Page 49 of Jack

“We go to the weekly meetings.” Pops tosses a hand toward the wooden doors. “We leave this stuff to the younger generation.”

“Women don’t go to Church?”

Kayla shakes her head.

“They can if they’re part of the problem.” Pop takes a sip of his beer.

I study the women in the room. The ones with children wear cuts with patches on them. The three around the pool tables don’t have cuts.

“But some women wear cuts. Are they not patched?” Look at me using biker language.

“Ole’ ladies and members’ kids wear them. It shows they belong to the club, and nobody will touch them. They aren’t patched members, though,” Kayla explains.

“You don’t wear a cut,” I point out.

“Don’t want one,” she mumbles.

Pops laughs. “That’s a lie.”

Kayla points to the mug in his hand. “And that’s your last beer tonight.”

There’s definitely a story between her and Rodeo. They don’t talk, but he follows her around. Since Rodeo was gone for twoyears, maybe she likes someone else, and his being back is a problem. My heart hurts for her. Hopefully, she figures things out soon. She’s not ready to face her problems yet. I get it. I’m not ready to face mine, either. Kayla fakes a smile as she sets three sodas and four small cartons of apple juice on a tray. One of the ole’ ladies carries the tray to her group by the Church doors.

A woman’s hand slaps down on the bar between Pops and me. Pops rolls his eyes. I jump, and Kayla’s back stiffens. She slowly turns around and glares. I look up at the blonde I seriously hate.

“Can I have a martini?” She taps the professionally red-manicured nails on the bar.

“Does this look like a cocktail bar to you?” Kayla snaps.

“What? A martini beyond your bartending capabilities?” The blonde huffs.

I slowly ease over to the next bar stool. Pops should do the same before these two come to blows over the bar. Pops doesn’t move. He and Granddad sit quietly and watch with interest.

“It is tonight. How about a wine cooler?” Kayla snatches aSeagram’s Strawberry Daiquirifrom the cooler and firmly sets it on the bar.

The blonde slides onto the stool I abandoned. “You’re an idiot.”

“And you’re a piece of trash.” Kayla spins around and storms off to the kitchen.

The blonde turns to me and grins slyly. “You must be the new girl.”

“New girl?” Only patched members know about Ariel’s Angels. Does this woman somehow know why I’m here?

“I heard we were getting a new girl. That must be you. Has Nana given you all the rules?” She flips her hand. “Don’t worry. The girls and I will explain everything.”

“Go away, bunny.” Pops demands.

She laughs and lays her hand on his shoulder. “Awe, Pops. You want some company?”

Pops slaps her hand away. “I don’t do crazy.” He points toward the pool tables. “Go back to the prospects where you belong. And watch how you speak to your future Queen.”

“What?” Bunny slaps a hand to her chest.

“Leave now before I have you escorted out the front gate.” Pops looks past her and smiles at me. “This is Lily. Jack’s girl. So show her some respect.”

Bunny spins so fast toward me that she almost falls off the stool. “Jack doesn’t have a girl.”

“He does now. So, as Pops said, show her some respect.” Kayla returns. Her temper is still fully intact.

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