I know a few of the old ladies who have been taken in the past have used therapy. But from the small amount I remember, no one was held for as long as Ruby. And while that might mean she needs therapy more than others, she doesn’t seem the type to ask for help of any kind.
“Breathe.”
I chuckle at my girl’s whisper and smirk as I hold the club door for her. “Same goes for you.”
As expected, the main room is only halfway full. Most of the club will be out back eating and enjoying the day in the sun.
“Law, good to see you.” General is the first to approach us. I appreciate that he makes a point to do so. He might not be an officer, but he’s been around long enough to gain the favor of every man here. He doesn’t need an officer’s patch to get respect from the group. “Diana, good to see you too.”
“You, too, Dr. Troo—oops, I mean General. It’s going to take me a minute to remember to call you that here.”
He greets her with a side hug, as I don’t let her move much farther away from me than a few inches. “If it helps, you can call me General there too. I answer to both and prefer my club name. Most of us do.”
It’s a reminder to her to keep my legal name off her lips. For now. One day things might change, and I can have her call me whatever she wants. But today, the first official club meet and greet, it’s best if she plays by the rules the club is used to. They might know we’re dating, but they don’t know how serious it is. To them, a legal name used by someone outside of family makes things permanent. I’m not opposed to that, but I’m taking things one step at a time. I’m not playing the field or planning to, but I don’t know how my girl feels about it, and I don’t want her to feel that pressure. Well, more pressure than living up to the ghost of my past wife.
“Let’s get you guys a drink.” General heads out back, and I nod at a few brothers along the way.
No one seems to do more than look at Diana, which is a good sign. Just looking, I can live with. Looks of disgust? Not okay. Looks of want or lust? I’ll just start breaking kneecaps if that’s the case.
As expected, the back is packed. Kids are running around between groups that are chattering and bickering like families usually do at these things. I catch nods from a few, but most haven’t noticed we’re here. That’s about to change, as the coolers are in the middle of the yard, and there’s only one way to get to them.
General leads, and we follow. It should appear casual, but with this group, I’m sure they’re seeing everything my girl is trying hard not to show. The way her hand squeezes mine in a death grip, how her knees tremble with each step. Still, she holds her head high and keeps eye contact with anyone brave enough to look at her. That should get her points with my boys more than anything.
Women coming into the club isn’t new. They’re here for a cheap thrill and a ride on something. Most aren’t even particular if it’s a bike or a biker; both get them vibrating in their own right. But a woman who can meet the eye of a brotherandan old lady? That’s a different breed. Because while our men often lead with their dicks, their women can be downright scary if they really want to be. Most are sweet as pie, as long as you don’t piss them off. And each one of the women here is loyal to Ruby. As far as I recall, only Mama Bear knew Special K, and that was before she became an old lady or even knew what a Hound was. Everyone else just knew the same stories I did. Ones told to them by Ruby, theclub, or I guess me. They only care about Ruby’s happiness, not her mother’s legacy. But since Ruby has a problem with her mom’s memory being forgotten, I don’t expect a warm welcome from any of the women.
“Miller good for you?” General asks, already handing me one but giving Diana a chance to change her mind.
“Anything but Bud” is her answer, and a few of the brothers near the cooler chuckle.
“Bud ain’t welcome here,” Bulldog says as he slips closer to us.
“A Budweiser rep once tried to convince Bulldog that his home brew tasted the same as theirs. Ever since then, he’s made the club put a ban on all Budweiser products at any club event,” I tell Diana.
“Watered-down beer is what they have. My shit tastes nothing like that,” he mutters before pulling out his own beer and walking off to join Lady, his old lady.
“But Miller is fine?” she asks with a smirk before she opens her beer.
I shrug. “He likes his own shit, and most of the brothers do, too, but we also offer a selection to keep the peace with anyone wanting something different.”
Bulldog might have a thriving beer business that’s now selling internationally, but it’s still just a job. His heart isn’t in it like it is with his daughter and old lady. He’s got no hard feelings if someone picks another beer over his, as long as it’s not Bud. That means you’re dead to him.
Diana leans forward and puts the Miller back, then pulls one of Bulldog’s out. I raise an eyebrow at her actions, but I’m not going to deny that I like that she picked it.
“Flies with honey and all that,” she says before twisting off the top and taking a generous sip.
I scan the area and note that Bulldog is watching us. Well, more my girl. His eyes slip to mine, and he gives me a nod. I know I’ve got the VP in my corner. Diana just passed the first test, though I’m sure there will be many more by the night’s end.
“Diana?” Casper pulls our attention as he comes up behind us. She greets him with a warmer smile and shakes his hand, dropping mine to do so.
“Hello, nice to see you again.” She drops his hand, and I feel a sense of relief when she grips mine again. It’s a small thing, but I know Casper saw it.
No doubt half the damn club did. Everyone has eyes on the president most of the time. Easier to protect the man if you know where he is. Now that he’s over here with us, everyone is looking. Though they’re doing a pretty good job of pretending they aren’t. If we’re lucky, Diana won’t realize she’s the animal in the zoo cage being watched by a school field trip.
“You too. Have you met my old lady? This is Billy.”
“Nice to meet you,” Diana says. “I think I saw you once or twice at the hospital.”
“Probably,” Billy says with an easy smile, giving away nothing else for why she might have been there or not. I might not remember everything, but I know that the Crazy Eights are connected to Billy and her sister, Jake.
