Page 88 of Chubs

“You can tuck those feathers away, Miss Priscilla. I’ve owned Mac for many years, and you can’t intimidate me after that,” Ava says dismissively.

The door opens again, and in walks the two women I saw at the ranch. Taking a deep breath, I step forward and look them over carefully. Both are beautiful with dark brown wavy hair. Taller than me, like most everyone is, the older lady has curves, dark brown eyes, and a tentative smile. She doesn’t look old enough to be Chubs’ mother, but I can see the resemblance in the eyes.

The younger woman looks a few years older than me, much taller, and curvy in all the places men like them to be. Stunning, she has flawless skin, very long bordering on curly hair that gleams. Eyes a dark rich chocolate color, they assess me critically. Then, she smiles broadly, and it reminds me so much of Chubs I feel a stab of pain.

Walking forward, she holds her hand out and says, “You must be Lucy. I’m Aria. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“Hi. It’s nice to meet you too,” I murmur while shaking her hand.

“I’m Giana, and you’re even more beautiful than Adriano said you were,” the older woman says quietly before stepping forward and giving me a brief hug and a kiss on each cheek.

“Thank you. Would you like a cup of coffee or a water?” I ask politely while guiding them to a table.

“Yes, please. Coffee sounds great. Black, please, for both of us,” answers Aria.

“I got them,” Ava offers, and I realize I forgot to introduce everyone.

“Aria, Giana, that’s Bella, Axel, and Ava. Aria and Giana are Chubs’ sister and mother,” I say, correcting my omission.

“Chubs?” Aria asks, clearly confused and possibly a little angry.

“Who’s Adriano?” Bella questions, just as confused.

“Chubs is your brother’s road name. Adriano is Chubs’ real name,” Axel answers, clearing the confusion from Bella’s face but not the slight anger on Aria’s.

“You call him Chubs? That’s incredibly insulting. He’s always been an eater, but he’s never been chubby,” Aria says in defense of her brother.

“It’s not meant as an insult. When he came to the club, he was very thin, having been living on the streets. Road names are often given as a joke. He was thin, so someone tagged him as Chubs. Names stick, and that one did,” Axel explains patiently.

“He was thin? How thin? Living on the streets? Oh God,” Giana moans in horror.

“Not for long. Our club president at the time brought him home and shoveled food in his direction until he gained weight,” Axel hurries to explain.

“Do you know anything about his life after he left Chicago?” Ava asks as she sets cups in front of the three of us.

“Is that a pig?” Aria asks suddenly, pointing at a snoring Gee, cuddled up to a snoring fat-assed cat.

“Yes, that’s Gee. Magnum P.I.G. is his full name, and he’s very friendly. Duffy’s the chubby cat next to him. Avoid eye contact and steer clear, especially if you’re a bleeder,” Bella answers with a grin. “And that’s Priscilla. She’s a southern belle, so if you hear an accent, that’s why.”

“Oh, sorry. I got distracted by the pig. We know a little bit. Just what he’s had time to tell us before we left to come here, though,” Aria answers while still looking at Gee.

“Did you know about us, Lucy?” Giana asks.

“No. I knew a little bit about him as far as the name changes and WITSEC but little else. He never mentioned what family he had left, just that his dad was in prison. I don’t mean to be blunt, but why did you want to meet with me?” I ask flatly.

“Mostly just curious about the woman he loves,” Giana says in a near whisper and a searching look.

Keeping my face blank, I reply curtly, “Woman he loved, but lied to, deceived, and misled with promises of a future together. Meeting you and having learned recently that he has a brother too, I get why he wanted to keep you safe. You’re his family, and he obviously misses and loves you all very much. I’m not holding that against him.”

“Yet, you’re angry with him anyway,” Aria surmises correctly.

“Very. Instead of telling me what he needed to do, which I would have understood and supported, he decided to leave without a word,” I answer.

“He was trying to protect you,” Aria insists.

“I trusted him, and he destroyed that. I gave him my love, my complete trust, and he gave me lies in return. I’m sorry if that seems harsh to you, but I had no choice in how anything went down. I was just left to pick up the pieces alone and doubting myself. I wish you only the best for your future, and I’m glad you’re reunited with your son and brother. But I have nothing else to say on the subject of him. I’m done, and I’m out. Have a good day.”

Standing, I walk on steady legs out the door and to my car. Driving away, I fight back the tears threatening to fall. I make it to Lisa’s condo, into my room, and face down on the bed before I give in to them. The sobs wrack my body for a long time before they lessen. When I’ve cried all my tears, I get up and wash my face. It’s blotchy, and my eyes are swollen, but there’s a part of me that feels more settled than I have in a long time.

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