“I’ll call him,” Dad said and stepped away from the group.
“Mom, how’s your leg?” I asked and was completely ignored. After the third Mom, I said, “Yo Alice!”
“Sorry, dear,” she said distractedly. “These comments … I’m … This isn’t my usual audience. I’m afraid I may have brought some unwanted attention to the Blackwings. A lot of it.”
“What do you mean by unwanted attention?” Ink asked, sounding concerned.
“Holy shit, Alice!” Dad said excitedly as he returned to the group. “The numbers are crazy!”
“But the comments,” Mom said dejectedly. “Yes, I knew having handsome shirtless men would boost my views, but some of these folks are feral. I feel a bit like a madam, and I don’t think it’s the leadership role for me.”
“Yes, Miles and I thought that might be your reaction. He suggested continuing the live stream and donating the remainder of today’s earnings to help victims of domestic violence. After obtaining consent from our instructors, of course.”
Bronze, Batta, and Savior were more than happy to continue with the live stream, particularly Batta, whose mother was murdered trying to protect her friend from an abusive husband.
“We’re going to extend the break for another fifteen minutes to allow some others to join us,” Bronze announced.
“What is he talking about?” I asked Ink.
“What makes you think I know? I’ve been here with you.”
“Because you bikers seem to know everything without actually talking to each other.”
“It’s because we know each other almost as well as we know ourselves,” he said simply. “But if I had to guess, I’d say some texts were sent and more brothers are on their way over to help boost the views.”
“Are you serious?” I asked.
Ink nodded. “Batta isn’t the only one this touches personally. Jake’s mom, Keegan, was badly beaten by her abusive stepfather before she was with Shaker. Byte’s mother was killed by hisabusive stepfather. Evie’s father and brother beat the hell out of her before they tried to kill her, twice.”
“Can I ask what happened to the abusers?”
“I think they’re all dead now,” I said, unable to recall if Keegan’s stepfather was still around. Seems like he died in prison.
“Presley, look!” my mom said excitedly.
I followed the direction she was looking to see Phoenix, Badger, Dash, Duke, Carbon, and Shaker entering the gym.
“The officers have arrived,” Bronze announced. “Are we ready to resume class?”
“Yes, but if it’s not too much trouble, could the officers arrive again so we can get it on camera?” Mom asked. “I think that’s the?—”
“Thumbnail image!” I blurted. “Yes, I agree. Let’s do that. Okay, who’s ready?”
“What was that?” Ink asked.
“She was going to say money shot,” I whispered. “She refuses to believe it means what it means.”
“It is defined as a pivotal or climactic moment,” Mom huffed. We’d had this discussion several times before.
“With semen,” I said. “That’s the climactic moment—the ejaculation.”
“Bleck,” Mom gagged. “Such a nursey explanation.”
I shrugged. “Nursey or not, I’m right.”
Our discussion was interrupted when the officers re-entered the gym, and they put on a show for the cameras. I nearly doubled over when Jake groaned in embarrassment as his dad ripped his T-shirt from his chest and twirled it over his head.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Jake mumbled.
