Page 13 of Rex

Entering the kitchen, I again avoid Rex’s eyes and take a seat at the bar next to my brother. Ignoring both of them, I grab a setof chopsticks and select a takeout container. Opening it, I get the first bite almost to my mouth when they start laughing loudly.

“Mention anything you saw here tonight, and I will stab you in the eye with my chopsticks,” I say in a flat tone before placing the food in my mouth.

“I see the shower helped improve your mood,” Drew states dryly.

“Fuck you. Fuck you. And, oh yeah. Fuck you,” I respond while continuing to eat. “Why are you both here anyway?”

“I asked Rex a few days ago to come and look over your security system. It’s a standard one that comes with a lot of new condos, but it can be improved upon. Thought I’d feed him for doing it,” Drew answers between bites of food.

“Well, it obviously needs to be improved because I didn’t see Rex on the doorbell camera. It only showed your ugly face,” I say, then elbow my brother in the ribs.

“I was still getting equipment out of the van,” Rex explains, and I can feel his eyes on me.

When my doorbell rings again, I drop my chopsticks and walk to the door. Walking is on the painful side, with important parts of me raw from being accidentally waxed. I move with caution, but I’m hoping it’s not noticeable.

Opening the door, I inwardly groan. Stepping aside, I wave Reeves through the door. He grins and makes his way toward the sound of the other men’s voices. I follow at a slower pace, and take my seat again, carefully, when I get to the bar.

“Food! Fucking awesome. I’m starving,” Reeves states before helping himself.

I reach over to the pack of beer sitting on the bar, pull one out, and hand it to him. He winks before taking it, twisting the cap off and downing a third of it in one long swallow. When he lowers his beer, he continues looking at me. Confusion crosses his face. I start to get nervous as to why he’s staring at me when he speaks.

“Did you take a bath with me the other night?”

The room goes dead silent, and all movement stops. Drew goes deathly still beside me.

“No! What the hell, Reeves? No, I didn’t take a bath with you!” I nearly shriek and then hastily turn to my brother. “That’s a no! A big, fat no! Your friend has a drinking problem. Maybe he’s unaware of it, but he does. He needs an intervention.”

Drew hesitates for a moment while looking me in the eyes. He then aims his gaze at Reeves.

“Aria wouldn’t lie to me, so now I have to wonder why you’d think she was in a tub with you. Are you having dreams about my little sister that may make me turn violent, Brother Reeves?”

“No, I don’t think so. I was really fucking drunk, so I may not be remembering anything right,” Reeves answers with a shrug. “Hell, parts of my brain even thought it was Pigeon in the tub, but that would be too disgusting to even think about.”

“You know he can’t handle his booze, Chubs. He’s a lightweight. Probably passed out drunk and was hoping someone would share a tub with him,” Rex says with a strained laugh. “Come on, Reeves. Let’s get this system checked over and improved before your muddled brain gets you hurt.”

“Yeah, alright, brother. Sorry, Aria. Didn’t mean to cause a problem,” Reeves states before following Rex out of the room.

“Aria, if—” my brother starts to say, but I cut him off this time.

“No, Drew. I don’t know where his brain came up with that idea, but the closest to Reeves that I got was a few dances Saturday night. You were there for them, in fact. We should look into rehabs for him,” I say while feeling a little guilty for making it sound like Reeves really did have a drinking problem.

“Okay, sister. I believe you. It’s just kind of an unspoken rule in the club about dating other guy’s family members. It can be done, but it should be discussed between the two guys first. It’s just a matter of respect, I guess. Like Horse and Tessie. Horse will not ask her for a date or do anything with her until he speaks with Vex. Vex gives his permission, then Horse is free to move forward with Tessie. It’s kind of archaic, but it’s our way.”

“I get it, but what would happen if Horse didn’t and chose to make his moves anyway?” I ask.

“Most likely would end up with Horse getting a beat down by Vex and/or other members that didn’t agree with Horse doing that. Even though it’s an unspoken rule, it’s one we all honor,” Drew explains and then turns back to his food.

I nod as if I understand, even though I really don’t. I mean, in a way, I do, but I’m still not fluent in all things biker. I know the mafia way of things and not so much the biker way of things. I resisted the mafia’s way of doing things, especially when it came to the women. I’m learning, and I’m trying not to be judgmental because everyone in the club seems to be really nice. The women have a choice about who they are with, and that’s not always thecase in the mafia. Marriages were often about alliances and duty. I just have a lot to learn yet, so I need to keep an open mind.

Thinking over what Drew said, I realize that could be Rex’s fate. He could end up taking a beating over what we did, and that almost makes my dinner make a reappearance. No way do I want or think he needs one to make amends for both of our actions. Would my brother really ask for that? I can’t imagine the guy I grew up with would think that’s an appropriate response for two consenting adults spending the night together. Maybe my sweet, lovable brother Drew really has changed since joining the club. All I know for certain is that nobody can find out what happened between Rex and myself.

“Several things need to be upgraded, Chubs. The basic system can be beaten in less than a minute. Do you want me to make the same changes here that I did at your mom’s place?” Rex asks as he and Reeves walk back into the room.

“Yes, definitely. When will it be completed?” my brother asks.

“Hello. Remember me? Owner of said property,” I interject.

“You want the changes that Rex will make, Aria. You’ll be safer here, and I won’t worry so much,” Drew says in a reasonable tone.

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