CHAPTER 28
Shar
Another week has flown by. I’ve been busy organizing everyone at the club to be at the diner this Sunday. Wow, that’s tomorrow, to get the place painted, as well as the grounds tidied and spruced up. Everyone that helps out will be getting a free meal, and as it’s not optional, anyone that doesn’t turn up will get the sharp edge of Sharp’s boot.
Sharp’s foregoing church tomorrow morning and will get involved himself…or so he says. I don’t know exactly what he’s getting involved with unless Taylor shows up. She came to the club with Zara for a meal during the week and Zara had to tell Uncle Sharp that Taylor was her guest, and as such, he should go back to his office.
Lira will be attending the diner and as much as I wanted it to be a day off for her, she has got her head together with Sourdough, and they have planned quite a menu for the day…apparently. I have been told, none too politely, to stay out of any and all kitchen preparations, as they have everything in hand. All the servers have agreed to donate their days off to help out, too. All except Annmarie. If she wasn’t getting paid, she wasn’t coming in, but unluckily for her there was a schedule change, and it’s now her weekend in. I know it’s not my concern, but I sincerely hope that Sourdough fires her ass.
Snore stepped in and arranged for the paint, brushes, drop cloths, and basically everything equipment wise, to be ordered through the hardware business. Then had a couple of garage customers with pickups agree to collect it all on Saturday, store it overnight and deliver early tomorrow morning. I suspect it cost us a free meal, but hey, what the hell.
Joel is on bar duty tonight, and there is a sign posted stating, ‘No Alcohol After 9PM. Bar shuts down 11PM’. It caused a fuss until Sharp got out his marker and added, ‘By Order of Pres’. That stopped all the complaints in short order, I can tell you.
I had Snore take my SUV for a service this week. These guys don’t know when it was last serviced, and I used it as an excuse to get it checked out thoroughly, so when I’m ready, it’ll be good to go.
A couple of the brothers have said they want a big send-off for me when it’s time, but that’s not what I want. Maybe I’ll let them organize their party and slip away the night before or something.
Most of my stuff has been packed for a couple of weeks now. I’ve done way more than the month I was supposed to be here to help out, and the changes are definitely there for all to see. Sharp and Crack both know I’m getting itchy feet. They have had eyes on me for a few days now.
Watching the goings on in the rec room, I see and feel a totally different atmosphere than when I first arrived. It has more of a family feel to it than it did have, and I think much of that has to do with Lira’s presence, and also the way the whores have been moved down in the pecking order.
Josie accepting her promotion to kitchen assistant, and then assistant cook, was the first indication that change was coming. Having Wendy and Clarice shown the door certainly made the rest sit up and take notice. Syn slid quietly into the night without a word to anyone, and that was a blessing. Never in the spotlight herself, it soon became apparent that she was behind all the troubles the whores had. She handed out the ammunition and someone else used it.
Lizzie and Sandy are still here and servicing the brothers as and when. They look a lot more like girlfriends now, though, rather than whores. The ridiculous clothing has gone. They shower daily, so look and smell clean. They have spoken with Shrapnel and he takes them once a month for health check-ups. Something that never bothered anyone before but is certainly on the agenda now.
The clubhouse itself has a cleaner feel to it, too. It’s as though the whole Rogue Legions MC has pulled itself up by the bootstraps and become more respectful of itself. I like to think I had a part in that.
“Penny for them?”
“Damn you to hell, Crack. You shouldn’t go sneaking up on people like that. You’ll give someone a heart attack.”
I play punch him on the arm, though to be honest, if I gave it all I had, it wouldn’t probably amount to much more to him.
“You got nothing to worry about in that respect. You ain’t got a heart that I could find.”
Putting his arm around my shoulders, he pulls me in and kisses the top of my head.
“Is that what you think, Crack? I thought you were going to be the one. I knew Sharp was interested, but my money was always on you being my forever man. That damn kiss blew all my dreams clean out of the water. House, garden, white picket fence, kids, dogs, the whole nine yards all went poof with one measly kiss.”
I look up at him and I think I see the same thing in his eyes.
“I know, Sis. I always had the hots for you from the first time I saw you. That kiss was the coldest darn shower I’ve ever had in my life. All my ardor lost its ard, if you get my drift.”
