Page 10

“Yeah, Willa. It’s good with me.”

Willa

“Well, that was a rollercoaster of emotions,” Blanche says in her deadpan way.

I stare at Mad Dog’s back as he steps through the back door, headed back to Joy and Switch’s home.

“Soooo are we gonna talk about that or…”

“Or?” I ask Nat.

“Or we can plan Chewy’s baby shower?”

I welcome the change of subject. I mean, Mad Dog does funny things to my insides, but I am not in the right frame of mind to want more. Or even need more. So friends I can do. Especially seeing as the DRMC are now Joy’s family and it’s not like I won’t be seeing them around. The Ol Ladies are as mad as a box of cats, and I have to admit, I kinda like that.

“OK, pen and paper are poised!” Mira says, assuming what I’m guessing is her writing position.

“Well, there have to be gators. That’s non-negotiable,” Lovely begins.

“Even I know that and I’ve not been around her for long,” I add, relaxing into the conversation.

A hand lands on mine, and my eyes meet Joy’s. She gives me a wink and my hand a little squeeze and I can’t help but capture her hand before she pulls away, returning the gesture. She’s a sweet woman and I’m so damn proud to watch her thriving in her little home next door with her family.

“So far under Chewy’s likes we have listed -” Remy squints at Mira’s writing, “Gators, axes, chemicals, medieval weapons and/or devices, true crime and dildos. Anything we’ve missed?”

I stare at the women packed into my kitchen as they all wrack their brains. I mean, Chewy is definitely one of the most unusual people I’ve ever met, so I have no doubt that her baby shower will be less than run of the mill too.

“She told me, and I quote,” Pops begins. I’d actually forgotten he was even here. He was uncharacteristically quiet. Probably because he’s been busy making a dent in the plate of cookies. “No games, no balloons, no invitations with misty looking babies on the front, no baby shower at any ‘womanly’ venue in town and no gender revealing. Those were her exact words.”

“What’s a ‘womanly’ venue?” I ask the room.

We all look equally as stumped as each other until Pops sighs, drawing my attention. “Pretty much any place that fancy ladies like to hang out.” He blows out a breath, “My girl, she’s never really fit in, and definitely not in places like that. She loves the MC and her Girl Gang. That’s all she needs.”

My heart goes out to Chewy a little. I get it. I never really fit in either. As a kid we never really had a lot of money. Mom worked her ass off to keep a roof over our heads, especially when my father decided he’d rather stay with his wife than run away with my mom, his much younger secretary. Kids would tease me about my home haircuts and thrift store fashion and it got worse as I got older. It's no real wonder that when Diesel and his MC blew into town I fell for his pretty words. I thought I’d found a place with a group of misfits like myself. Turns out you can still feel lonely within a group of people.

“Willa?”

“Huh?” I’m snapped out of my thoughts, everyone’s eyes on me. “Sorry, I was away with the fairies for a minute there.”

“Interesting that, huh?” Mama Debs says, a smile playing on her lips.

“We were just saying,” Mira begins, eyes on her notes, “That the diner is Chewy’s second favorite hang out, so we could possibly do the baby shower there. What do you think?”

I point to my chest. What the hell? Why are they asking me what I think?

“Yes, you,” Mira rolls her eyes, her ever present smile on her face. “Do you think it’s a good idea?”

I look around at the expectant faces and my chest aches a little. They want my input. Mine. Shit. No matter how tough I look on the outside, this group seems to be blasting through my defenses. I need to shore these damned walls back up. Don’t want to get too attached.

“Um, well, I don’t know?” I say slowly. “Wait, what’s her number one favorite place?”

The women all share a look, and I get it. I’m not DRMC. Whatever it is, is club business, so I raise my hands, “Nope, that’s OK, club business, I get it.” I do get it, but that doesn’t stop the sting. Dammit. These people are really messing with my insides.

“No, it's not that, it's just, well, the Rev Room is stainless steel and where Chewy does her experiments. So…”

I smile, understanding dawning on me, “Ah, so great for Chewy, not so much for everyone else?”

“Bingo,” Ana says, finger gunning me.