasonable. I didn’t give proper notice, and there’s still half a year on my lease. He wants three months rent, plus the security deposit to give him enough time to fix the place up to show it to new tenants.” Roxie and Star gave each other a look before turning to me.
“How much is the rent, if you don’t mind me asking? Star and I have been talking about possibly moving out of the clubhouse,” Roxie said.
“Is everything okay? Are you guys leaving?” I asked, surprised, and Charlie leaned in to examine their faces.
“Yes, everything’s totally fine. Don’t go Chuck Norris on anyone there.
We just… Well, I’ve got a good savings account going from working at the bar, and with Star working at the garage, we’re in a good spot to move out on our own.
We love the club, and still want to hang out there, but I think we’re done being club girls,” Roxie said, as Star nodded next to her.
“That’s a great idea! I would love for you guys to take over the apartment.
Do you want a tour, and we can figure out if it will work for you both?
” I asked, and they agreed eagerly. After showing them around, they both loved the place, and were comfortable with the monthly rent—especially split between them.
We talked about putting up some dividers in the bedroom to make it comfortable for the two women to live together. Neither complained, as they were used to impermanent sleeping solutions over the past few years before they landed at the MC.
After that, I shifted the focus back to Star and Roxie, excited to catch up with them and take some time away from thinking about everything that happened with Dolly. Star had passed her GED with flying colors and had decided to give the job at the garage a try.
“Star, how is it going at the garage? I heard you’ve been shadowing Charlie for over a week now?” I asked, and watched as Star blushed. Before she could reply, Charlie jumped in.
“Star is killing it at the garage. Better than I ever did. She’s a natural with the customers and knows how to keep the boys in line,” Charlie bragged.
“That’s great! I’m so happy it’s working out. Star, are you happy there?” I asked, wanting to make sure she was actually okay with the move.
“I am. I feel… I don’t know how to explain it.
I guess I feel useful, needed. The more Charlie teaches me, the more confident I feel.
All of the guys are behaving themselves, and to be fair, stripping is a pretty good way to learn customer service.
I just hope I’m picking everything up fast enough,” she said nervously.
“I don’t know how she does it. I get in trouble all the time for chewing out rude customers, but somehow, she just sweet-talks them into getting an unnecessary update. It’s a fucking work of art,” Charlie said. Star beamed.
All in all, it was a great night. We were all moving forward into new phases of our lives, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled.
I was glad we had each other to lean on as all of us went through those exciting changes.
We were growing and thriving, and I felt blessed to be surrounded by so many good people who really cared about me.
My landlord was more than happy to transfer the lease to Roxie and Star, as it meant no work on his end to find new tenants or paint the apartment.
While the Brothers were sad that the girls had decided to leave, they were still important to the club.
They both worked at MC-owned businesses, and promised not to be strangers when it came to club parties and events.
I spent the remainder of the week packing up my personal belongings and getting everything in labeled boxes so the guys could move them easily.
I left a lot of furniture for the girls, only taking the vanity from my bedroom that I had found when I first moved to the city.
It was the first piece of furniture I ever got for myself.
I had seen it at an antique shop and loved it.
Bash didn’t have a problem with keeping it in the bedroom. He didn’t have a problem with anything I brought as long as my stuff was there. Per his wish, I was fully moved in by Sunday. It felt scary and new, but I couldn’t wait to see what the next chapter of our lives brought us.