Chapter 13 Unexpected
KNUCKLES
I had ignored the slew of incoming texts as my conversation with Cassidy continued. I couldn’t ignore when the texts turned into calls from my club president, though. “Sorry, it’s my prez. I need to get this.”
Cass stood. “Like I said, I need to get back to work.” Something about the way she said that made me think it was a lie or a half-truth.
Judging by their restaurant, they weren’t ready for business yet.
At least, not beyond catering gigs. There weren’t really a whole lot of reasons to have an event catered in Violence, New Mexico, though.
I shook my head and held a finger up to stop her from leaving as I hit the button on my phone to take the call.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“You still in your important meeting?” Bigfoot asked with a tone that said he knew exactly who my meeting was with.
“Yeah.”
“Did you fuck things up with the caterer?” Cass’s eyes widened in response.
I knew what she was thinking. I wasn’t here for an apology and was sent on a mission from the club.
That couldn’t be further from the truth, but if her dealings with the club gave me the chance to prove to her that I had grown the fuck up since the last time she had come to town, then maybe everything would work out after all.
“I don’t think so,” I responded as I stared into Cass’s eyes.
“It was just brought to my attention by Sammy and her new bestie, Nell, that Cassidy Billups refused to sign a contract to work for the club. It wasn’t even an exclusive deal. So, why in the hell would she refuse good business if not for the fact that my Sgt. at Arms fucked shit up?”
“Didn’t know she was presented with a contract since I wasn’t here on club business,” I explained more for Cass’s benefit than Bigfoot’s. “Was that all you were calling about?”
“Yeah. Thought I’d give you a head’s up that Grunt’s on his way there. Fucker’s worried you screwed the pooch and said he refused to live without Cassidy’s pie just because you’re a fucking dickweed.”
“Jasper can fuck right off,” I said for Cassidy’s benefit because I wasn’t sure if she knew his road name.
Her chuckle let me know she heard everything from Bigfoot’s end of the call, too.
For once, I was glad my prez didn’t have an inside voice to speak of.
I hung up the call after hearing Sammy in the background ask if “pie” meant baked goods or if it was Jasper’s euphemism for Cass’s pussy.
Like fuck he would ever get near her that way.
“Considering Jasper only had my prize-winning baked goods and has been nowhere near my pussy-” Cassidy started to say through her own laughter, but I cut her off before she could finish.
“Nope. We’re not even going to entertain the potential hook up between you and any of my club brothers, least of all Grunt.”
“Grunt?” Cass asked. “I don’t get it. Unless it’s because he never really talks that much.”
“Not my place to explain where my brothers get their road names. You’d have to ask him.”
“Okay, and why am I not allowed to hook up with any of your club brothers? In case you missed it, they make up the majority of single men in this town.”
“My lips were on yours yesterday and I felt you quiver around my fingers as you came. That means you’re off limits to anyone else.”
“We fooled around - once. It doesn’t mean we’re going steady now,” she said with an exaggerated eye roll to drill her point home.
“Agree to disagree,” was all I could manage as I stuffed my phone into my pocket.
I wasn’t ready for anything serious with anyone after the disaster that my marriage turned into, but for some reason, I couldn’t stand the thought of her with anyone else.
“And Cass, sign the damn contract. There isn’t enough business in Violence to keep you guys afloat if you don’t.
You have a big enough crew with the help of your new family that you don’t even have to be the one to come to the clubhouse yourself, if you don’t want to.
We will need info on your friends before they can show up, though. ”
She gave me a cursory nod as her focus shifted to the kitchen again.
I didn’t bother to tell her that I’d be back or be in touch.
Cassidy was never stupid. She had to know we were far from done with our conversation.
“I have to get back and put Glitch on the Simone problem. I wouldn’t prioritize that over finishing our conversation, but she’s been sniffing around a lot again since Roxy was ousted and I have that weird feeling in my gut.
I need you to understand that if this wasn’t about the safety of my club, I would be right here until we hashed out every-fucking-thing from our past and present.
” When she only nodded as if she understood, I added, “If Grunt shows up, please do me a huge favor and tell him you haven’t baked pies since high school. ”
“I brought pies to the club event yesterday,” she reminded me.
“Well, damn. Missed opportunity to prank that fucker and give him hell.”
“Jasper has never earned that from me, so good luck giving him hell on your own,” she called to me before ducking back into the kitchen.
I saw myself out and headed to the clubhouse.
For some reason, the ride back felt more freeing than being on my Harley had in a long fucking time.
Even if Cass made me chase her, it would be worth it for the peace I managed to find.
She was right that my initial apology was for my benefit.
There was no denying she didn’t need it.
Still, I hoped a similar weight was lifted from her shoulders, too.