Page 22 of Vex

“You did it. And I don’t have to, I want to. Big difference. Please remember that,” she replies just as quietly as she stands and walks out of the kitchen.

I drop my head into my hands knowing I’m fucked. Tessie wants this, and I don’t want to stand in her way. I’m hella proud of her. But one concern we didn’t discuss is Rooster. He’s not happy I’m working for the Devil’s Angels MC but has somewhat accepted it since he’s getting his money from me. I don’t see him being okay, in any way, Tessie will be too. Bridge to cross later, I guess.

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Tessie’s nearly bouncing in the seat as we pull into the club’s garage. I’d have loved to sit around and wallow in my misery today, but she called Trigger, and he said to come on over. So here we are with me about to meet and assess her possible coworkers and supervisors.

Walking in the parts store door, I see a large guy behind the counter while a younger, bald version of him leans against it. Both sets of blue eyes swing our way, and I watch while the older guy’s face breaks into a huge grin.

“Hey, Tessie. You got her here. Now it’s up to us to convince her, right?” he rumbles out.

“Yeah, Petey. Do your best,” Tessie grins back.

“Hi, Taja. I’m Petey Taylor and this ugly guy’s my son, Axel. Nice to meet you.”

“You’re the new bartender at Dreams, right?” Axel asks.

“Yeah, I am. Nice to meet you both,” I reply.

“Freddy’s been singing your praises. He claims life’s easier now that he has you and Suki behind the bar,” chuckles Petey.

“Freddy’s a great guy to work for,” I state. “He makes it easy.”

The door to the garage opens and in walks a couple more men. One is slightly older, shorter than Petey and Axel, but built solid. The other man’s the largest person I’ve ever seen up close before. Tall, dark and drop dead gorgeous doesn’t even begin to cover this man. Oddly enough, he has a parrot on his shoulder. Yes, a real live parrot.

“What up bitches?” the parrot screeches.

“Mac! What the fuck? Watch your fucking language! There’s women here! And who’re you calling bitches?” Axel shouts.

“You!” screams the bird.

Petey smacks Axel on the back of the head at the same time Tessie and I snort out a laugh. When we do this, the bird’s head swings our way and he lets out a long, low wolf whistle.

“Mac, behave! Axel, shut it! Taja’s going to think we’re all like you two nut jobs, and Tessie won’t get to learn from me.” This was hollered by the shorter, older guy before he calmly turns to me and holds out his hand.

I take it and instantly like this man. I like that he’s concerned about Tessie getting to learn from him. That he’s worried about our opinion of them. His face is honest, strong with kind eyes, and his handshake is firm. Mom once said that a weak man would have a weak handshake. I’ve always remembered that.

“You must be Trigger. Nice to meet you. I’m Taja.”

“No one else you could be. You two are the spittin’ image of each other,” Trigger states with a grin while releasing my hand. Tossing his hand toward the huge man, he says, “Gunner, Club President. The bird’s name is Mac. Obviously, you’ve already met Petey and Axel. If it helps with any concerns you may have, Axel doesn’t work here.”

Axel protests, Mac screams “Woop! Woop!” and the other guys chuckle at the last comment. Tessie giggles while I understand right away that this is a tight knit group. I’ve noticed the same with the members that come into Dreams. They tease, joke and harass each other, but their loyalty is a tangible thing.

“Who would be Tessie’s direct supervisor?” I ask Trigger bluntly.

“Petey’s the manager here, but Tessie would be working directly with me. I’ll oversee anything she does and work with her on what hours work best for you two. She’ll start out doing the grunt work. Cleaning around the garage and store front, oil changes, tires, things like that. Depending on what I’m working on, she’ll be assisting me. We do regular auto and body repair, along with custom jobs and bikes. Wide range of things she can learn,” Trigger responds.

“We’ll pay Tessie minimum wage to start out. When Trigger and Petey feel she’s earned more, she’ll get a raise. Axel’s wife, Bailey, is our club accountant and she’s always willing to help set up savings accounts, college funds, things like that. Bailey suggested that Tessie and you call her, and she’ll explain what she can do for you two financially,” Gunner tells us.

“I’d work for free just to get to learn things,” Tessie insists.

“You’re young, Tessie. You have a lot to learn, but Trigger says you have skill and the desire to learn. But the club will pay you a wage. We’d never expect you to work for free. Maybe somewhere down the road, you could work your way up to being a full-time employee here,” Gunner informs her.

“Thank you, both of you, for explaining things. Tessie will be turning sixteen very soon. She’s mature and very responsible for her age. But I’m sure you can understand my concerns with her working with all men. Men that we don’t really know. Her safety’s my only real concern at this point, I guess,” I tell the group while looking each guy in the eye.

“Smart and understandable, for sure. I have a daughter that’s slightly younger than Tessie and that would be my concern too, Taja,” states Petey.

“I’ll show you around the garage and shop. You can see where Tessie would be working and meet the rest of the guys here. Not much we can say to ease your mind, Taja, but I will say this. On my life, Tessie will be safe when she’s here. I know Petey will say the same thing. Not saying she won’t hear some colorful language, though,” Trigger says in a serious tone.

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