Page 46 of Tank

“Speaking of, how is the book coming along?” Remy says, falling into step beside me as we follow Nat and Ana power walking through the mall, beelining for the food court.

I let out a sigh, “Not as good as I was hoping. There have been … distractions?”

Remy chuckles, then links her arm with mine and it feels so nice and so accepting like for once in my life I’m part of the cool kids club and not one of two big girls who spend their time in the school library reading romance and daydreaming about their happily ever afters.

“Oh, distractions. Is that what we’re calling that big, blonde hunk of biker huh?”

I can feel myself blush and dip my head to hide it. “Well, yeah. I mean, I’m not sure what we’re doing or how serious this all is. I might be the distraction.”

We come to a stop at the table and I keep my gaze on the ugly formica.

“Mira, look at me,” Remy implores, “You are not a distraction. I’ve known Tank for a while now and not once have I ever seen him smile or laugh or open up the way he does around you.”

My head snaps up, “Really?” Remy nods and when I drag my gaze around the table everyone nods in agreement.

“If we’re being honest, I thought he might be a little special. You know, like a mute or a simpleton or something. He just never really did much other than loom,” Pops says, taking a bite out of yet another donut, this time accompanied by a cup of coffee.

“You did not!” Ana says, jabbing a finger Pops way.

“Well OK, maybe not that bad, but I did think there was something wrong with him. No man should be that quiet.”

“He talks more than Judge,” Lovely points out.

“He’s weird too,” Pops harrumphs and then winks at me when the rest of the group start protesting.

I suppress a smile. I’m onto him now.

“AnywayMira, you better get used to us because I have a feeling you’ll be joining us permanently,” Nat grins, plopping down into a seat and stealing a bite out of Pops’ unattended donut.

The women tease and gossip and chat but all I can think about is that maybe, just maybe Tyson won’t get sick of me and he’ll choose to keep me. I’ve never been chosen first for anything. Not as a kid, not as an adult. I did come close to being chosen second one time, when the girl picking the volleyball team saw my height and thought I was athletic, but that was soon snuffed out when one of the mean girls pointed out that I fell over for no reason on the way to the locker room. I would wish her ill but I don’t need to because she grew up to marry her boyfriend right out of high school who had a promising college football career until he dislocated his knee on an ice skating date with her. He was never the same after that. Had to become a carpet salesman and fat and bald. Actually, I think the fat and bald were probably something he wasn’t aiming for. Either way, she’s bumping uglies with him and I rubbed my vagina on Tyson’s face last night. Eeeeeek!

Pops sprays his coffee across the table, coughing and spluttering as the women all cackle. Aw dogs nuts I really need to sort out this inner monologue.

“Yeah girl, you really do,” Pops coughs.

I bury my face in my donut and try to ignore the chatter around me. Well, the chatter from most of the gang, but not Chewy, Blanche and Pops.

“Is that Whitney?” Ana says all of a sudden, pointing to someone on the other side of the food court.

“Oh my god, yes! That bitch! She’s the reason Tank and Nitro got taken in,” Remy says with such vehemence that it shocks me. She’s usually such a proper lady.

Chewy and Blanche share a look and then start to stand.

“Where are you two going?” Lovely asks, looking up from her muffin.

“We’re going to talk to her,” Chewy says at the same time Blanche answers “To beat her ass.”

“Maybe that too,” Chewy shrugs.

“Wait, do you want backup?” The Ol Ladies start putting down whatever was in their hands, apart from Nat who picks up the knife that came with her food.

“No. If this goes South we don’t want you hauled in away from your babies. You lot stay here. Any trouble happens call Marx, Blanche says. She’s so impressive. Like I know she isn’t that much older than me, but whoa, that whole Mom power thing gives her such a commanding edge. Like a lady Marx. Oh oh, maybe I can have a spin off of my MC series and it can have a lady Pres. I reach into my bra to take out my notebook and realize I never slipped it in there in my hurry to get dressed this morning.

A napkin comes sliding my way across the table, and I follow the hand pushing it toward me finding Lovely’s smiling face. She reaches into her bag and hands me a pen, then turns back to watch the Chewy and Blanche show.

“That doesn’t make sense! You’re pregnant, Blanche,” Ana points out.

“Yeah, but I have an ol man that isn’t going to go all caveman on me. He knows I’ve got this.”

---