“Crack! What the fuck! What a thing to say to a lady that just poured her heart out.”
Looking at him with feigned shock and disgust, I say, “I imagine that’s a bro comment right there.”
“You’ve done a lot for this club, Shar. It’s a pity that you haven’t found your niche because I think you could do so much more. It isn’t just me that’s going to miss you.”
“If Zara had been older, I’d have asked her if she wanted to go with me.”
“I’m sure Gunner would have loved that idea. I wasn’t thinking of Zara so much as Sharp. He never showed any interest in anyone until you came along. We could have come to blows if both of those kisses had caused sparks, you know.”
“You compared notes?”
I should have guessed that, I think to myself. “Well, Sharp seems to have moved on quick enough, don’t you think?”
“I don’t follow. Spill the beans, Lil Sis. What do you know that I don’t?”
Crack sits up straighter and looks at me quizzically.
“You can’t have missed how much attention he pays whenever Taylor is around? He’s like a dog in heat. I wouldn’t be surprised to walk in one day and see him humping her leg!”
The vision in my head has me laughing out loud.
“Oh girl, you are so far off the mark you’re shooting at a different range. Watch this space, Sis, and be prepared to be amazed.”
Crack laughs too, and I get the impression that’s all I’m going to be told.
“It’s going to be a busy day tomorrow, so I’m turning in. G’night, Crack. Don’t be late in the morning.”
I grin at him, because he is the first one to rise damn near every morning.
“Good night, Shar. Sleep well.”
Crack kisses my head once again and then releases me from his arm around my shoulders. Once I’m in my room, I shed my clothes as quick as I can and when my head hits the pillow, I’m asleep.
Up at the crack of dawn, I’m showered and into a set of clothes that I don’t mind ditching if they get spoiled while working. Grabbing the travel mug that I’ve been using for my night time drink, I head to the kitchen to get some coffee. As I approach, there are a lot of hushed voices and whispering going on.
Rounding the kitchen door, I’m amazed when I see almost the whole MC clamoring for coffee.
“Shar. Give.”
I hear from amongst the melee, but I can’t see where it came from. A hand suddenly grabs my mug and pulls me with it toward the coffee machine.
“Snore! When did you become so forceful and dominant?”
I splutter when I realize who has a hold on me.
“I’m being coached on how to be more of a gentleman ‘with attitude,’ rather than just an ‘old-fashioned’ gentleman. I’m not currently at liberty to divulge more than that.”
He looks very pleased with himself, I have to say. In fact, if he were a woman, I’d say he had that glow of pregnancy about him.
Finding a table in the rec room, I marvel at all the bodies that have appeared at this early hour on a Sunday. Not a sign of a hangover anywhere, so I’ll have to say well done and thank you to Joel for that.
Once everyone has tanked up on caffeine, they start flowing from the clubhouse. Dashing out to the front, I make sure they all stay together. I want everyone to leave in one go, not lots of groups revving up and disturbing the town. As soon as Sharp is happy that everyone that should be present is, he starts his hog and rolls out of the compound.
Sitting in my SUV watching them leave, they make a magnificent sight. Honking brings me back to earth and I see Cord gesturing for me to get moving. They’ve left a gap in the center for me. I feel like royalty being escorted to some function or other.
The journey to the diner is something I don’t think I’ll ever forget. There was no rushing about, no little groups forming on their own. It was a cavalcade in all its glory from start to finish. Even watching everyone parking was like watching a ballet, with engines!
The diner is already lit up for business, and walking inside I see Lira in the kitchen with Sourdough. They both look over and wave, but are soon engrossed in whatever they are busy with.
As I’m obviously not required, I make my way back outside where the two pickups have arrived and are being swamped as people grab paint and brushes, ready to make a start.
Separating work parties into groups by paint color, I direct them to their work areas. Before they start painting I surprise them all when I tell them they have to prepare their work surface first. There is no point painting over old and flaking paint or they’ll be doing it again in six months.
It only takes an hour, and we’re ready to go. The first coat is splashed on and I have to drag Sharp out of the diner, where he has installed himself as chief sampler, to go around and get a grip of all the enthusiasm. While he does so, he collects everybody’s cut to prevent them getting paint splashes on them.
