Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Allora
I can’t remember the last time I stepped foot in the clubhouse.
Just being on the grounds brings back a plethora of memories, both good and bad, but mostly of my mother.
As the wife of an officer, she had a lot of power among the women.
Since the president before my dad wasn’t married, she was the club’s mother hen.
She had a lot of responsibility but handled it well, even when she was busy with her teaching job and raising me.
We didn’t live here, though, and the older I got the less time I spent here. Especially after what happened that weekend my parents went away. At that point, I kept my distance and they didn’t force the issue.
Today, the outdoor area looks like any suburban cookout.
There are two grills, three long tables covered in food, coolers with drinks, and chairs set out in various areas.
There are some guys playing cornhole, a bunch of kids playing with a slip-n-slide, and a few ladies holding court by the food tables.
“You’re an outsider,” I say under my breath. “So be prepared for a lot of questions, even if they’re pretending to be nice.”
“Don’t worry about me. And remember, any time you want to leave, we’re out.”
“Thanks.”
My father spots us and waves. He comes over and gives me a big hug.
“Happy Birthday, Dad.”
“Thanks, honey.” He peers into the casserole dish Landon is carrying. “Damn, that smells good.”
“I made a triple batch, so you can have as much as you want and still share.”
He lifts one brow. “You think I’m going to share?”
We laugh.
Landon puts the large casserole down on a couple of potholders and Dad shows him where the beer is.
I dig around until I find a hard cider and take a pull.
It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining, there’s a cool breeze, so it’s not too hot.
Late spring/early summer tends to be my favorite time of year here and I have to admit it’s nice to be out of the apartment.
It’s been so long since I’ve been to the beach and I miss that the most.
“Hey, Allora.” Pete’s voice makes me tense but I turn politely.
“Hey, Pete.”
“I, uh, owe you an apology.”
I wait, watching his face as he struggles to apologize. “I shouldn’t have been such a dick last time I saw you. I know you’re a strong, independent woman.”
“How painful was it for those words to come out of your mouth?” I ask with a smile.
He chuckles. “Pretty painful.”
“My dad make you apologize?”
“Yes and no. I mean, he’s right. I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way, and I’m genuinely sorry.”
“Apology accepted.”
He nods and then seems to be waiting for something.
“What?” I ask as the silence stretches out.
“Anything you want to apologize for?”
Holy shit.
He actually thinks I’m going to apologize for slapping him. Well, if that’s what he’s waiting for, he’s going to be disappointed.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I say, playing dumb.
He grunts. “You slapped an officer of the Renegade Demons. Do you know what would have happened to you if you weren’t Silver’s daughter?”
“But I am his daughter,” I say.
The silence stretches out between us and he shakes his head. “You always were a ball buster. Someday, you’re gonna have to learn to obey your man.”
He’s so damn annoying.
“If you say so.” I turn as my father calls to Landon.
“Grim—walk with me.”
“Dad—” I step in that direction, but Pete steps between us.
“What’s the matter? Pretty boy can’t take care of himself?”
“He absolutely can but it’s Dad’s birthday and he promised—”
“It’s fine, babe.” Landon presses his lips to mine, waiting for Pete to get out of the way. Then he winks as he walks away. Pete and Metal and a few of my father’s other confidantes fall into step behind them and my stomach knots with worry.
Shit.
“It’s okay, sugar.” My mom’s closest friend, my aunt Fern, touches my arm. “It’s a rite of passage.”
“It’s not Landon’s rite of passage,” I mutter.
“But he’s a grown man, and from what I hear, he can more than handle your dad.”
I stare in the direction they went, into the clubhouse, and it takes a lot of self-control not to run after them. But that would embarrass my father and probably emasculate Landon, even though he wouldn’t say so.
“After all these years you still hate this life, don’t you?” There’s no censure in her voice, merely curiosity, like she can’t quite understand how anyone could find a problem with the club. “Your mom knew how to find a balance between both worlds.”
“But she didn’t want this for me,” I say, taking a pull from the bottle in my hand. “She wanted me to follow my dreams, not live the life of an old lady.”
“I like being an old lady,” Aunt Fern says. “Brett loves me. He’s a good provider, a good dad, and he takes care of me.”
