Page 50 of Pooh

It doesn’t take Bailey long to make a few changes to my accounting system and I’m impressed. While she is at my desk doing her magic, I’m sitting on the couch in my office making the numerous phone calls I make each day to set up appointments and interviews for the women staying here.

While chatting with Bailey, it came up about Craig and the situation he’s in at the moment. She grabbed her phone, called Lucy, and we will all be having lunch together to explain it to Lucy too. She has huge contacts with her dad being the governor and her help may save us a lot of red tape.

Not long after Bailey called Lucy, I get a text from Chubs.

Chubs: I’m making a few wrecker calls today. Doing a few tows. Would the little guy like to ride along? I’ll take him for lunch too.

Me: That would be so cool for him! Let me ask but I’m sure he will love it.

After asking Craig, who whooped and hollered for a full two minutes in excitement, I let Chubs know and received a thumbs up emoji. A half hour later, I walked Craig out to the wrecker truck that Chubs was driving, and watched them leave, smiles on both their faces. Sitting between them was Gee. I’m pretty sure he was also smiling.

I’m a little surprised that Chubs didn’t try to talk to me about what happened last night at Trigger’s home but it’s a nice surprise. He was his usual smiling, adorable self and Craig was bouncing in excitement, so I’m grateful to Chubs for two things today.

We chose a restaurant with an outdoor patio and we’re enjoying the sun while we eat our lunch. Bailey’s phone has been pinging constantly. She groans when she sees the incoming texts but there are a few soft smiles also. Axel is doing his best to fix things and I know it won’t be long before she caves. I hope she does because they’re so cute together and Axel didn’t have any control over who was invited to eat. That’s on Trigger.

“Craig was so excited today to go with Chubs. Chubs is so nice to take Craig with him on calls. The little guy needs time with males because he’s surrounded by all females every day,” I tell Lucy.

“Chubs was just as excited. He loves kids and they gravitate to him. The boys will have a good day,” she replies, smiling.

Just as I’m taking a bite of my sandwich, my phone pings from where it’s laying on the table next to my plate. I glance at it and see a text from Pooh.

BILF: Bailey didn’t see what she thinks she saw. Let me explain, please.

“Who’s BILF?” questions Bailey.

“It’s Pooh. My stupid idea of being funny when I changed his contact to BILF. Biker I’d Like to Fuck. I know it was childish but it was funny at the time. Now, not so much,” I explain, embarrassed to death.

Bailey starts laughing with Lucy and Tammy joining in. Not sure if they’re laughing at my attempt at a joke or my embarrassment though. I swipe up my phone and change his contact name back to Pooh.

“Are you going to answer him?” asks Tammy.

“Maybe. Probably. I don’t know.”

“Maybe I didn’t see what I thought I saw, Pippa. I was working at the clubhouse and wasn’t feeling well, so I went to Axel’s room to lie down when I saw Pooh and Peaches leaving his room. Looking back on it, he did seem pissed off. And knowing Pooh, I can’t see him doing something like that after pursuing you. He’s one of the best guys I know. I do, and have, trusted him with my life. I don’t want to sound like I’m preaching to you but if you want my opinion, I’d at least talk to him if I were you.”

I listen closely to Bailey because she knows Pooh better than any of us women sitting here. And I trust her opinion. I glance toward Lucy and see she is nodding her head in agreement with Bailey. I nod mine also. I’ll talk with him and at least give him the chance to explain. I would want that chance, if things were reversed, so it’s only fair to give him that same opportunity.

“I’ll call him later. What about you, Bailey? Are you and Axel going to be okay?”

“Yeah, we’ll be fine. I overreacted and got emotional. Axel isn’t to blame for the comments the sluts have been making. I am, because I didn’t do anything about it. I just let them get away with it and then simmered in silence. I need a tougher outer shell, I guess,” Bailey explains.

“Do they talk shit to you too, Lucy?” Tammy asks.

“No. They don’t speak to me at all and just pretend I don’t exist. Chubs has to order a pop for me because they completely ignore that I’m sitting at the bar with him if he doesn’t. Maybe it’s better to be ignored than called names. I don’t like them, but since Chubs hasn’t slept with any of them, it’s not as awkward for me.”

“Chubs has never slept with any of the club sluts?” I ask astonished.

“No. He said he never felt comfortable doing that with any of them. He said he always wonders why they would want to be considered a slut and wonders what kind of life brought them to thinking it was okay to be demeaned like that.”

“Wow! One more reason for me to love Chubs,” states Bailey emphatically.

“Pippa loves Chubs!” I giggle.

“Me too,” agrees Tammy.

The meal ends on a good note. Bailey finally calls Axel and she walks a few feet away to talk in private. After a few minutes, she returns and is smiling so I know all is well. Her and Lucy leave together and Lucy is dropping Bailey off at the gym where Axel is waiting anxiously. Lucy is going to talk to her dad, on mine and Tammy’s behalf, and see if he can cut through the red tape and ensure Craig can stay with us. That’s a huge relief and I hope we get word soon so I can assure Craig that he has a home with us. I know the little man is worried but, one way or another, he’s staying with me.

I’m back in my office when I get a text from Chubs letting me know he’s outside with Craig. I hurry to the backdoor and throw it open. I walk to the tow truck and see Craig sound asleep in a child seat. Gee is sitting between Chubs and Craig and is strapped in with a seat belt. Gee is wearing a t-shirt with the club’s patch printed in white on it. Cute as hell! I get a quiet little snort when I smile at him.

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