Wandering over to my SUV, I send a quick text and wait patiently. Only a few minutes pass and a vehicle pulls on to the lot near me. Four bodies scurry out and go to the back of my SUV, where I pass out clothing items. Donning helmets and looking each other over, we high-five and then take a weapon each and ammunition, of which we have a lot.
Forming a line, approximately six feet apart, we advance toward the building and our unsuspecting targets. Just as we’re about to open fire, Cord turns around, wipes his brow, and states loudly, “What the fuck?”
Before he can say another word, a paintball hits him square in the chest and, gasping, he steps back. There are shouts of pain and surprise as five paintball guns begin a massacre of our unarmed ‘enemies.’ Watching bodies dart for cover, of which there is none as we moved all possible cover during the week to be sure, we advance and follow their retreat. When several brothers try to enter the diner, they find the doors locked and a grinning Sourdough and Lira laughing at them.
They won’t find any respite at the back door, either. I gave Sharp the heads up while he was giving them all orders to concentrate on the task at hand. He will have locked that before taking refuge with Lira and Sourdough.
Spying Crack at the edge of the lot on his own, laughing at the others being hit, I signal to the two of my soldiers closest to him and they pepper him before he knows he has been spotted. I should feel sorry for him, but what the hell. I’ll give him comparing notes on my kisses!
One by one, our guns fall silent and we wait for the retribution that is sure to come our way. Removing our helmets, we reveal ourselves, and to my surprise, we receive a roar of cheers, hand clapping and stomping.
Laughter rolls across the parking lot and I’m swept off my feet from behind.
“What the hell was that all about, you guys? You just committed a massacre. Not one brother took the initiative and fought back. I gotta say, though. They sure do smart when they catch the sensitive areas. Know what I mean?”
Crack puts me down and looks my team over. “I know I’m going to regret saying this, especially with Zara among you, but you ladies look as hot as hell in that military gear.”
Zara gives him a curtsy and says, “Why thank you, Uncle Crack. I didn’t know you looked at me like that.”
Watching him flush has us all laughing and out of the corner of my eye, I see Taylor scanning for someone in the crowd. The crowd of injured bikers reaches us and not one of them is angry at being ambushed. There are a few t-shirts pulled up and wounds displayed. There are going to be some hellish bruises coming out over the next few days.
There’s an almighty loud whistle from the diner and we all turn to see Lira watching us. “Get this finished and make it quick. Food will be served in thirty minutes. You snooze, you lose!”
Suddenly, the battle is forgotten and a mass stampede ensues to see who can finish their section first, get cleaned up and be at the front of the food line.
We five proud and victorious soldiers get our gear off at the SUV and, locking the weapons safely away, we make a dash to be the first in the line.
The food is fantastic and everyone gives Lira, Sourdough and the servers a three-cheer salute. While they are all looking so happy and engaged, I get to feeling a little maudlin. After everything, I still don’t feel that I belong. It’s purely down to me and not anything that anyone here has done. I wonder if I’ll ever fit in somewhere?
Gesturing to Zara, I walk through the diner towards the ladies’ room. Slipping quietly out the back door, I tell her it's my time to leave. She doesn’t look shocked in the least.
“I was expecting you to slip away without saying anything. I figured that today would be the day.”
She smiles a sad smile and it breaks my heart.
“Oh, Zara. I’d never leave without saying goodbye to you. I’ll keep in touch wherever I am, and if I ever find my place in the world, you’ll always be welcome.”
Holding each other, we shed a few tears before I head off to my SUV and make my escape. Giving Zara a last wave, I pull out of the lot and slip away unnoticed.
Listening to the radio, I fiddle with the frequency until I get a soft rock station.
Singing along to it, I get a sudden shock when something hits my driver's door window.
Looking out, I see Sharp grinning at me like a lunatic. He pulls ahead and then I realize that the whole MC is with him.
They surround me in escort fashion once again and we head off down the road.
I’m guessing they’ll turn off and head home when I reach the highway.
As we near my turn, I hear the roar of a hog closing in on my side again.
Looking out this time, I see Snore grinning back at me.
As I give him my biggest smile, he waves his thumb to point behind him. Looking back, I see he has someone riding bitch. Even though she is back in the soldier gear, and nailing it in the sexy category, I would recognize Taylor anywhere.
Throwing my head back, I laugh loudly because let’s face it, bikers, you just gotta love them!