“How do you even know all about that?” I question my dad, confusion filling me as I look at him before turning to face Knuckles.
“Don’t look at me. I haven’t told your dad anythin’,” he says, putting his hands up in surrender as he starts laughing because my dad always seems to find out things none of us tell him.
“It doesn’t matter how I know that part you conveniently left out. All I know is Sheridan is a good girl and you’re treatin’ her like shit for no fuckin’ reason. Your mom is goin’ to see her tomorrow and I hope she lets us in. If she doesn’t, you’re gonna be the one dealin’ with your mom. She won’t be happy and I’ll kick your fuckin’ ass if I’m not allowed in my grandson’s life,” my dad states and I know he means every word.
My mom is the sweetest woman in the world until you piss her off. And it takes a lot to get her to the point she explodes. I’ve only seen it a handful of times in my life and it’s not a pretty sight. If Sheridan doesn’t let her be part of our son’s life, my mom will beat my ass, yell at me until she loses her voice, and make me feel lower than shit before she gives me the silent treatment. I won’t be allowed in their house and she’ll get all the women in the club to turn against me with her. Not because she’ll say anything to them, but because they’ll see her ignoring me and will follow her lead. It’s happened once in the past and I had to spend two weeks apologizing to her before she’d let me back in the house and started talking to me again. It's a good thing I have a room at the clubhouse or I would have been out on the street, sleeping in my truck.
“I’ve got something to say,” Marie calls out, standing from her seat and facing the room. “It’s come to our attention that you girls are overstepping and trying to force yourselves on the men here. Including the men who are taken. You’re not cleaning or doing anything else you’re supposed to be doing. This doesn’t just include the ones in this room right now either. I know at least one more is trying to use threats to get her way with one of the men in the club. This shit is pathetic and not wanted by any man in this club. I’m ready to kick all of your asses out and never let you back in the clubhouse for any reason.
“Foxy, until further notice, you’re on probation. This is your last warning. If I have to speak to you again, you’re out bad and no one here will ever talk to you again. You won’t be allowed in any of the club’s businesses and will end up being run out of town before you can make it to the end of the road. Between you and Jess, I’ve fucking had it. The guys don’t want anything to do with any of you because of your behavior lately. We all understand a lot of them have started to settle down and claimed an ol’ lady. That doesn’t give any of you the right to try to trap them, trick them, or any other desperate idea you come up with to get one of them to claim you. Newsflash! None of them will ever claim you as an ol’ lady. They don’t want someone everyone here has fucked or had suck their dick. You’re club girls and should know your damn place by now.”
The common room is so quiet you could hear a pin drop right now. I’m not sure who turned off the music, but even that’s silent. Foxy stands from the table she was cleaning and glares at Marie.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now? All this because I was in Tease’s bed waiting for him? I know he wanted me there and there’s no point in not giving him what he wants,” Foxy screams, not realizing how close she truly is to having the shit beat out of her by Marie.
“That’s a lie and everyone here knows it. Tease hasn’t touched a single one of you in weeks. If he wanted you in his bed, he wouldn’t have come in the common room before church as pissed as he was while you chased him and cried, Foxy. You’re a vile woman and none of the guys here have touched you unless they were desperate and didn’t want to go find a piece of strange outside the clubhouse. You know your time here is coming to an end and are doing anything you can think of to stay,” Marie says,her voice cold and hard and she steps toward Foxy and the other girls even remotely close to the club girl takes several steps back.
“Regardless of if I’ve touched any of the other girls here or not,” I begin, facing Marie for a minute because she called me out like that. “I never once asked you to enter my room for any reason and I never would. Foxy, I let you suck my cock one time and that’s it. I’ve never fucked you or gave you any indication I would fuck you. You’re used goods and I have standards to who I let in my bed. You don’t come close to fittin’ the criteria.”
“You’re lying!” Foxy screams, rage filling her face as she throws the glass she was holding in my direction knowing it won’t come close to me.
The glass almost hits Homicide as he heads for the table Omen and Rooster are sitting at.
“The fuck do you think you’re doin’?” he shouts, making Foxy shrink in on herself and fear fill her eyes.
Every girl here is scared of Homicide when he gets pissed off. Foxy almost hit him with a glass because she’s lying and pissed off about being called out by Marie and me. He won’t hesitate to eviscerate her with his words.
“I-I-I’m s-s-sorry, Homicide,” Foxy stammers, taking several steps away from him despite him not making a single advance in her direction.
