CLINT
T he hot water washed away the heat from today’s long ride. I didn’t linger in my shower like I might after a normal trip to Missouri.
I’d gone to visit Boone Chester every two weeks for the last three months. My younger club brother and longtime friend had gotten swept into a bar brawl while traveling with his father, Billy “Blackjack” Chester. The local sheriff—who was running for reelection—decided to make an example of the two out-of-towners. Fortunately, our club lawyer—my cousin and club sister, Lula—got the men’s sentences lowered to probation for Blackjack and six months for Boone.
Having one of my people locked up left me edgy. A person looking at my choices with Ivy today might claim they were a response to my unease over Boone. But I knew myself, and I didn’t make mistakes.
Ivy was special. More than beautiful and in need of help, she was mine. I’d felt it as soon as I saw her. If she were a local Missouri girl, I’d have traveled to see her until she was ready to move to my hometown.
My life couldn’t be anywhere else. My people ran this city. I wasn’t a man with any desire to start fresh somewhere else.
I wasn’t sure what Ivy needed. If she craved stability, I’d wrap her up in my power within Little Memphis. If she wanted excitement, my people loved to party. No matter what she craved, I could provide.
Showered and dressed, I headed back downstairs to find Ivy still in the secondary bedroom. When I pressed my ear against the door, I didn’t hear the shower running. I figured she was nearly ready.
My phone had lit up with messages while I was in the shower. Plenty of people saw me riding into town with Ivy. I suspected every single one of them had contacted my parents with the gossip.
“Who’s the dime-store floosy?” my dad, Ford, texted. “Your mom is worried.”
My mom, Shay, also messaged me and asked, “Did a Missouri hick dig her claws into my boy?”
When I didn’t immediately respond to their messages, they followed up with, “We’re sending your sister.”
Ford added, “Better hope your dog likes your new bed buddy.”
“I’ll give you details later,” I texted back. “Leave me alone.”
The phone instantly rang, and I saw Shay’s number.
“Too late,” Ford said as soon as I answered. “Elle’s already left. We can’t get hold of her. She doesn’t drive and text. I know how to raise my kids.”
“Yes, you do,” Shay said, and I imagined them having a ball messing with me. “I mean, I did all the work, and you mostly just took credit, but whatever.”
“I played with them.”
“Anyone can play with kids.”
“Are you fucking nuts?” Ford growled at his wife as they enjoyed their usual games. “Kids are boring. I suffered from spending time with those shitheads. Sutter’s cool, though.”
I assumed my seven-year-old nephew was listening to their crap and gave them a dismissive glance.
“Who is coming with Elle?” I asked while grabbing a bottle of kombucha from the fridge.
“Just Hanzee,” Shay replied.
“Why?” Ford asked. “Are you in trouble and need us to call in the troops?”
“No, I want to be left alone.”
“Oh, we know exactly what you’re doing here, son,” Ford said and snickered with Shay. “Back in the day, I also got involved with a devious blonde.”
“Yeah, a real ballbuster,” Shay said, and I suspected they were now flirting.
“I’ll bring Ivy to dinner tomorrow. She can meet the family, and you can interrogate her. Just leave me alone until then.”
“Sure, but if Elle says you’re in the throes of a mental breakdown, were racing over to kick the Missouri hick to the curb.”
“She isn’t from Missouri,” I said while walking to the windows to check the direction Elle would be heading in from.
“Wait, who is this woman?” Ford asked, getting serious.
“I just met her today. If you all climb up my ass, I won’t be able to figure things out. Stop distracting me. I’d also appreciate if you sent out a message to the rest of our family and friends, so they won’t bother me, either.”
“What the fuck do we get out of obeying you?” Ford demanded.
“I already said I’d bring her to dinner tomorrow.”
My mom sighed. “No offense, baby, but how is making me cook a reward?”
“I can bring takeout for everyone.”
“Free shit,” Ford said, sounding less pissy now. “Make sure to get enough to feed us and your uncle’s posse. Wouldn’t mind leftovers, too. Shay’s gotten lazy about cooking.”
“I work, dingus. Your retired ass should be cooking.”
“You said I’m a bad cook.”
“Try harder.”
“Yeah, I’m not doing that.”
