When he managed to calm her, he stood and went into the restroom.
Crazy Bitch was about to get off her stool to approach her when she saw the bitch’s face. Any sympathy she had for the woman died.
The bitch had reached inside her purse and checked her makeup with an expression that she had seen on too many women’s face.
She wasn’t surprised when she saw Taylor hastily put the mirror back inside her purse and her lovely eyes once again swam with tears when her husband came out of the bathroom.
Crazy Bitch swung back on her stool. “Fuck me.”
“Pardon me?” the waitress asked, setting the bag of food down in front of her.
“Nothing.” She stood, throwing a twenty down on the counter. “Keep the change.”
“Wow, a whole dollar. You sure you don’t need it more than I do?”
She was angry at herself that she had her mind on what was going on back in Gavin’s room that she hadn’t paid attention to the total of the ticket. As a woman who worked hard for her tip money, she always made sure she gave a good tip. On the other hand, when her customers didn’t tip well, she didn’t get in their faces.
“Now that you mention it, I do.” She patiently held out her hand for the dollar, glad her food was already bagged and in her other hand.
Taking the dollar that was thrown down on the counter, she reached into her back pocket and took out her wad of pocket money. She took out a ten and two more twenties, handing the bills back to her waitress.
“The ten is for you. The twenties are to pay for Pollyanna’s lunch over there in the green top. Tell her that was the best performance I’ve ever witnessed.”
Crazy Bitch found Peyton still sitting where she had left her. Taking out her hamburger, she ate it, still fuming.
Women like Taylor made her ashamed to be a woman. She was willing to bet a thousand dollars that, when Taylor had found out Gavin was missing, she had soaked up all the attention she could, and when she couldn’t get anymore, she had married the sucker who had been sitting next to her in the booth. Now, with Gavin returned, she had waited until she couldn’t hold it over the poor sap she was married to anymore, turning the screws until she was ready to put him out of his misery by seeing Gavin.
Gavin would see that bitch again; she would put bank on it. She hoped she was wrong, sweet Jesus, she hoped she was wrong, but experience breeds contempt.
Her mother had shed the same crocodile tears every time she had wanted something. She had watched her cry fake tears every time she had lost custody of her, or one of her lovers had gotten tired of being used for their money. Even their landlords had been treated to them when they had threatened to evict her.
Taylor had the same scheming expression as her mother when her husband had gone to the bathroom. Crazy Bitch could sniff out a fraud five hundred miles away, but she had missed the scent outside of Gavin’s door because it had been too hard to watch.
She mentally gave Taylor one point by getting her once. Now she was on her scent. She never involved herself in anyone’s personal business, but if the bitch showed up again, she would make sure to introduce herself.
Calming herself, she opened the bag and started eating the burger she had bought for Calder. She always ate when she was mad. It was easier to deal with losing five pounds versus letting the fury that was simmering below her surface out.
“I thought you were saving that for Calder?”
“It’s cold now; no need wasting money.” She looked at Peyton as she took another bite of the burger.
“How many hamburger patties are on it?”
“Three.”
“That’s the same as the one you just ate?”
“So?” She opened the bag again, taking out his fries. “I eat when I’m upset, okay?”
“I tend to eat when I’m upset, too, but I don’t eat the whole cow.”
“I already planned to eat salads for a week to make up the five pounds I’m going to gain.”
“I’d make it two weeks and keep nine-one-one on speed dial.”
Killyama’s mother got her point across. Crazy Bitch wrapped what was left of the burger and fries, putting them back in the bag.
“Peyton, you remember how I used to say I wished you were my mother when I came home with Killyama on the bus?”
“Yes, those are some of my fondest memories.” The attractive woman didn’t look old enough to have a child Killyama’s age. Crazy Bitch prayed she looked that good at her age.
“Today isn’t one of those days.”
Peyton wasn’t upset by her snarky comment.
