Page 36 of Vex

“Thank you. You can come back at 2pm if you’d like. Petey, Trigger, Chubs and Vex will be here,” Tessie offers.

“I just might do that,” Horse answers, and with a wink at Tessie, he strolls out the door.

I hear Tessie’s squeal of delight as I follow Horse outside and down the steps. When we’re a short way from the house, he turns with a wicked grin. Before he can say whatever he’s thinking, I get there first.

“I will eliminate you and your boy parts from this earth if you even think of hitting on my sister. Slowly, painfully and I’ll smile the whole fucking time I’m doing it. My sixteen-year-old sister! Six-fucking-teen! Then, if there’s anything left of you, I’ll sit back enjoying the view while Suki finishes you off. And just because I’m a bit demented, I’ll ask Trigger, Petey, Chubs and Vex what they think I should do with your pedophile remains,” I warn, meaning every single word.

I watch his eyebrows slowly climb and his mouth slowly drop during my tirade.

“Sixteen? Are you sure?” he asks in shock.

“Yes, I’m sure,” I say rolling my eyes so hard I’m surprised they don’t land on the ground.

“Holy fuck. She looks older than that. Sorry, Taja, didn’t know. Thought she was close to my age,” he answers while shaking his head and walking toward the truck Toes is waiting in.

I’m somewhat appeased. Horse is a nice guy, and I can’t blame him since he didn’t know she was that young. She does look and act older and it’s fooled people before. Gah! The poor guy probably thinks I’m certifiably unbalanced now since I went all Terminator on him.I’m off to a great start todayI think as the truck backs out and leaves. Unbalanced or not, he’s been put on notice.

Stepping back inside, I cringe at Tessie’s glare. I admit I could’ve handled it better but no way I’m going to allow a grown ass man to check out my little sister.

“Cockblocker,” Tessie calmly states.

“Tessie! Oh my God!” I screech.

“I get why you did that. He’s too old for me. At least right now he is. But I’ve been raised right by good women, and I’m not likely to jump into bed with the first hot biker I see. I know my worth as a female and no man’s going to change that. It’s harmless to look and flirt though. I’m not like you. I have no intentions of dying a virgin. I’m going to live my life and enjoy the heck out of it. There will be no cobwebs for my lady bits. I’m sixteen now, and it’s okay if I do stupid things or make mistakes. I’ll learn from them and do better the next time. I love you Taja, but it’s time you start to live a little too. And you need to ease up and put some trust in me,” Tessie says with a small grin.

“Do we need to have a chat about birth control?” I ask grinning back at her.

“Only if you’re confused by the subject,” she responds saucily as she struts out of the room.

People have started showing up and Tessie’s smile has never been bigger. Her girl gang’s all here and true to their word, Petey, Trigger and Chubs have arrived and brought their women. Petey introduced me to his wife, Trudy, and I instantly liked her. She’s got a smile that just draws you to her. I can see the love and commitment between them, and I want that for myself someday. I met Bella and she’s so damn cute. She’s confident, outgoing and clearly loves her parents. I can see why Tessie likes her so much even with a few years between them in age. Bella’s fitting right in with Tessie’s friends, and I hope to see her around more after today.

Trigger’s lovely lady, Tammy, is very classy. They look like an odd couple on the surface. A biker through and through and a lady that looks like she just walked out of Vogue magazine. Tammy’s charming and appears right at home at a teenage girl’s backyard birthday party though. Both Tammy and Trudy are mingling and chatting up the other guests while their men stand together drinking beers.

The day only improves when Chubs and Lucy arrive. He waves me over to him to ask where to put the cake. I point to a patio table that’s on the deck, under the roof and out of the sun. Chubs grins and disappears back around the corner of the house.

Lucy’s cute and very tiny. I feel like a giant standing next to her. She’s quiet and shy but friendly. But she wins my loyalty when she spots Tessie and her face softens into a smile. She hugs Tessie and wishes her a happy birthday just as Chubs comes back around the corner carrying the cake that causes Tessie to gasp in joy.

Everyone walks over to get a better look at it, and I have to say I’m very impressed. It looks just like a toolbox with the lid open. A bright pink toolbox with Tessie’s name painted on it. Inside it are numerous tools, all made from chocolate fondant, gum paste and cake, and are true to size and shape. The whole thing looks so real I hate to cut into it. Tessie’s got her mouth open but no words are escaping. I’m so glad I thought to hit record on my phone. Her face is priceless.

“Oh God, Chubs! It’s freaking awesome! I love it,” Tessie whispers to him.

“Ava, our club president’s wife, owns Sweet Angel Treats Bakery and she made it. She also said to tell you happy birthday. I especially like the little touches she did like the grease rag hanging out of the drawer. And it’s a huge cake so there’s enough for everyone,” Chubs answers with his ever-present grin.

“Wow, Chubs, thank you! That’s the coolest cake ever,” I tell him with feeling.

“It matches my toolbox at the shop. Thank you, Chubs!” Tessie tells him before hugging the hell out of him.

“You have a toolbox like this at the shop?” I ask surprised.

“Yeah. Trigger and Petey got it for me and had Gary paint it pink and put my name on it. It’s my gift from them. It’s friggin’ awesome!” Tessie replies.

“Sweet Angel Treats Bakery’s where I buy those cookies from, Taja. The giant ones you’re always teasing me about. I’ll take you there. Wait until you see everything else she makes,” Suki adds.

Everyone eventually drifts away to get drinks or grab some chips, but I stand by the table looking at that cake. I’m missing Mom today, and I know Tessie is too, but it’s made it easier to see the people we’ve gained in our lives. Mom would be happy and proud to see her two girls are not only surviving but doing well.

Chapter 16

Vex

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