“I’m hanging up now,” I told them, since they seemed more interested in flirting with each other than figuring out my situation. “Send me a list of food you want tomorrow.”
Once my parents had something new to busy themselves with, I ended the call and turned to find Ivy.
She looked different without the fussy skirt and top. The shiny black church shoes also gave her a slight lift. Now, in only socks, she seemed shorter. Elle’s clothes fit as poorly as I expected. Ivy had a sloppy yet comfortable appearance.
“You look beautiful,” I said, sensing she needed praise. “Are you hungry?”
Though Ivy shook her head, I walked her to the fridge. “If I don’t have what you want, we can order it.”
Her gaze noticed what I was drinking. Reaching for a bottle of raspberry lemonade kombucha in the fridge, Ivy acted overly nervous about a simple drink. As soon as she took a sip, I knew she didn’t like the flavor.
“What do you think?” I asked, wearing a grin as she struggled with hiding how she wasn’t a fan.
“What is this?”
“Kombucha. It’s a healthy drink. I have other stuff in the fridge, but I like to drink it after a long ride.”
Ivy stared at me, refusing to admit she didn’t like the drink. She even attempted to take another sip. I swiped the can from her hand and shook my head.
“My life is full of people who don’t like what I like,” I explained when she seemed startled by my gesture. “I don’t want you to pretend you like my shit.”
“I’m not used to making my own choices.”
“If you need someone to think for you, I can do that. But I sense you just need to learn to take what you want. Is it really so difficult to say, ‘Clint, I think your drink tastes like ass. Can I have something else?”
Ivy grinned shyly at my wording, but her gaze flashed to my open fridge.
“I like soda,” she said, zeroing in on the cola in the door. “I wasn’t supposed to drink it. My mom always had me worried about eating or drinking the wrong things. But I like soda.”
Handing her the drink, I studied her excited expression. “We’re strangers, but I know I want you. That means, I’ll need to adjust to your needs, just like you’ll need to adjust to mine.”
“Is that how it works in relationships?” Ivy asked, sipping the drink and shuddering with pleasure. “I thought people were supposed to have a lot in common.”
“I believe finding someone that clicks is more important than finding someone with the same interests. My parents have been together for more than thirty years, and they still break into random arguments over if Lynyrd Skynyrd is a better band than Journey. They might like different stuff, but they’re willing to bend enough for each of them to be happy.”
Ivy drank more of the soda before looking around. I wished I could crawl inside her head and see the world from her eyes. I rarely met new people. Ideally, Ivy and I could sit down and hash out our life stories until she was no longer a mystery.
Instead, I had only a few minutes before Elle arrived. “My sister is on her way over with my dog. I leave Hanzee at my parents’ place when I’m out of town.”
Ivy tilted her head and frowned. “You were coming back from a trip when we met.”
“Yeah, my club brother is in a Missouri county jail on bullshit charges. I drive there and visit him every few weekends,” I said, and instantly wondered what I would do with Ivy during my next trip. “Anyway, my dog can’t stay in the condo alone, so my sister takes care of him. Elle lives at my parents’ place with her son. You’ll meet everyone tomorrow.”
Ivy immediately lost her casual stance and went stiff. She glanced at the door and inhaled sharply.
“What if I embarrass you?”
“Let’s make this quick,” I said and took her hand. After pausing to enjoy the feel of her soft skin, I explained, “My sister is probably already in the garage, so I need you to focus on what matters right now. Don’t let her rattle you. She’s got a big mouth, but she isn’t a threat. She is just here to get gossip for our parents. I’d suggest you relax and think about how one day she’ll be your friend.”
“What if she doesn’t like me?”
“Elle gets along with everyone. But she loves the sound of her voice. People take her big mouth as a sign of aggression. That’s fine with outsiders, but you’re with me, so you need to see her right. Elle is my baby sister. I want you two to get along.”
Ivy bit her lower lip hard enough to nearly draw blood. I derailed her anxiety by making circles in the palm of her hand with my thumb. Ivy quickly lost her unease. Her gaze focused hard on my face, and I could almost feel her wondering what my kisses would feel like.
“Soon,” I promised as Elle knocked on the door.
My sister entered the condo without waiting for me to answer. In her right hand was a dog carrier with Hanzee inside. Elle must have been chilling today and then in a hurry to get over here because she skipped putting in her contacts. Instead, she wore her rectangular “take me seriously” glasses. Her blonde hair was tied in two braids. She wore a dark blue T-shirt and black denim shorts.