“I wish Gavin had your appetite. He’s so tall that you can’t tell when he gains a pound. I found a short-term lease that starts in three days. I promised to make him some home cooking. Some of The Last Riders have been sending food when their husbands come, but it’s not the same when you have to reheat it, and Gavin doesn’t like leftovers.”
“You’ve gotten attached to him, haven’t you?”
“He’s like the son I never had. I am so blessed to have both Train and Gavin in my life now. You can never have too many people who give you reason to get out of bed in the morning.”
“And Gavin gives you that reason?”
“Oh yes. Killyama comes and visits me all the time, and so do Jonas and Hammer. But Train and Gavin need me. There’s a difference.” Affection filled Peyton’s voice.
“What does Train need you for? He seems pretty self-sufficient to me.”
“He needs me to remind him of what it’s like to have a family. I think he misses his mother and sisters, and while I could never take their place, I think I fill a space so he doesn’t feel as empty inside.”
Crazy Bitch laid her hand over hers. “You do more than that. You’re what a mother should be. You’re home.”
She didn’t get sympathetic often, but Peyton had been there numerous times for her. She had given her a couch to sleep on many nights when she hadn’t wanted to go home to her mother. She was the one she had called when she had found her mother’s body, sheltering her in loving arms as the coroner had wheeled the woman out of her bedroom on a gurney. Peyton had pleaded and begged with her not to drop out of high school. She had also been the one to tutor her in algebra. She was an expert at mothering. Gavin couldn’t be in better hands.
Both of them were watching Gavin’s door when Calder came out. He looked as tired as she felt.
“The nurse gave Gavin a sedative. Peyton, I’m going to stay for a few days. If you want, you can go back to Jamestown. Can you give Crazy Bitch a ride if you do?”
“I’d like to stay in case he asks for me. I can drive her home, but I’m coming right back.”
Crazy Bitch shook her head. “It’s almost a four-hour drive. I’ll rent a car.”
Calder frowned. “I hate to put you out, but I don’t want to leave Gavin.”
“It’s not a problem. I’d stay if I didn’t have appointments tomorrow.”
“If you’re ready, I’ll drive you to get the car. I want to be back before Gavin wakes up,” Calder explained.
Crazy Bitch gave Peyton a hug before leaving.
As they walked toward the parking lot, Calder took her hand. She cast him a surprised glance.
“I’ve never held a man’s hand before. Joker would have laughed his head off if I tried to hold his.”
“Joker was a fucking idiot.” Releasing her hand, he gave her the keys to his bike. “You want to drive?”
She almost cried. “You’ll let me drive your bike?”
“Why not? It’s not like any of the brothers will see. I’ve seen you ride; you can handle it.”
She straddled the bike, turning it on and gripping the handlebars as Calder got on behind her.
“You remember when I said I knew I was in love with you when you pulled me back over the cliff?”
“Yeah.”
“I may have been wrong.”
He settled his chin on her shoulder as he curled his arms around he
r waist. She leaned the side of her head to rest on his.
“This…” She stared down at the powerful machine beneath her thighs, proud of the confidence he was placing on her. “This is love.”
23
Crazy Bitch opened a bottle of beer, seeing Bear eyeing her enviously. Taking a drink, she showed her satisfaction as the cold beer slid down her throat.
“Quit bugging Bear.”
“I’m not bugging him. I’m minding my own business.”
“You didn’t have to tell him that he couldn’t have one of the ones Calder bought for you.”
“Stud, anytime Bear wants to buy the beer with his own money, or club money, I’ll be gracious. Calder bought these for me, and I’m not sharing. If he had given me roses, Bear wouldn’t expect me to share. I don’t see any reason that it shouldn’t be the same way with beer.”
“You can’t drink a flower,” Stud countered. “You’re hurting his feelings.”
