3. Chapter Three
Chapter Three
I stare at the clock on the wall, willing the hands to tick faster.
It’s a slow day in the office. I wasn’t supposed to be on today.
Faye, my sister-in-law, should be here doing the payroll, but she can’t be bothered to show up on time.
She can get away with that shit because she’s married to Woods, and no one is going to say shit about the Prez’s ol’ lady.
If he was smart, he’d get shot of her ass.
She’s a lazy cunt. I can’t stand her. Grannie Mags says she’s of no count.
But I will say she’s allegedly staying here to manage the office while most of us ride to California for the annual KOAMC rally that’s held every June by the national President, Big Daddy.
He’s also Faye’s uncle and the only reason my brother married her.
I trust her about as far as I can throw her.
She’s originally from California. Her marriage to my brother was nothing more than a business transaction.
When Uncle Hoss stepped down as Prez, my brother Dirty was supposed to move into the role. Big Daddy would only grant the leadership change and our patch over into the Kings if he agreed to marry Faye. But that didn’t happen because Dirty went to prison. Woods took his place and his bride to be.
What goes on between them is really none of my business, but my brother deserves better. A woman who loves him for him, not because of his status. The bell over the door dings. I glance up to see Gray strutting through the office like he’s the damn cock of the walk.
“Where’s Faye?”
I lift a shoulder. “She called out.” I’ve not laid eyes on him in three days. After things got a little intense at the clubhouse the other night, he’s been keeping his distance.
“Does your brother know that?”
“He’s the one who called me.”
“Shit. We’re hosting another club for a few days. Need a grocery restock.”
“I’ll do it when I get off.”
His eyes flash. “I’ll take you to the store.”
“I can manage.”
“We need steaks.”
“Okay, and?”
“Meats are a man’s job.”
“You were going to tell Faye to handle it.”
“What’s it matter?”
“You’re not an ol’ lady.”
I don’t need him to remind me. If my brother has any say, I never will be.
“I was going to call in an order.”
“You still can.”
“Yeah, but if you’re going, I can tag along and pick out the good cuts.”
“Suit yourself.” I play it off like he’s annoying, but the truth is I’m secretly smiling on the inside that he’s making an effort to spend time with me.
“Would you stop?” I glare back at Gray as he walks behind me at the local grocery store. He keeps hooking a finger in the back center belt loop of my jeans when he wants me to stop while he looks at something. Every time he does it, I’m jolted backwards against his chest.
He grins at me and tosses another pack of brats into my buggy.
“Who the hell needs fifteen packs of wieners?” I shake my head.
“I thought all women love big, fat, juicy wieners.”
“You’d know.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” he grabs a pack of cheese-stuffed ones.
I look him up and down. “Your ween gets around.”
“What would you know about his travels?”
I snort. “I have eyes and ears.”
“Shhh.” He grabs his crotch. “He can hear you. You’re going to hurt his feelings.”
“Hurting your dick’s feelings is the least of my worries.”
“What’s troubling that pretty head?”
“Nothing.” Everything. You. The fact that you almost kissed me and act like it never happened. I leave it all unsaid.
“Good. Now let’s go see a man about some meat.”
“Quit making it weird. While you do that, I’m going to grab some chips and extra condiments.”
“We don’t need condoms.”
“Is sex all you think about? I was talking about ketchup and mustard.”
“Only about ninety-five percent of the time.” He flashes his teeth at me.
“And that other five percent?”
“Riding.”
“Right,” I mutter. “Take this buggy. I have a feeling we’ll need a second one.”
“Behave, pipsqueak.” He flicks the center of my forehead.
“That hurt.” I rub my finger over the spot.
“Poor baby. Let me kiss it.” He dips his head and presses his lips to my skin. My heart leaps to my throat as all air leaves my lungs.
It’s not the first kiss from him I’ve dreamed about, but Braxton Gray’s lips are on me, and I’m not mad about it. Not one bit.
I go back to the front of the store, grabbing another buggy, and completing my shopping like I’m walking on a cloud.
That is until I find Kaylene Smith rubbing all up on Gray.
They dated briefly a few years ago. She’s a cut slut.
She’ll fuck anyone as long as they have some status in the club, like being an officer.
The minute he became VP, she was all up in his shit.
He cheated, but so did she. They were toxic together.
I also just happen to hate her. She dated my brother Dirty before Gray.
She would fuck Woods if he’d have her. She’s been ran through.
“I had a good time last night, lover.” She pats his chest. “See you later.” She smirks at me as she saunters off.
I roll my eyes and quirk a brow at Gray.
“What?”
“Like I said.” I twirl my finger. “Your ween gets around.”
“Sounds like you’re jealous.”
He’s not wrong, and he knows it. “I don’t do charity. I’m ready to go. Did you get what you needed?”