“Where’s the Missouri minx?”
Elle came to a crashing halt at the sight of Ivy. My sister very deliberately set the dog carrier on the floor. Her eyes narrowed to slits. I smiled at Elle’s “intimidation” expression.
“Don’t think your itty-bitty size fools me, kiddo,” Elle said in a low, threatening voice. “I fell for a tiny chick’s harmless act before, and she bit me. I’m not buying into your innocent Oompa Loompa act.”
“Ivy, this is my little sister, Elle.”
Neither woman was impressed with my attempt to defuse the tension. Elle erased the space between her and the smaller woman.
“What did you do back in Missouri?” Elle muttered, sizing up Ivy. “Let me guess, you were a waitress who batted her eyes and made sure his coffee cup was never empty. Seen it a million times.”
Crossing my arms, I asked, “A million, huh?”
Elle shrugged and replied, “I’ve seen it at least once.”
“With whom?”
“You don’t know the people involved. They went to another school,” Elle bullshitted before leaning forward to meet Ivy eye to eye. “Can you speak, little one?”
“I’m not from Missouri,” Ivy said.
Elle stood straight and glanced at me. “Wait, what is this? Am I being punked? Is Sabrina hiding in a closet, waiting to jump out and fuck up my hair?”
“Ivy and I met today at a Missouri gas station on my way home.”
Elle froze in response to my words. Her gray eyes blanked out. I felt her trying to make sense of my words.
“Have I walked into an alternative reality where my handsome and successful brother needs to pick up cheap women in lowly gas stations?” she asked before adding. “Clint, have you gotten too uppity to bang whores at the clubhouse? Our parents didn’t raise you to be snobbish.”
Resting my hand on Elle’s shoulder, I knew just what to say to derail my sister’s growing irritation. “Ivy needed help out of a dangerous situation, so I gave her a ride.”
Elle felt my manipulation, yet she couldn’t help herself when it came to a woman in need. One of her favorite errands for the club was beating up abusive husbands and fathers.
“What dangerous situation?” Elle asked and then narrowed her gaze and frowned at Ivy. “Is this problem going to show up at your place? Maybe we should get everyone involved with security.”
“Don’t threaten me,” I warned, frowning down at her.
“Don’t threaten me,” she growled, frowning up at me. “I have Slugger ready and willing to kick your ass.”
I broke into a smile and glanced at a nervous Ivy. “Slugger is our dad’s nickname. You’ll meet him tomorrow.”
Elle’s temper diffused immediately. “What’s happening tomorrow?”
“I’m bringing Ivy to dinner.”
“Will she still be wearing my clothes?”
“I hope to have new ones by then.”
“Should I change?” Ivy asked, getting rattled despite my earlier warnings about Elle being full of hot air.
“No, you’re fine. Elle isn’t a threat.”
“Oh, I’m plenty terrifying,” Elle said and flexed her biceps. “Ford said if I sensed this chick was a witch, I was free to toss her into the lake to see if she floated.”
“Can I speak with you?” I asked and tugged my sister away from Ivy. Before Elle could complain, I explained, “Her uncle owes money to someone, and she’s expected to use her body to pay it back.”
“Oh, Clint, did you really believe her lies?”
“Why would she lie?”
“You’re hot, rich, and stupid.”
“I’m only two of those things, and she only knew about the first one.”
Elle frowned, did the math in her head, and then frowned harder. “Poor fucks can’t afford your ride.”
“I don’t think she knows that.”
“Is she stupid?”
“Her family kept her isolated.”
“Why are you believing her?”
“Why are you dis believing her?”
“Because I’m not looking to stick my dick in her. You’d be surprised how much more clearly a person thinks when they aren’t horny.”
Tapping under her jaw, I drew Elle’s gaze away from Ivy and to my face.
“You know me. I spend all my time around beautiful women. I know how they fuck about. This isn’t that.”
“What is it then?”
“I believe Ivy’s meant to be mine.”
“Like a pet?”
“No, Ivy is my Shay.”
Elle hissed at me. “Don’t pull that soulmate crap with me. I won’t hear it. I’m against romantic love.”