“The big wuss will survive. If I give him one, all the brothers will want one, too. That’ll leave me with zip, zilch, nada. So, I’m not sharing. At least until you buy me more beer, or I get paid.” She looked across the table to where Sex Piston was watching her and Stud argue back and forth.
“I can’t pay her until Friday. Besides, Crazy Bitch has a point. Why don’t you just buy more Millers?”
“I did,” he reluctantly admitted. “They drank it all.”
“See?” Crazy Bitch grabbed a handful of the popcorn she had popped at the beauty shop and brought to the clubhouse to share. “You need to start a factory like The Last Riders, or make the brothers start paying dues. Or, better yet, do what the other clubs do—get involved in illegal shit.”
“Like what?” Stud took a handful of popcorn.
“How about gun running?”
“Everybody in Kentucky has guns.”
“That’s the point. We could steal them and sell them to people in other states who don’t have them.”
“There’s a problem with that. Everyone in Kentucky knows how to use them. The brothers would be dodging lead if they tried breaking into anyone’s house to steal them.”
“That’s true.” She nibbled on the popcorn. “I came up with the idea. You’re the club president; you can fine tune it.”
“Fine tune what? Getting the brothers killed or landing them in jail?” he caustically replied, taking out his wallet and motioning for Bear. “Go on a beer run. Make sure you get a case of Miller Lite. Mark it with my name.”
She placed a hand over her chest as if she had been stabbed. “That hurt. I would share my beer with you.”
“I don’t drink Miller.” He didn’t react to her mocking exaggeration.
“I have an idea.” Sex Piston beamed as if she had solved the never-ending lack of club’s money.
“I hope it’s better than Crazy Bitch’s.” Killyama moved the popcorn closer to her. “I’d hate making money just for her to skip out on bail for breaking and entering.”
“It is.” Sex Piston excitedly slammed her beer down on the table. “Why don’t we pool our money together and invest in Penni’s invention. Lily said she’s looking for investors.”
“Count me out,” Killyama jeered. “I wouldn’t trust her with cooking, much less with my money.”
Crazy Bitch coughed out the popcorn kernel that had become lodged in her throat.
“What invention?” Stud turned toward Sex Piston, his interest piqued.
“I haven’t shown you yet. I was waiting for your birthday.”
“I agree with Killyama. Forget I said anything. I think dues are the way to go.” Finally able to talk, she tried to close the discussion before another dick was hurt.
“What kind of investment is it?”
Crazy Bitch’s shoulders slumped at Stud’s refusal to change the subject. She tried to wiggle her eyebrows at Sex Piston. Either she didn’t see or didn’t care.
“It’s a sex toy.”
“And you haven’t let me use it on you yet?”
Her heart fluttered at the sensuous smile Stud gave Sex Piston. Damn, where was Calder when she needed him? Then she remembered he wouldn’t be back until tomorrow night. The longer he was away, the sexier Stud was looking to her.
“It’s for men,” Sex Piston explained.
“Really?” His interest racked up another notch. “We can ask your parents if the kids can stay with them tomorrow night, and we can see if it’s worth investing in.”
The conservation was going from bad to worse. Drumming her fingers on the table, she tried to think of a way to save Stud’s dick without breaking her promise to Calder about what happened to his.
Inspiration struck.
“Do you really want your kids to know you’re making money off a sex toy?”
“It doesn’t bother Willa. She’s rich as fuck from a condom company.”
Crazy Bitch shot Killyama a dirty look at that revelation.
“Don’t forget the one she gave us was a prototype. You know Penni. I wouldn’t use it until she gets feedback from the others she gave it to.”
Sex Piston waved her suggestion away. “She only gave them to us. She texted me the other day, asking how the men liked it. I told her we hadn’t tried it yet. If my parents keep the kids, we can give her all the feedback she wants.”
“I haven’t used the one she gave me.” Killyama snorted. “I’m not letting any contraption of hers near Train’s dick.”