“Yeah,” he huffs, his voice laced with what sounds like irritation.
We check out then we get the bags into the back of my truck. “Want me to drop you back at your bike? I’m sure your girlfriend is waiting by the phone.”
“Later.” He smiles to himself like he’s privy to a joke only he knows the punchline to. “I’ll help you unload.” He snatches my keys. “I’m driving.”
“Whatever.” I’m not bothering to argue. I climb into the cab on the passenger side.
He gets into the driver’s side and starts adjusting the mirrors. It’s hard not to stare at him. The man looks good driving my classic Chevy.
The radio hums to life, playing some sad country song about first loves and heartaches. Gray takes a curve too fast and hard. I go sliding across the seat and grab his crotch by accident as all our groceries get beat around the back of the truck.
“Sorry.”
“Meat’s taking a beating.”
“What?”
He glances in the rearview mirror. “The groceries.” He shakes his head as I fiddle with my seatbelt. “Get your head out of the gutter.”
“You’re one to talk. Won’t Madz be jealous if you’re back on with Kaylene?”
“I’m not starting up shit and who I fuck is about as much Madz’s business as it is yours.”
Ouch. “Noted.” He’s so hot and cold. “I just thought the two of you had something going on,” I mumble, turning my head to glance out the window. “So when is this other club arriving?”
“Tonight or tomorrow. You excited for the rally?”
“I don’t know. If you’ve been to one, you’ve been to them all.” I shrug. I’ll be shocked if I actually get to go this time. I’m usually the one stuck staying behind to run the office. I’ve not been the past two years.
Only this time I’m riding on the back of Gray’s bike.
Not Madz.
Not Kaylene.
Me.
I’m surprised my brother agreed so easily.
We were all sitting around the bonfire shooting the shit when I mentioned I wanted to go to the rally this year to get a tattoo from Venom.
Shaggy offered to let me ride with him, but it was Gray who spoke up and said I’d ride with him.
Woods didn’t object. But I guess who better to entrust his sister to ride with for thousands of miles than his VP and best friend?
I shake out of my thoughts at the sound of my name coming from Gray’s mouth. “Are you going to help or sit here and daydream?”
Blinking, I glance out the window, realizing we’re at the clubhouse.
I roll my eyes and exit the truck. A few of the guys come out to help and I leave them to it. Of course Faye is nowhere to be found when there is any type of labor needing done. I shouldn’t be surprised. Gray and I trade looks. I wish I knew what goes through his head.
I can’t tell if he pities me or wants to jump my bones.
I get started prepping food for our visitors and wondering where we are putting them all.
Caves and Cash answer my unspoken question when I overhear them talking about someone running the bush hog over the field so they can set up their tents to camp out for a few days.
“Want some help?” Madz asks, peering around the doorway of the kitchen.
She may not be one of my favorite people, but she’s not afraid to work or get her hands dirty.
I put her to work peeling potatoes while chop onions and slice tomatoes. Gray starts toward me but takes one look at Madz and darts out the back door.
“What was that about?” I question, not really expecting an answer. We aren’t exactly friends, but we tolerate one another.
Madz glances around to make sure we’re alone. “I want to tell you something, but you’ve got to promise me it will stay between us.”
“Of course,” I promise, knowing whatever she tells me I will dissect it later on the phone with my bestie, Elsie Jo.
“Don’t get mad and shoot the messenger.”
“You’re worrying me.”
“It’s not bad. I swear. I mean, it’s good depending on how you look at it.”
“Okay.”
She takes a breath. “Maybe put down the knife first.”
I stare heavenward, but place the blade on the cutting board.
She purses her lips. “Thank you. So, a few nights ago I was in my room with Gray,” she whispers his name like he’s going to pop out from the corner and yell, ‘Boo.’ “We were, you know.” She makes a motion with her fist, putting it up next to her mouth, doing a blowjob gesture.
“I’m not sure I want to hear this.”
“Trust me. I don’t really want to be telling you any of this, but it’s pertinent to the story. Anyway, I was doing my thing when he called me Low.”
My eyes go wide. “He did what?”
“That’s what I’m saying. No offense, but when I’m doing anything with a man, the last thing I want is to be called another girl’s name and be a stand-in.”
“Maybe he said slow?”
“No, he definitely was thinking about you. He also called me pipsqueak, and we all know there’s only one person he calls that. Do with that what you will. I told him to keep out of my room, but I swore I wouldn’t say anything. So please keep this between us.”
I nod. She must be mistaken. Was this after we had our encounter in the woods?
Could Gray have been thinking about me when he was with her? The thought is ludicrous. And yet, I wonder. When he saw her, he ran out of here like the room was on fire.
He called her pipsqueak.
My belly gets all warm.
Gray was thinking about me.