“I have a few stops, if that’s fine with you,” I say to the driver, and he nods, assuring me that is fine with him.
After I had my cryfest last night, I changed my clothes and found some cold pizza to eat. Then, I got on my phone and started job hunting. I submitted my online application, but I’m desperate enough to follow up in person. The sooner I get a job, the sooner I can get away from here.
The driver is patient as he takes me to the places I found online, waiting outside for me each time I go in and submit my application in person. Not once does he complain or act as though he has something better to do, and I’m grateful for that.
Unfortunately, the positions I applied for aren’t actually opening for a few more weeks, and some were already filled. I was promised a phone call when interviews begin, but that doesn’t solve my immediate dilemma.
“Any more places, Ms. Baker?”
“No, not today. Thank you.”
I walk back into the clubhouse with the weight of the world on my shoulders. Today did not go as planned. Who am I kidding? Yesterday did not go as planned. It’s hard to be optimistic when everything is going wrong.
“Jake said you left in an Uber,” Hunter says, leaning against the bar.
The pretty blonde he was talking to makes herself look busy wiping down the bar. There are a few men playing video games and a couple playing pool at the table in the corner. Like last night, there are no females aside from the bartender, but I get the feeling this isn’t the norm around here.
“I didn’t know Jake was keeping tabs on me,” I bite out.
“What were you doing?” he asks.
“Turning tricks downtown. Is twenty bucks for a blow job a good price? I want to make sure I’m competitive with the locals.”
Mentioning a blow job seems to get the attention of the other men in the room. I roll my eyes and start walking to my room with Hunter fast on my trail.
“Skylar, you really need to learn how things work around here.”
“Am I some type of prisoner? Am I not allowed to come and go as I please?” I ask.
“Of course you can. I just want to know where you’re going. We have enemies, and it isn’t always safe,” he answers.
“Sorry I’m breaking your rules, big brother. I have a life too, or at least I did. Speaking of the life I used to have, I want to go back to Brewton. Get my old job back. I can find a place to stay there.”
“No.”
“No? Hunter, it’s not up to you!” I argue. “I’d like to find some semblance of normalcy, and being here is not normal for me!”
“Things will get to normal soon,” he promises.
“I cannot sit around this place all day long, twiddling my thumbs. You came home and turned everything upside down! I haven’t even had time to mourn the loss of our dad!”
I told myself I wouldn’t cry, but being here and not finding a job has me a bit emotional. I quickly wipe away my tears, not fighting against Hunter as he hugs me.
“I’m sorry,” he apologizes. “I’m sorry for everything. Just give me a little bit longer.”
I want to rage at him. Scream at him for leaving and scream at him for making Jake leave too. Instead, I let his hug comfort me the way it used to when we were kids.
And I let him believe I’ll stay here with him when I have every intention of going back home.
I shower off the grime from the workday, scrubbing the dirt and sweat from my body. After Skylar left in the Uber, Dash, Munsey, and I met up with the rest of the crew on the job site. I’ve performed two jobs today, one legal and one illegal.
The shipment going out to California is on its way; all of the product available and packaged. We’ll meet our contact at a halfway point and make the drop. Carson, our VP, has a long drive, but he and Seth can take turns driving and get the shipment out there in one piece.
The man we ship to is former military, living completely off the grid, and he supplies a club there. We’ve been a third-party supplier for the Ravens MC for years. Good to know if I ever have to travel to California, I have some connections.
After the shipment was on the road, I went to my other job and hung sheetrock and installed windows. I reviewed invoices with Hunter for the construction work so that our payment for the shipment can be laundered properly.
Needless to say, it’s been a long-ass day.
I turn the shower off and step out, grabbing a towel from the rack. I get the luxury of having my own bathroom. Only higher-ranking members get that privilege. The prospect and the newly patched in members use the main bathroom in the hallway.
Once I towel off, I go into my room and grab some clothes. I dress in a pair of black jeans and a gray tee, slipping my cut on over it. I tug on a pair of socks and my boots and make my way out to the living area to see what everyone else is up to and to hopefully find some grub. Sometimes one of the ol’ ladies brings some food for us and stashes it in the fridge.
As usual, Dash and Munsey are playing video games. A few of the other guys are playing pool and having drinks at the bar. A few patch pussies are hanging out, eager to suck a dick or get fucked. By the weekend, this place will be flowing with alcohol and drugs and packed with barely dressed women all ready and willing to let us blow off some steam after a long week.
Drugs and pussy are always readily available to the Bastards. We have a reputation around the city for being a damn good construction crew, but also for being a group you don’t fuck with.
That doesn’t mean we don’t have people who aren’t willing to push our buttons. There are always other clubs who try and encroach on our territory, try and take a piece of our profit. We have to watch our backs and always be on the ready.
Mason does a damn good job of keeping our guys out on patrol to watch our lines and our shipments. We also keep good standings with our fellow chapters in the area. Huntsville is pretty close to us, so anytime Savage, their president, needs back up on a run, we’re there.
I walk up to the bar and take a seat beside Bishop. I whistle for Dash to come over and get me a drink. He and Munsey both stop with the video game and get behind the bar, knowing their duties as prospects are needed. They still get all the pussy they want too, but only sloppy seconds.
“You’re fucking slacking,” I tell Dash, and he quickly apologizes, handing me a beer from the fridge while Munsey starts restocking.
Dash makes quick work of getting Bishop a fresh one before helping Munsey. We tap bottles and take a sip.
“Tell me about Hunter’s sister,” Bishop says. “He’s got her in there with Mason.”
“Mason? Why in the hell would he have her meeting with Mason?”
Bishop looks over to me. “That’s what I’m asking. You grew up with them. Can she be trusted?”
“Hunter wouldn’t have brought her here if she couldn’t be,” I reply, annoyed that he would even question that.
“I’m just curious why he brought her here after all these years. Why now?”
“She lost her house,” I explain with a shrug. “She’s family and needed somewhere to go.”
Before we can carry on our conversation, Mason, Hunter, and Skylar walk out of the office. Mason has his hand on Skylar’s shoulder, and she’s smiling up at him. Never in my life have I been furious at my prez until now.