Chapter 15
Me and Pops were deadlocked. I couldn’t believe he’d taken a meeting with Hamilton without me.
As angry as I was, I appreciated him doing it for Jelai and her mom, regardless of how Diane felt about me.
Knowing that Jelai felt safe enough to be honest with him after her mom told her not to talk to me about the situation with The Outlaws made me feel good.
I still felt like he was an irresponsible child who made a horrible choice without letting me know what was up.
“What were you thinking meeting him alone?” I scolded through gritted teeth. “Anything could have happened. It could have been an ambush and no one would have known what happened to you.”
“I ain’t new to this, Son. I’m true to this shit. I made sure I called all the shots, selected the meeting space, and was there early enough to ensure he came alone. I picked a place that would search him for weapons upon arrival, so I knew I’d be good.”
Sighing, I shook my head and my leg. “So what happened?”
“He basically stood firm on the fact that we can’t come to an agreement and have peace unless we have to join forces for some reason.
And seeing as The Ridahs would never be a threat to either of us, I don’t see us having to come together for anything.
We have no common ground, and the only morals we have in common is our loyalty to one another and unwillingness to tolerate disrespect.
I did get him to agree not to bring Southern Delightz into this.
He was really doing that to taunt Jelai, and in turn, lure you out.
So I’m glad she didn’t tell you, because your hot headed ass would have taken the bait. ”
“So what now?” I questioned.
“In exchange for him not bothering Diane, I agreed to let The Outlaws use our old clubhouse. Apparently, their clubhouse was mold infested and causing a lot of their members health issues, so they had to shut it down. That’s why they’ve been at that arcade and the restaurant.
With me giving him the clubhouse, that’s giving us a temporary truce.
So the original agreement stands. As long as we don’t bother them, they won’t bother us, but the moment shit hits the fan, we’re going for blood. ”
That gave me a little relief. “That’s good enough for me to not have to worry about Jelai so much. As long as they stay on their side of town and we stay in our territory, we’ll be good.”
“That’s what I said. I pulled up on Jelai at the restaurant and shared the news with her and her mom.
Diane was relieved and grateful that the Outlaws wouldn’t be hanging around anymore.
I did you a solid, because now, she likes me.
” His smile made me chuckle. “Not like that but you know what I mean. I gave you an in. She told me that your mom and I can have lunch there any time, and I asked if the invitation extended to you. With an attitude, she said yes.”
Now that made me laugh. That lady didn’t know me and had never had a conversation with me and couldn’t stand me. Meanwhile, her daughter was in love with me.
“I’ll take what I can get. Thanks, Pops. I ’preciate you looking out.”
“Always. I feel like I haven’t really been able to father you because you were gone for so long, so anything I can do to help you and my daughter, I will.”
“You helped and fathered me more than you realize. I am who I am because of you. You and Mama kept my head up and my spirit strong for that decade I was gone. Don’t ever question that.”
We shook hands and talked for a little while longer before I left his man cave.
Dinner would be ready soon, then he was going to head to the clubhouse, but I was going to see my gal.
I was spending the night with Jelai so much I started paying her rent.
Mama wasn’t tripping about it thankfully because she knew how much Jelai meant to me.
All she asked was that I came home for lunch or dinner, and I would give her that with no hesitation.
Knowing Pops had come to some kind of agreement with Hamilton made me feel better, but I still didn’t trust his ass.
I knew there was a chance he’d try to bait me or another member of the club into fighting so he could declare war and shed blood, and I honestly didn’t know if I’d be able to stand down.
A part of me knew we’d stay at war as long as we both were living, and if it came down to his life or mine, I’d take his and not think twice about it.
Three Weeks Later
It was the first bike night that I had Jelai by my side and she was having a blast. She’d asked if her friends could come, and I told her that was cool. Sonny and Cole were entertaining them, so I still had Jelai to myself.
The music was blasting as we congregated around our bikes.
Eventually, we’d ride out. For now, we talked, ate, smoke, drank, and enjoyed ourselves like a family.
Tomorrow, we’d start planning our trip for the kids to a waterpark like we did every summer, and before they went back to school, we’d do our community fundraiser for backpacks and school supplies.
Since this would be the first one I’d be able to participate in as an adult, I was looking forward to being able to help.
I already planned to put flyers up at the shop and allow my customers to give donations there as well.
“Baby!” I could tell by the slight slur that Jelai was tipsy. I chuckled as I turned around and saw her making her way over to me. “When do we get to go for a ride?”
“Technically whenever you want, but they’ll probably leave as a group in another hour or so.”
“Okay. I can wait until then.”
“You think you gon’ be ready for your lessons any time soon?” I checked, wrapping my arms around her.
“Hmm maybe, but I enjoy riding behind you.”
“I enjoy you riding behind me, but I also enjoy you riding me too.” She licked her lips and lowered her hands to my ass. “Watch out. You know I don’t like that shit,” I reminded, pushing her hands down.
Jelai giggled. “You let me do it when you’re inside me.”
“Only because that pussy be feeling so good I don’t be caring. I’m in my right mind now though.”
“Mhm,” she teased, rolling her eyes playfully.
“Hey, boo,” Yana said, handing Jelai a small basket of cheese fries.
“Ooh thanks, boo. These look delicious,” Jelai replied.
“Sholl do,” I said, taking a cheese covered fry and putting it in my mouth.
“We’re about to go eat at the diner across the street. You sure y’all don’t want to come?” Yana asked.
“Yeah. I think we’re gonna get tacos and tequila from the bar before we go right, baby?”
I nodded as I finished chewing. “Yeah, we can get them now if you want.”
“Ooh now I wanna be fajitaed and margaritaed,” Yana said, and hearing that shit made me laugh hard as hell.
“Y’all might as well come with us then,” I offered once my laughter died down.
“Aww you sure? I don’t want to interrupt y’all date night.”
“Seeing as y’all pulled up on us hours ago, it’s a little late for that, sis,” Jelai teased before blowing her a kiss and telling her and Ashley to come on. Of course, Sonny and Cole came to keep them entertained.
As we made our way into the bar, I squeezed Jelai’s ass and pulled her into my chest. She giggled and wrapped her arm around mine.
It felt good being able to be with her in public and not have to worry about consequences.
We’d gone on a few official dates since the temporary truce, and I was planning a surprise trip for us to Vegas for next weekend.
I didn’t want to take a trip too soon since I was still a prospect and it was important I be in town to participate in as much as I could, but I was ready to start traveling and taking complete advantage of being a free man.
As the days passed, it was easier for me to be around people, and I was spending less time cooped up in one room.
Jelai had a lot to do with that. Whenever she noticed I was drowning in solitude for hours at a time, she found a way to pull me out of that shell.
Things were going great for me, for us, and it finally felt like I could breathe easy and trust that everything was going to be okay.