Chapter 40
JESSI
“Hey, girl! I knew you’d fit right in,” Sonny shouts from across the club as she wipes down the bar.
“Mike told me you were starting today. I’m so excited.
” She tosses me a shirt and I catch it. “Here’s your work shirt.
You might want to go home and wash it first. It’ll probably smell like beer and cigarettes. ”
“Thanks,” I tell her.
The shirt is dark blue with Highway Riders MC scrawled across the back of it in white letters. It’s small on me, but that’s the vibe around here. Every woman is dressed to the nines, so I’m hardly out of place. They’re all vying for Jack’s attention too.
“You can wear jean shorts or a jean skirt.” Sonny slaps the ass of her jean skirt then skewers her gaze on my black leggings.
“Our main priority is making sure the administrative tasks of the shop are taken care of, but we are here to also check that the club area is in order and the members and their guests are happy.”
Sonny shows me around the front desk and how to use the phone system.
Thankfully, none of it seems complicated.
She tells me how to schedule appointments, make reminder calls, and let people know their bike is ready for pickup.
“If it’s slow, you can grab beers for the guys or clean.
It’s pretty easy. Talk to the members, make sure they have a good time.
We’re going to be running around like chickens with our heads cut off the next few weeks.
Gearing up for our biggest motorcycle run of the year. ”
“Oh?”
“Every year the club organizes a multi-chapter charity run for the local schools. See, there’s not a lot of tax money for the schools, seeing as we are a small town, so the guys do what they can to bridge the gap.
Damn near the entire town chips in to help.
” She calls over her shoulder, “Mike, you need another beer before I go back to the desk?”
Is the MC a modern-day Robinhood gang?
“That would be great, darlin’.”
She takes a bottle from the fridge, cracks it open, and slides it to him with a wink. Mike tips his bottle toward both of us and brings it to his lips.
“Seems easy enough.” I shove my hands in my pockets and force myself to relax.
“Easy peasy!” Sonny leans back and tilts her head in Jack’s direction. He’s in the shop, his hands buried in the engine of a bike. “What’s the story with you and Jack?”
“No story. Jack’s letting me stay there.
My dad and stepmom are out of town for the summer, and my stepbrother is an asshole, so I help Jack around the house, and he lets me stay there.
” I say it matter-of-fact. I’m still worried about what people will think about the situation.
I know I’m an adult, but you can never be too careful.
I don’t want Jack to think I’m spilling any secrets.
“Hmm. So you don’t help him with anything else, if you know what I mean?” Sonny nudges my shoulder.
“Nope. It’s not like that,” I say, fighting to keep my face straight and my blush to a minimum as last night flashes into my head.
“Okay, well, I wanted to check. Jack gets a lot of attention from the women here, and rightfully so. Look at him. If anything was going on, I would set people straight.”
I halt, stiffening with agitation at the idea of Jack with other women. Natasha pops into my head and I shove her away. “Like I said, we’re not like that.” I glance toward Jack and jump. He’s staring at me, his eyes boring into me with concern. “Everything okay?” he mouths.
I give him a thumbs-up.
I didn’t think it through when I asked about a job here. If I have to watch Jack flirt with other women or worse every day, I might puke.
Too late now.
The rest of the evening goes well. I catch on quickly. Sonny teaches me all she knows, and I spend most of my free time getting up to speed on the members’ habits.
For starters, every member carries a gun. Whether they need it to look tough or for protection, I don’t know, but a small part of me bristles every time I see one. Jack hasn’t brought his out since he threatened Austin with it, but I know he keeps it close.
Once in a while, a member will leave the back room after talking with Mike and Jack and take off.
When they return a while later, they head straight to the back again and toss an envelope on the table before the door shuts.
It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out that the envelope has money.
The members who don’t return with an envelope usually have busted knuckles—or worse.
My eyes don’t want to confirm what I’m seeing, though my heart knows what goes on here is darker than Jack lets on.
Maybe not Tim’s MC-level of bad, but not saintly either.
At six, Jack sits at the bar having a beer while waiting for my shift to end. Sonny wasn’t joking. All the girls flash him flirty smiles and find reasons to brush up against him. He doesn’t react, though, thank my lucky stars. My heart survives another day.
He finishes his beer as I approach, the leftover foam clinging to his lip. “Ready?” He swipes the foam away.
A few eyes swivel toward us, but I ignore them. It’s no one’s business what we do.
“Yep,” I reply with some pep in my step. After brief goodbyes to Sonny and Mike, we head out and I climb on his bike.
We have yet another routine, I realize as he snaps the buckle of my helmet under my chin. He always checks that I’m safe and secure before he focuses on himself. It’s a nice pattern to have.
He nods once, then lifts himself onto the bike too. I become giddy when the engine purrs to life. Riding with Jack is one of my favorite things.
Before we take off, he yells over his shoulder, “Let’s stop and get food.”
I lean closer so he can hear me. “I already left meat out to make steaks. I don’t want it to go bad.” He keeps going, not acknowledging what I’ve said.
Less than ten minutes later, we turn into a cute restaurant.
I’ve seen pictures of it but haven’t eaten here.
White chairs and tables form the outdoor seating.
The patio is surrounded by ornamental trees, white lights coil around the branches, and tabletop lamps create a romantic vibe.
I sense it’s way out of Jack’s comfort zone.
“Jack, I told you I have meat out,” I say as we park. “We’ll have to toss it.”
“It’ll be worth it,” he says. He leads me into the waiting area, his hand on the small of my back. Zaps of electricity shoot up my spine with each touch. The hostess takes us to a table near the back of the patio, away from everyone else.
Jack slides my chair out and whispers in my ear as I take a seat, “It isn’t every day that you get to celebrate your first day of work. Sit.”
I don’t need to be told twice. I swoon over the beauty of the restaurant and Jack’s chivalry.
“This place is so nice,” I tell him. “I’ve always wanted to try it. Have you been here before?”
Jack sits and shakes his head, his eyes perusing the menu. “Nope. I haven’t really had any reason to.”
I smile ear to ear, my heart warming. “Thank you, Jack. For the job and making me feel special.”
Jack steeples his fingers against his chin as his green gaze pierces me.
“You got yourself the job. Mike’s very strict about who he lets into the club and who works there.
He wouldn’t have hired you if he didn’t think you would be a good fit.
Jessi, you are special and deserve to be celebrated.
Not just when something big happens, but every day. ”
Once home, I go straight to the kitchen and toss the unused steaks. I frown. “I feel bad. I hate wasting money and food.”
He lifts my chin with his index finger. “It was for a good reason.” He flashes his sexy wink before going upstairs to shower.
I’m so tired, but I need to toss this work shirt into the laundry, so I follow him and ask, “Do you have any laundry? I need to do a load and wash my new work shirt. It smells.” I dangle it between my thumb and forefinger like it’s diseased.
He disappears into his room and emerges to hand me some rumpled clothes and a folded T-shirt. “I hope you’re washing the shirt you sleep in too. I thought you might need one for tonight.”
I tuck my hair behind my ear. “Thank you.”
He marches back to his room. I’m unsure where my bold courage comes from, but I yell to him, “Maybe I’ll try sleeping your way. Naked.”
He tosses his head back in laughter. “Goodnight, Jessi.” Then he shuts his door.