Aubrielle Chapter 8 #3
That was how I ended up back inside, surrounded by club brothers, laughing and enjoying a drink before going home with my man. It took a while to get Shadow to smile. He detested anyone saying ugly stuff to me. I knew how to soothe him into a better mood.
???
I was at the college, taking my next-to-last final exam of the semester.
The last exam was on Thursday. After Friday night at the club, I spent Saturday and Sunday splitting my time between studying and Shadow before going to work.
He insisted on helping me study. When I told him I felt like I was neglecting him, he shook his head.
“You’re not. Your grades and degree come first. It’s only for a few more days.”
There had been no more issues at Eden those two nights, thankfully. I went, danced, and then left. I spent the entire weekend at his place. I loved spending time there. The morning after our first night together, he gave me a tour of his place. It was incredible.
At home growing up, our house wasn’t anything special.
We didn’t live in a hovel, but no one cared about keeping up with repairs and the like.
Dad and my brothers were perfectly fine with it as it was.
Any effort to make it feel warmer or more homey was met with mockery, or I was told to stop wasting money.
Shadow’s house had four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, and one-half bathroom.
It also had an office, a kitchen and dining room combo, a mudroom/laundry room, and a great family room with a fireplace.
Plus, the main bedroom suite had dual walk-in closets and a fireplace.
The suite’s bathroom had double vanities.
That was everything that made up the house’s main floor.
The house was built with one side buried into an elevated section of dirt, so what was technically the basement on the front side and the second level on the backyard side housed three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a family room with a wet bar, and a mechanical room.
It was technically a Craftsman-style house with lots of exposed, stained posts, beams, and a veranda-style porch that wrapped around the sides and back of the house.
The exterior was painted a medium taupe-brown with white trim, and it featured all the stained-wood elements.
Connected to it via the mudroom was the three-car garage.
It had almost a mountainish feel to it, sort of like a chalet met a Craftsman and had a baby. When I told Shadow that, he laughed and said he hadn’t found the word to describe it before, but I had.
The inside was filled with top-of-the-line appliances, finishes, and flooring. Granite counters, hardwood floors, and walls painted in a neutral light sand color that would go with any color scheme. He said the old ladies, his mom, and his sister had picked the color out for him.
I loved the way he talked about his blood family.
It was apparent they were close, and he loved them.
I wondered what they were like. And what they’d say when he told them about me.
I was nervous about it and was too afraid to ask him when he planned to tell them.
I dreaded it. What if they heard what I did for a living and hated me?
Or if they told him I wasn’t good enough for him?
Or what if they pretended to be okay with his choice, yet were cold whenever he wasn’t around?
I told myself that if they were anything like Shadow, it wouldn’t happen, but I still stressed about it. I’d never seriously dated anyone enough to meet their parents. And I sure dreaded anyone meeting my dad and brothers.
“Hey, Aubrielle, how are you?” Leigh’s voice came from behind me.
I was seated at a table in the student quad.
Shadow was on his way. He texted to let me know he was running behind and to stay with other people.
I had a view of the spot he picked me up at in the distance, so I’d know when he arrived.
I twisted around to find Leigh approaching from my right.
She wore a sheepish expression, no doubt thinking about Friday night. I gave her a small smile.
“Hi, Leigh, I’m doing well. Just finished another final. One more to go. How about you?”
She pointed to the chair across from me. I nodded, and she sat in it.
“I had one yesterday and another in half an hour. I’m glad I ran into you.
I want to apologize again for how Nate, Cleo, Vickie, and Danny acted and what they said.
They had no right. I meant what I said. I’m done with them.
I called them the next day and told them that.
They don’t see anything wrong with the way they acted, but that’s their character deficit.
“I hate it when people treat others like they’re unworthy or something.
Many of us have to make sacrifices sometimes.
Clearly, none of them has ever had to do something they didn’t like to survive.
They need to learn not to cast aspersions on anyone.
They’re lucky they haven’t had to walk in the shoes of those they criticize and look down upon. ”
“You sound as if you speak from experience,” I replied.
“I do. I grew up in a less-than-ideal home. My mom and I had to do whatever it took to survive. You’re dancing at Eden to pay for your schooling, aren’t you?” Leigh asked.
“I am. It was one of the few things I could do to make enough money to pay for school, make a living, and save for my future. I have six months to go, and I’ll be free to quit.
I never expected to have the popularity I do.
When I auditioned two years ago, I had zero experience, but the Punishers gave me a chance.
One of the experienced dancers, Dusty, took me under her wing.
She showed me how to create routines and make my own costumes.
I’ll always be grateful to her for it. Most of the women I dance with are single moms taking care of their kids, paying for school, or saving for a down payment on a house.
I appreciate your apology, but you don’t have to.
There is one thing I do want to ask you about that night,” I tacked on, wanting to change the conversation.
“Sure, ask me.”
“How do you know what an old lady is in a motorcycle club?” I asked.
“It was through my mom. She never said how she knew it. She was weird about things like that. And she always told me to stay away from them. When I asked, she said they treated women like shit. I don’t mean to overstep, but is Shadow good to you?
He seemed to care, and so did the other guys in his club. ”
“Shadow cares very much for me. And his entire club: his club brothers, their old ladies, and the kids are wonderful. I didn’t grow up in a close, loving family. They’ve taken me in and given me one,” I admitted.
“You’re so lucky. My childhood wasn’t great, but it could’ve been worse.
That’s why I’m determined to get my degree and make something of myself.
I never want to have to rely on others to take care of me.
My mom did that. I got a later start in college than I'd have liked, but I’m here now. I have a year left. I can’t wait.”
Her tone made me think she might be a kindred soul. I held back from pushing her to tell me more, but I saw the sadness in her eyes.
“Are you from Bristol?” I asked.
“No, but my Mom lived here years ago before I was born. I never had a real home, so after she died, I spent time moving around until I ended up here. She had no family, and I never knew my dad. If it’s me against the world, I can live anywhere.
For some reason, when I came here to check it out, it felt like home, unlike anywhere else I've lived, so I moved. Did you grow up here?”
“No, about an hour away in Big Stone Gap. It’s a little town northwest of here. I have family there, but I’d prefer not to have any. They’re not nice people.” I had no idea why I confessed that to her. Maybe it was the feeling of connection I felt to her.
We sat there, talking about our finals, classes, and more.
I found out Leigh was three years older than me.
We talked for about ten minutes before I heard and then saw Shadow pull up.
As we parted ways, I gave Leigh a hug, which she returned, and told her good luck.
I felt like I might’ve found another person to add to my friend pool.
Moving to Bristol had turned out to be by far the best move of my lifetime.