“I suggest you stop your shit, Foxy. I’m ready to bring in all the ol’ ladies to beat your fuckin’ ass while we all watch them. You’re as bad as Jess is and she’s not here all the time like you are. This is your last warnin’. All of you. Marie shouldn’t have to continue talkin’ to you about this shit. You know your place here in the club and what you have to do on a daily basis. Start pullin’ your weight around here or get the fuck out. If we have to have another meetin’ like this, I’ll be the first to vote all yourasses out,” Homicide states, mainly looking at Foxy but letting his gaze roam over all the girls in the common room.
He continues making his way to take a seat next to Omen while Marie takes her seat next to Rooster again. I turn back toward the bar and take a long pull of my beer as the main door of the clubhouse opens and I look over to find Shelly walking in the clubhouse. This is the first time she’s ever been here and there isn’t a single ounce of fear in her as she looks around until she finds me. Anger fills her face and I know something was said by Sheridan or Shelly is just sick of me giving her the silent treatment the way I’ve been doing.
“Shelly, it’s good to see you,” my dad greets her, a smile on his face as she walks up to us.
“It’s good to see you too, Mr. Hammer,” she returns, a smile gracing her face for a second before she turns her glare at me again.
Shelly has always called my dad Mr. Hammer. He loves it and always laughs when he hears her soft voice call him that.
“Everythin’ okay with Sheridan and the baby?” I question Shelly, fear filling me for the first time since she walked through the door a few seconds ago.
“For now. From what her dad told me, she managed to eat a full meal and keep it down. Axel, do you know the damage you’re fucking doing to her? Sheridan never once lied to you about being on birth control. You know better than anyone in this room how close the two of us are and I know every detail of her life. She’s been on birth control since she was fourteen years old for help dealing with her cycle. There hasn’t ever been a day she’s missed a pill or lied about being on it. Sheridan didn’t realize her antibiotic would mess with the birth control the way it did. Not everyone knows that information. Do you evenremember today is her birthday?” Shelly questions me, anger lacing her voice as she clenches her hands into fists at her side.
Fuck! I didn’t remember it was Sheridan’s birthday today. For the first time ever, I forgot. Though, I’m not sure what I would have done about it to begin with considering we’re not exactly talking right now. Usually I would have at least sent her favorite flowers to her and a box of her favorite chocolate or cupcakes. It’s a tradition I started in high school and haven’t ever missed a year. Until now.
“Dammit! No, I didn’t remember it was her birthday today. Aren’t you hangin’ out with her?” I ask, knowing Shelly never lets her spend the day alone.
“No, I’m not. I literally just got to town and know she’s had a busy day. Her dad filled me in on what happened to her and told me not to try to drag her out to celebrate,” she answers me, rage filling her eyes and I wonder what has her so pissed off. “Jess made her feel like shit today. Mr. Russell doesn’t know all the details, but Sheridan was crying and visibly upset. She refused to eat before meeting with the lawyer to get her inheritance signed over fully. Add in the fact that you haven’t talked to her since the night you fucked other than to call her a liar and demand whatever you did. For the first time ever, I truly have no clue what’s happened between the two of you. And I know it’s because Sheridan doesn’t want me to be more pissed off at you than I already am. So, now, she’s spending her birthday alone and the one person she’s loved her entire life isn’t talking to her.”
“Jess upset her? Where?” I question, jumping off my stool and getting closer to Shelly.
“She was at the diner. Sheridan was completely embarrassed and there was a cop there egging Jess on. Don’t know who it was. All I know is the last thing Sheridan needsright now is for you to be treating her like you are. She’s worried enough and carrying your baby. The stress and turmoil are the last things she needs to be dealing with, Axel. Fix this shit or stay the fuck out of her life. Stay out of your son’s life. Because at the end of the day, that little boy is going to be in the middle of whatever the two of you have going on. How do you think it’s gonna affect him if he sees you constantly treating his mom like shit? I suggest you pull your head out of your ass before she goes into labor or I’ll make sure you aren’t part of your son’s life, Axel. He’s completely innocent and you need to realize Sheridan isn’t like every other woman trying to trap you and use you for your money and status. She’s sweet, innocent, and truly special. Get over your shit or stop going to her appointments and everything else,” Shelly says, turning before I can say a word to her in response and leaving the clubhouse.
I remain standing in the same spot, surprise filling me as I realize she’s right.
“She’s not wrong, Axel,” my dad says as I finally take my seat again in a daze.
“I know she’s not. I’ve fucked this all up with Sheridan and I don’t know how to fuckin’ fix it. For the first time in my life, I’m at a complete loss when it comes to the only woman who will ever own my heart,” I state dejectedly, taking another longer pull of my beer.
