Chapter 5
What I totally expected to be a fuck and dump with Ice actually turned out better than I thought. We've been fuck buddies for a while now. He said that he's grown tired of the sweetbutts and wanted someone more consistent. He's told me several times that this is not a relationship, but he calls me his "goto girl." I know it sounds slutty, but I'm hopeful. The sex is amazing and I keep praying that he will see that I'm the girl for him. I've been with the club for three years now. It becomes more and more a home for me every day. Well, until today.
Earlier, a woman in hysterics appeared at the gate, saying that she needed to see Caden. I have no idea who Caden is, but obviously Ice knows, because she's in his office right now crying. I bet this Caden guy is one of the members and got this girl knocked up, so now she's coming to Ice for help. But why would he help her? Does he know her? Maybe she's a cousin or some other relative.
Just then Rebel comes out into the common area and says, "Tiny and Honey, Ice wants to see you."
We walk into his office and I see the girl in question sitting in one of the chairs across from his desk. Her eyes are all puffy, but underneath her tears, she's absolutely stunning. I'm instantly jealous and I want to know who the fuck this woman is and how she knows Ice.
Ice says, "Emma, this is Tiny and Honey. Tiny will go back to your place with you to get your things. Just the necessities, please; we don't have room for your whole fucking bathroom." He pauses and adds, "Once you get back, Honey will get you set up in one of the rooms upstairs." He then looks at me and says, "The room next to mine will do."
I nod as my heart slowly begins to break. In the three years that I have been with the MC, nobody has ever used the room next to his. Why now?
As if my heart wasn't already breaking, Ice adds, "Boys, spread the word: Emma is off-limits!" I stand there, unable to move. I don't understand what's happening. Ice bellows, "Tiny, get moving." I jump and quickly scurry from the room.
A few minutes later, I see her and Tiny leave Ice's office and subsequently the clubhouse. Hawk walks up to the bar. "What's going on?" I ask.
"Haven't gotten all the details yet, but it looks like this Emma chick is gonna be a guest here for a while."
"Yeah, it does."
"What's the matter, Honey girl? Jealous?" he asks sarcastically.
The tone in his voice makes me feel uneasy and defensive. I say, "No, of course not. Just curious." I pause and then add, "By the way, who's Caden?"
He busts out laughing and suddenly I'm embarrassed because I feel like I should know. "It's Ice. His name is Caden Jackson."
"Oh. I didn't know." My heart sinks even further. I really don't know how much more of this I can take. Before I say anything else, I decide that I need to talk to Ice.
I wait a few minutes and then proceed to his office. His door is open so I just walk in and stand there waiting for him. His brow is furrowed and he looks agitated. I'm worried about him. After a few seconds, he looks up and sees me standing there. He looks annoyed.
"Ice, are you ok?" I ask timidly.I want to know who this Emma girl is. I want to know what her being here means for me. He always said that I could always call this place home, but now I'm not so sure. I feel threatened and I don't like it.All of these questions fill my head, but I'm too afraid to ask any of them.
He smiles and says, "Yeah, I'm ok. This business with Emma just has me on edge, that's all." I want more, I need to know more, but he's not volunteering anything. Then he says, "When Emma gets back, I'm counting on you to make her feel welcome. She isn't familiar with our lifestyle and has many misconceptions about us. You need to help her understand. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Ice, I understand," I reply and inside the knife that stabbed me when she got here has now turned inside my chest, its ragged edges shredding what's left of my heart.Ask him!my subconscious screams.
But I can't. Instead, I ask, "Just so I am clear, you want me to set Emma up in the room next to yours?"
He looks annoyed again and I'm afraid that I have just overstepped my boundaries. "Yes, you are correct." And then he basically dismisses me, saying, "If you would go now and get things ready, I would appreciate it."
I leave his office as he asked and it takes everything in me to keep a brave face on. The tears want to fall, but I will not let them. They can wait until I am alone, in my room. The rest of the members start coming into the clubhouse and head straight for the chapel. Ice must have called a meeting.
When Emma and Tiny arrive back at the clubhouse, Tiny takes her on a tour while I watch her. Who is she to Ice? I can't believe how jealous I am right now and I don't even know her. I have no idea what she means to him, but it must be something special, because he's turning this fucking club upside-down for her.
When Tiny takes her up the back steps, I can't take anymore. I run from the common area and go straight to my room. The tears start busting through just as I get to my door. I throw myself on the bed and begin to cry uncontrollably.
After several hours go by, I decide that I need to pull myself together and go back downstairs. I need to get dinner ready. I make my way down and when I get to the bar I see Rebel and Tiny sitting at the bar. I go behind the bar and ask, "Refill?"
Rebel slides his glass forward and says, "Sure thing, Honey. Thanks." Just then Ice comes walking in. I didn't even know he’d left. He comes up to the bar and asks Tiny, "Emma all settled in?"
"Yes sir," he replies. "I even carried her bag in for her, so I assume she is upstairs unpacking her things."
"Good, thanks. There are a few bags in the Jeep, please bring them in and put them in my room." He then turns to me and says, "Pour one for me? I sure could use one."
Tiny gets up and heads out to get the bags that Ice mentioned while I pour Ice his drink. He looks over at Rebel with his shot in hand and says, "Drink is the feast of reason and the flow of the soul." He downs the shot while Rebel looks at him curiously.
"What?" Rebel asks. "Where do you come up with that shit? Drink being a feast and flowing into the soul … what the fuck does that mean?"
