Page 47 of Quiet Chaos

She leaves and I’m about to stand, but he tells me to sit.

“I’m the President of this club, Sky. It’s a man’s club. The women here take care of their men. That means they stay quiet about club matters and mind their own business. They’re aware of how the club operates, and the Old Ladies abide by the rules.” My focus is on the floor.

“Look at me, Sky.” I do and he continues, “I’m not real strict on things, but I expect everyone to follow the basic rules. This is how motorcycle clubs work. I haven’t told you any of this, so I’m stating it now. Don’t you ever confront me in front of my brothers again. If you have something to say, you tell me when we’re alone. One thing I do demand is respect, especially from the woman I’m dating. Talking back in front of my brothers is unacceptable.”

He sits next to me. His fingers lift my chin until I’m looking at him and he softens his voice. “I’m not mad because you were being Sky, which I adore. I’m asking if you’ll please follow these rules?”

Cade isn’t mad anymore. At least he understands this is all new to me, and after he went to church this morning, I can only do my best to make him proud. What he’s asking is fair. This is the way things are at the club, and I want to take care of Cade.

“Yes, Cade. I’m sorry.”

He embraces me and starts kissing me all over my face, making me giggle. We walk out, eyes on us, and then everyone returns to what they were doing. From what Patsy says, the club comes first before anything else. All the members are like Cade’s brothers. I’ll have to brush up on the rules as not to embarrass him again.

22

“If she were a drink, she’d be a single barrel bourbon on ice. Smooth with a kick, a chill, & a burn all at the same time.” Brad Paisley

Cade - January 2020

Sky and I spend some alone time together between Christmas and New Year’s. She is more affectionate than before. I think what happened on Christmas bothers her, and she’s trying to make amends. This environment, the club, and rules, is all new to her. On New Year’s Eve at the club, Sky tries to blend in with the walls, which isn’t what I want her to do. I’d like her to be content and find her own way. Obviously, the rules and my reprimanding worry her enough to curl into herself. She’s a sensitive soul, and this is something I must remember. I hug her closer, kiss her more to show things are good between us.

Fortunately, the Old Ladies and girlfriends like Sky, and include her in the activities. With the children, she is on the ground, playing and laughing. The children love her. Her laughter and smile catch my attention, and I can’t help grinning along.

During the New Year’s Eve countdown, everyone counts to zero, yelling Happy New Year. I go straight to Sky, pick her up against the wall, gripping her ass and cupping her head. Our eyes meet briefly before I kiss her. The room, people, noise, seem to fade. Our breathing is the only reminder of what I want. Myimpatient mouth devours hers, and her moans encourage me to continue. Mouths move in rhythm. Tongues collide, and my hand tightens in her hair from arousal. Her arms wrap around my neck, leaving no room between us. My cock presses firm against my zipper, and I press her further into the wall.

My mouth releases hers. We’re panting, and when our breaths calm, notice a roomful of stares. Sky buries her face into my neck, and I hold her close, whispering how beautiful she is in her ear. Others return to what they were doing, except for a couple of stunned members. Handlebars and Rooster laugh when I give them the finger.

Since New Year’s, Sky and I kiss whenever the opportunity arises. Her soft lips often become greedy, and relieve me of stress, except for my ever-growing, intense, sexual desire for her. Sometimes I need to walk away to take care of business before I cross the line.

Work was especially tough today. One boiler is going, which means a major hit in cost. Production cannot slow, so I need to suck it up and get someone out here to replace it. I’m looking forward to kicking back with a bourbon, maybe a book, and Sky on my lap. Having her suppleness near me is perfect. I’m at home and at peace.

Armstrong greets me at the door. I toss my keys in the bowl and shuffle through the mail as I walk into the kitchen. I glance up to see Sky and an older woman at the table. As if I walked in on a secret conversation, they quiet, hugging their mugs. They both say hello and I return it, moving over to Sky for a kiss and then to the kitchen island, dropping the mail.

I rip open a letter when Sky walks over to me. “This is Julia. She stopped by…”

The heaviness of her name has my head rising in slow motion and I don’t hear anything else Sky says.

Julia cautiously walks to the other side of the island. She realizes I know who she is. Her hands flatten against the counter. I’m looking into the same cracked glass eyes as mine. The corners of Julia’s mouth are upturned, yet I don’t return the expression.

In a breezy voice, she says, “It’s nice to meet you, Cade. You’re more handsome than I imagined.”

Sky’s face scrunches. “You know him?”

“Yes. He’s—”

The molten anger erupts. “Get out!”

Julia swallows, and Sky gasps at my reaction.

“I wanted—”

“Get out of my house.”

Julia’s hand presses against her chest as her lips form a thin line. A second passes before she puts on her coat, retrieves her purse, and heads to the door, with Sky following. I hear Julia apologize to Sky for deceiving her and then they exchange goodbyes. To avoid Sky’s questions or judgment, I go into the bedroom and slam the door. One thing I’ve grown to love about Sky is she knows when to leave me alone or keep quiet.

Julia’s invasion has me feeling dirty. The hot shower burns my skin but does little to ease my anger. Charlie dies and now Seth and Julia want to play happy family? Fuck them! I had a happy family. Charlie and Christine were my world until one left for good and the other checked out. I didn’t hold it against my dad because you can’t fault the guy who’d lost his world. He knew little about raising a kid, and even if he did, mom handled most things. She was both of our crutches.

Sky hears me leave the bedroom and I make my way into the TV room. I’m not even hungry anymore. The TV sound blares, so I lower it and stretch out my legs with a bourbon in hand. My little Princess finds her way to my side, snuggling close, drawing gentle circles on my chest. By the time a show ends, I’ve quietedthe anger. Sky’s head is resting on my chest, and my hand plays in her hair.

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