“It’s just a fucking vibrator. You’re both acting like it’s a drill. We have four kids who need their college educations paid for. If that vibrator is any good, you better believe me, we’ll be investing. Isn’t that right, Stud?”
When Crazy Bitch turned her eyes toward him at Sex Piston’s question, she saw that he had been watching her own expression.
“I think we should wait until Penni gets at least a couple reviews.”
She glanced away from his penetrating stare. Then she blinked upward several times, trying to give a subtle hint. “I think twenty reviews sounds like a good, even number.”
“The kids need a college fund. They’ll need a nursing home before you make up your mind,” Sex Piston complained, seeing her imaginary fortune slip away.
Satisfied that Stud wouldn’t let the toy near his dick, Crazy Bitch relaxed, enjoying her beer and the music. It would have been better if Calder was there, but a girl couldn’t have it all.
“Fat Louise finally got here,” Crazy Bitch told the others as Fat Louise waved, making her way toward their table.
“Guess who got her promotion,” she said, sitting down.
“That’s cool.” Crazy Bitch was thrilled for her. She had worked hard for the job that she had been promised several months ago.
“Not only that, but Sam called in and quit today. They said he missed the last couple of days, and when the doctor called, he quit.”
“Thank fuck!” Crazy Bitch shouted out, the burden of keeping the secret of being roofied by him falling off her shoulders. “You all can have a beer on me. You just made my night, girlfriend.” She laughed, relieved that Fat Louise wouldn’t have to work with the sneaky asshole.
“Does that mean we can tell Stud now?” Fat Louise looked at her questioningly. “I hated keeping the secret. Cade won’t be happy that I didn’t tell him, but I’ll make it up to him. I’ll break out that present that Penni gave us.”
Her joy at Fat Louise’s announcement dimmed.
“I would save that for another—”
“Forget the toy. What secret?” Stud interrupted brusquely.
Sex Piston, Killyama, T.A., and Fat Louise began munching on the popcorn, leaving Crazy Bitch the only one able to answer.
“We can talk about it later.”
“Now.”
Crazy Bitch swallowed hard. It wasn’t often that she found herself on the receiving end of the hard gaze he was giving her.
“There’s a reason I quit seeing Sam. He tried to roofie me when we went to the drive-in.”
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Stud’s face grew dark. “And why didn’t you want me or any of the brothers to know?”
“I wanted Fat Louise to get her promotion. As soon as she got the promotion and got past the six-week trial period, I would have told you.”
“I see.”
Crazy Bitch paled at the lethal stillness of those around them. When the music stopped, she knew the brothers were listening in. Their anger was evident when she reluctantly looked up to gauge their reactions.
“I only told Fat Louise because I didn’t want her working with the fucker. She wanted that job. I didn’t have the proof he did it. It would have been his word against mine. No one would have believed me.”
“I would have.”
“You’re not the one handing out promotions.”
“Tell him all of it.” Sex Piston’s face tightened when Stud shot her the same glare.
“What else is there to tell?” Crazy Bitch tried to keep from confessing anything else. The man was so furious his eyelid was twitching.
“That he gave you a black eye and that you missed three days’ of work because of him. Bitch, I work beside you; don’t think I didn’t notice that pancake makeup under your eye.”
“That didn’t matter. I blackened his, too.”
“It matters to me,” Stud ground out.
“Me, too.” Killyama gave them all looks of betrayal. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to tell Train. He would have told Stud.”
“You’re right about that.” Train maneuvered through the crowd to lay his hand on Killyama’s shoulder.
“Is there anything else you forgot to tell me?”
She really didn’t want to tell Stud anything else, but the warning glint in Sex Piston’s eyes had her confessing the rest.
“He called me one night, calling me names, but I took care of it. I went to his office and played the recording.”
His dark expression went from bad to worse. Stud’s fury had her regretting having her friends keep the secret. She should have known Fat Louise wouldn’t keep quiet.
“You still have the recording on your phone? I would think twice before lying to me.”