“Yes, I know, but you’ve heard the stories about Ford from back in the day. He wasn’t a lonely man looking for love. Shay was special. They clicked.”
“And you think that’s what happened with you and this Oompa Loompa?”
Ignoring her dig at Ivy’s height, I said, “Once I saw her, I couldn’t let her go.”
“That’s weird, possessive crap. Just let this woman run free and stop hassling her.”
Snorting, I asked, “Wait, now, you’re on her side?”
“Sure, you’re acting weird.”
“I’m still me.”
Elle heard my meaning. I was a sensible man. I might occasionally think with my ego instead of my head, but I rarely let my heart run the show.
My sister glanced at Ivy, who had stopped stressing us long enough to notice the carrier.
“I haven’t told her about Hanzee.”
“What if she hates dogs? Who gets the boot? I can take Ivy off your hands if you're looking to save your dog.”
“And what would you do with her?”
“The same damn thing you should have done once you heard her sob story. Take her to the Sabine Women's Center and get her help.”
“But she’s mine,” I pointed out in case my sister’s distrust for romantic encounters had blinded her to my needs.
“You just want to pound that tiny woman with your manly dong.”
“No, I want to make delicious love to that petite woman.”
Elle staggered backward and covered her mouth. “Oh, God, I’m going to barf.”
“Alright. I’m pulling the card.”
“What card?”
“The brother-sister loyalty card. Back when you turned up pregnant after getting blackout drunk in Mexico, everyone was horrified. The kid might be the offspring of a mutant for all you knew. Everyone thought you weren’t ready to be a mom. However, do you remember the one person who supported you?”
Refusing to give in, Elle only shrugged. “Shay warmed up to the idea rather quickly.”
“But who supported you right away?”
“I feel like Vanessa secretly supported me.”
“Elle,” I muttered when she refused to be honest.
“Fine. You were supportive. When all my friends and family thought I was nuts, you had my back. And you were right. I am a great mother, and my kid isn’t a mutant.”
“Now, I’m asking you to have my back.”
“Okay, but who will have Ivy’s back? Or do you think this will be one of those ‘beast with two backs’ things?”
“Do you really believe I’m a threat to Ivy?” I asked, putting Elle on the spot.
“I think you mean well, but you are used to getting whatever you want. If his tiny woman is coming from a place of weakness, she’s bound to get swallowed up by your dominating personality.”
“No.”
“No?” Elle balked. “That’s it?”
“Ivy will meet the family tomorrow. You’ll get to know her. She’ll meet the club. The foxes will wrap around her like armor. If I’m acting like a pushy asshole, you’ll all tell me.”
Elle glanced at Ivy, who was shuffling very slowly toward the dog carrier. My sister grinned at the other woman’s behavior.
Her gaze lifted to meet mine, and I saw the one person I trusted more than any other. Elle and I had always been tight. Though we shared plenty of friends, my sister was the only person I could be weak around.
“Hanzee needs to be let free,” Elle announced and walked over to the carrier. “Do you like dogs, Ivy?”
“I don’t know. I only had one for a short time. I’m not sure.”
Despite Ivy’s meandering words, she clearly liked dogs and was very curious about mine. Hanzee waited patiently in his little carrier.
“You should meet Hanzee before I let him loose,” Elle explained. “If he isn’t certain about you, it could get dangerous.”
I rolled my eyes as Elle introduced Ivy to my brown-tan-and-white long-haired Chihuahua.
“Are you ready to feel the heat of such masculine energy?” Elle asked Ivy before lifting the latch and releasing Hanzee.
The little shit bolted from the carrier and walked around the condo with his tail on high alert. Once he decided nothing was out of sorts, Hanzee returned to sniff the new person.
Giggling over the little dog, Ivy hid none of her excitement. Hanzee quickly realized the pretty blonde was going gaga over him, so he sat his ass next to her on the ground and let her pet him.
“My people and I raided a farm years ago and found a few litters of Chihuahuas. Many of us got one.”
“Mine is named Hobbs,” Elle explained. “He’s far more handsome than this turd-muncher, but you’ll see that tomorrow when you come over for dinner.”
As Ivy and Elle doted on a spoiled Hanzee, I was comforted by my sister’s presence. The next week or two would involve many changes, and I worked best with my team.