“So, he didn’t have an affair with a nineteen-year-old bunny fifteen years ago?” I ask. She cried in my mother’s arms the night she found out. I was a teenager but it was one of many things that shaped my opinion about living their life.
“He made a mistake. We grew apart after we had kids. I wasn’t taking care of his needs and—”
“He gaslit you into believing it was your fault. Got it.” I shrug. “Look, I don’t want to fight with you. I’m glad you’re happy. I wouldn’t be.”
“I know.” She searches my face. “You love him? Grim?”
I smile. “His name is Landon. And yes, I love him. Even though it’s too soon and all that nonsense.”
She shakes her head. “I knew I was going to marry Brett the first time he put me on his bike. I was seventeen and he was nineteen. But I knew. So, it’s not nonsense. Sometimes you just know.”
“Assuming Dad doesn’t scare him off.”
“If he’s the man for you, he’ll be able to handle your dad.”
I stare at the clubhouse, anxious to know what’s going on inside, but she’s right.
Any man who’s going to be an important part of my life has to be able to handle my dad—and the club.
Not directly, because he’s not a member, but I’d like to think my father will be involved in my life and that of my future children.
“I hope so.”
“Come on, let’s get some food.” She tugs me toward the long tables set up buffet-style and introduces me to people I don’t know.
New wives and girlfriends that have come to the club in the years since I left.
Most of them are surprised to find out I’m Silver’s daughter, and some of them have apparently heard about my ordeal.
“I’m sorry about what happened to you,” a woman who looks to be in her mid-twenties says. Her name is Layla and she has long black hair, a sleeve of tattoos down one arm, and a barely visible baby bump.
“Uh, thanks.” I frown. “How did you know?”
“Metal told me.”
“Metal told you?” I blink in surprise.
“He and I are…” She puts her hand on her stomach.
“Well, we’re together now. This—” She motions to her stomach.
“—was an accident, but I didn’t think I could get rid of it and he told me he didn’t want me to.
” She dips her head shyly. “I think he had a crush on me for a long time. He was just too shy to make a move.”
“Metal is literally my favorite person in the club,” I say sincerely. “I’ve known him since middle school and he’s always been sweet. Quiet but smart and gentle and kind. Not like—” I cut myself off. “Sorry, I forget where I am sometimes.”
She smiles. “It’s okay. I agree. I thought…
well, I thought he was kinda nerdy, you know?
Nice ass but too quiet for me. Caught him reading books sometimes instead of partying with us.
And then, one night…” She shrugs. “One thing led to another. And another. Then I found out I was pregnant and he didn’t even hesitate.
I think I fell in love with him that minute, when he said, ‘okay, so I guess we’re having a baby.
You want to move in with me or me with you? ’ That was it.”
I smile. That sounds like Metal.
“I’m really happy for you guys. He’ll be a good dad and he’ll take care of you.”
She glances around and then lowers her voice. “I was…you know, an employee.” She waits for me to put two and two together.
“I hadn’t worked in a while,” she continues quickly. “I broke my ankle and was having a tough time. Metal was one of the guys helping me out. So, it’s definitely his baby.”
“I’m glad your ankle is better,” I say politely.
She nods. “I’m working part-time at the tattoo shop in town, but Metal wants me to quit. We’re looking to buy a house…and I want to contribute. I don’t want to just take from him. You know?”
“Believe me, I get it.”
We fill our plates with hot dogs and macaroni salad and fruit and my corn casserole, and then find seats under a tree with some shade. Aunt Fern joins us along with a woman named Charity. She and Layla used to work together, and she’s been dating one of the bikers named Motor.
Despite my reluctance to be part of this world, days like this make me miss my mother. She was the one who insisted on the occasional family dinner, or a Sunday cookout, or girls’ night out for the wives.
“Your mom would’ve liked you being here for your dad’s birthday,” Aunt Fern says.
I nod, wondering if my dad would be doing whatever he’s doing to Landon if my mother was still alive. He’s changed since she passed, and it scares me. I don’t want to lose the only family I have left but I don’t always trust him.
And this thing with Landon is still so new.
I really don’t want my dad to scare him away.