Jenna doesn’t look back. She squares her shoulders, lifts her chin, and closes the door behind her. I fall back onto the bed, scrubbing my hands over my face.
It’s time to deal with the pieces of shit threatening our town and our club. I get dressed and walk out the door.
CHAPTER TWELVE
jenna
The next sixdays fly by as my focus stays on wrapping up the school year. Summer break is so close I can taste it. I pack the last of my bags, taking my personal belongings home for the next few months. Across the room, the door opens, and Jill’s kind face greets me. One of the second-grade teachers at our school, I’ve seen her around a lot but haven’t had time to get to know her. She replaced another teacher that oddly, up and left, three-fourths of the way through the school year. Today she is wearing a bright yellow dress dotted with sunflowers that flows around her, and her short, wavy brown hair falls around her face with one side tucked behind her ear, showcasing her numerous piercings. She looks effortlessly beautiful.
“Hi, Jenna!” she says in a cheery voice, walking into the classroom.
“Hey, Jill. Enjoying the last day of school?” I ask with a smile.
“Oh my gosh, yes! I feel like this school year dragged on. Now, I’m ready to have some fun,” she says with a mischievous smile on her face. Jill walks over and begins helping me place my things in boxes.
“I’m sorry I didn’t come over to chat with you more. You seem like someone I’d really get along with,” she adds with anapologetic look. “It’s been crazy taking over for Mr. Meyers on such short notice.”
“Oh, stop. Don’t apologize. I was so busy I didn’t even try to hang out with anyone, anyway.” I snort as I move a finished box to the back counter.
As Jill walks beside me, I notice a small tattoo behind her ear—a rose with petals falling from the flower and a word written in some kind of chicken scratch. I open my mouth to ask her what it says, but she continues talking before I can.
“Well, if you’re up for it, I’d love to get to know you! My friends and I are going to Tipsy in two weekends. I know it’s weird to plan this far ahead, but everyone’s busy this weekend and next. I wanted to ask you to join us,” Jill says with a smile, waiting for my response.
Tipsy is a club in the next town over. A few of the teachers were raving about it last week, talking about the drinks and the atmosphere. I hesitate, unsure whether to accept her offer. With the school year ending, I’ll have time for fun, but I don’t really know Jill or her friends.
“Um, I’m not sure, Jill. That’s really nice of you to offer, but—” I say warily.
“Come on, it’ll be great! You’ll be with me the whole time,” she says, batting her long lashes.
I think about it again, maybe Marley can come with me. But remember Marley will be in California that weekend for some major tech unveiling she’s been talking about for weeks.
Jill doesn’t break eye contact with me while waiting and I start to feel awkward not giving her a response.
“Okay, yeah, I’ll come,” I sigh, giving her a half-smile.
“Yay! You won’t regret it. We’re going to have such a good time! I got your number from Mrs. Adams so I’ll text you the details.” Jill waves goodbye and leaves, her cheeriness contagious.
For the first time, I feel excited about making some work friends. This year has been lonely, trying to figure everything out on my own and only having Marley to complain to. She’s a great listener, but she doesn’t understand the ins and outs of teaching. I finish collecting my stuff, turn off the lights, and lock up for the summer.
Two weeks later, as I drive to the club, Axel occupies my thoughts. The last time I went out for the evening, I got more than I bargained for. We haven’t talked or seen each other since he left my apartment three weeks ago. Cal and Jax took shifts watching the apartment for a few days, but with seemingly nothing happening, two prospects took over their duties. Cal explained that prospects are men who aren’t fully patched members of the club yet, but are proving their loyalty. They prospect for a year, hoping to earn their place in the club.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve learned a lot about MC life, and I’m still unsure how I feel about it. Part of me understands the family aspect of the club—the need to have people who always have your back. But the constant danger and tension I have seen, seems like it would become too much.
Thanks to Mia, I’ve met a few more women from the club. She invited Marley and me to dinner with some of the “old ladies,” as she calls them.
I met Sierra, who’s Jax’s wife, and Cali, who’s with Gunner. I haven’t met him yet, but he is the Hell Chaser’s Road Captain. Again, more terms I really am not familiar with.
I wasn’t sure what I had expected when meeting the women, but they are probably the most welcoming people I have evermet. Sierra works as the office manager for one of the MC’s mechanic shops, using her accounting degree. Cali, surprisingly, is one of the top attorneys in the county. I thought she was joking when she told me, seeing as how she was with a man who is in a biker club, but she just shrugged when I mentioned it. “My work and home life don’t usually cross paths unless the club needs my help. I’m on retainer for that,” she said nonchalantly.
I’m impressed by how smart and interesting these women are. After dinner, we planned a girl’s night for next week when Marley is back. The girls want to wait until the situation with the Reapers dies down. All three have someone from the club assigned to protect them, which they don’t seem to mind, but I struggle to understand why I need the same level of protection.
Even though Death tried to scare me, I’ve taken precautions. I carry pepper spray on my keychain and keep a taser in my car. Both make me feel safer. I’ve also signed up for women’s self-defense classes starting tomorrow. I hated how scared that man made me feel that night, and how unprepared I had been. I was able to get Marley to sign up too. Blaze was very on board about the idea and helped me convince her it was needed.
He comes by most nights, bringing dinner and spending time with Marley. I don’t mind having Blaze around, but I always find myself looking to see if Axel is outside or walking in behind him. I hate that I look for him, it was a one off and I need to remember that. Gripping the steering wheel, I try to focus on the excitement of meeting new friends tonight, though I wish Marley were with me.
Pulling into the parking lot, I find a spot close to the front. Tonight, I’m wearing a skin-tight, mini black dress with a plunging neckline that shows off a lot of cleavage, paired with little black stilettos that make my legs look incredible. I’ve had this dress in the back of my closet for almost a year now withnowhere to wear it. This club is known for being sexy, so I chose to finally put it to good use.
Before I go in I decide to call Marley. We haven’t checked in yet today and I’m almost about to talk myself into just heading home. The phone rings a few times before Mar picks up.
