Page 4 of Lexi, Property of Rhyder

The gavel is slammed down on the table announcing church is out. The brothers rise and head out to the main room, and I stay seated waiting for Prez to have another talking to me. I know I haven’t been around much lately, and that’s not like me, I’m one of the only single brothers in this clubhouse, and if I’m not in my room fucking some whore, then I’m out front at the bar having a drink or talking to other whores.

What can I say? I’m in my prime, and a man’s got to eat pussy.

Prez sits back in his chair with his arms folded and his eyes curious. “You gonna tell me what’s up with you lately, brother?”

I sit back in my chair looking everywhere but at him.

“I know something’s going on… I mean, fuck, Brittany’s been in here every day this week looking for you. I thought you two had something going on?”

My eyebrows pull together like this is news to me. “Somethin’ goin’ on? She’s a dancer at Black Panthers, the only thing we have goin’ on is fuckin’. Nothin’ more.”

Prez smiles. “Yeah, well, thought she was different. She’s the only one I seen hangin’ around you. No other girl.”

Thinking for a moment, I run both hands down my face. He’s right, I’ve only been with Brittany over the last few months. She gives good head, but she’s not the woman I want right now. “Prez, believe me, Brittany’s an easy lay. That’s it. This man ain’t ever gonna commit to one girl.”

Prez laughs so loud it echoes around the room.

I smile. “What’s so funny? Have you seen this face?” I ask, pointing to myself. “This body?” I continue, flexing my arms and showing off my biceps. “Come on… women should all have their share, don’t you think? It’s a waste to only give it up to one girl.”

Prez laughs again. “Oh, Rhyder… I can’t wait till the time comes when you’re ready to settle down. I’m gonna remind you of those words.”

“There’s gonna be no need to remind me. Now can we stop talkin’ about settlin’ down, man, you’re makin’ me feel all dizzy and shit.”

Smirking, Prez then turns serious. “Tell me about this Lexi? Is she another one of your admirers?”

I scratch the stubble on my jaw, wondering how much I should tell him. It’s not as if I don’t trust my prez or the club, it’s just if I talk about it, it means it’s real, and I’m not sure I want to talk about Lexi just yet. I want to keep her to myself.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Prez gets up and walks toward me, then leans against the table. “I know that look, brother.”

I frown. “What look?”

“You like this one, don’t you?”

I release a breath and admit, running my fingers over the grain of the table. “Yeah, I do. Not sure what these feelings are,” I reply in all seriousness.

“Brother, you’re gone! Welcome to the fucked-up world of being in love.”

I push off my seat, it tips slightly with the force and stand facing him. “Whoa, whoa, no one said anythin’ about love. I like her, all right. There’s somethin’ about her. She’s different, and—”

“And what?” Prez asks.

“And… she’s… I don’t know,” I say looking down at my boots that need a damn good cleaning. She’s not mine to have.” I spit the words out like acid. “She’s different, man.” I place my hands into my front pockets. “She’s rich and shit. Lives the good life with all the trimmings,” I explain, raising my hand.

“And?”

“What do you mean… and? I’m a biker, Prez. I’m not good enough for a chick who lives on the other side of town. Has some driver who drives her around. Has a surgeon for a father, and a house that’s ten times the size of this clubhouse. Nah…” I say, feeling defeated, “… she doesn’t belong in our world.”

I go to sit, but before I do, he stops me. “You gotta be fuckin’ kidding me. I know you didn’t know Jasmine before I met her, or Luisa before Hawke married her, and oh… and what about Charity, Trigger’s wife, don’t you think we all felt that they didn’t belong in our world?” he asks as his eyes narrow in on mine. “Yeah, that’s right,” he says, taking a step forward. “Jasmine ran a fuckin’ florist business and was the girl-next-door type, brother. And you know what I did when she didn’t want in on our life?”

I raise my brows, a little intrigued. “Nah, what?”

“I didn’t give her a choice. I wanted her, and I wasn’t gonna take no for an answer. Even if she did run away, I always dragged her back.”

I laugh. Fuck! I’d heard stories about Jasmine and Quill before they got married, and all the shit they went through to be together. They’ve been through hell and back, but from the looks of how happy they are, it’s all worth it. They havethatlove story—the love story you only see in movies. Then Hawke followed and found his woman. Fuck, even Trigger and Blaze have their happily ever after.

Could I really have that with someone like Lexi?

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