Page 67 of Chubs

“Expand on that,” Vex insists.

“No helmet, no riding. Wear the proper gear. Don’t try to ride beyond my capabilities, and respect what they are. Be alert at all times of other people on the roads. They’re dangerous, unthoughtful, and unpredictable to anyone on a bike. Always leave distance between my bike and the car I’m following. Be extra vigilant at intersections. A careless rider becomes an organ donor,” Bella states in a serious tone.

“Come home safe. Do not become an organ donor,” Gunner emphasizes, and Bella nods in agreement.

“Never, for the love of God, ride a bike the way Tessie drove her Jeep,” Reeves adds emphatically.

“I promise I won’t,” Bella says with a grin.

“You ready?” Pooh asks her.

“Uh, did you cover—” Petey starts to say when Pooh holds up his hand, silencing him mid-sentence.

“I get you’re worried, but we’ve covered everything the last few days, Petey. It’s time,” Pooh states.

Pooh sits astride the bike and waits for Bella to climb on behind him. Both put on their helmets. Then Pooh fires up the bike. I step back, taking the kids with me when the men scramble to their own bikes. All except Petey, who remains standing near me. The group rides off, following the road that leads to the clubhouse.

“You’re not going?” I ask, surprised.

“She’s in good hands,” Petey answers in a quiet voice.

“You’re scared to death, aren’t you?” I joke while bumping his arm with my shoulder.

“Fuck yeah. Call me a sexist pig, but watching Axel, Craig, and Luke learn wasn’t half this terrifying. Maybe I’m just too old for this shit anymore,” Petey states before running both hands over his face.

“She’ll be fine, Petey. Pooh would cut off his own arm before he allowed anything to happen to her.”

“I know, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to keep her in a padded room.”

“What was the deal with that Katey lady from the hospital? Everyone rushed out, but nothing’s been said since,” I ask.

“Candy cornered her and waited for Gunner. He called Ava and asked what she wanted to do since it was her that Katey hurt,” Petey answers immediately.

“And?” I ask, but I’m half afraid of the answer.

“Ava came and spoke alone with Katey for a while. Candy wanted to disassemble the woman, but Ava wouldn’t let her. After they talked, Ava asked Gunner to let Katey leave. Said she didn’t need or want revenge. Said Katey’s life choices were revenge enough. Ava’s right, I guess. Ava’s happily married, owns her own successful business, and has a beautiful family. She’s got everything she always wanted and never thought she’d get. Katey’s got nothing, and that’s exactly what she’s earned.”

“Ava’s a better person than me because I think I’d have at least wanted to get a punch in or two,” I murmur.

“We think alike, little one,” Petey says with a grin.

“Can I ask one more thing?”

“Of course you can, Lucy.”

“Whatever happened to the lady who claimed to be Ava’s mother?”

I watch as Petey’s face darkens with anger, and his words have a lethal edge to them.

“Waiting to see if she’s smart enough to take my advice. Get the fuck gone and stay that way or suffer the consequences. Time will tell, but I doubt she’s going to listen. Trash always seems to rise to the surface, you know?”

“Yeah, it usually does. How’s Ava doing with all that?”

“By being Ava. She deals with what’s in front of her and doesn’t waste time worrying about things she can’t control.”

“I need to be more like her in that regard,” I mumble.

“None of us can control other people’s actions, honey. Pick your battles and ignore the rest of the noise. And remember, we’ve got you if you need it.”

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