Page 42 of Rex

Looking at her, I see the impish smile she’s trying, and failing, to hide.

“I figured you were still mad at me over the whole clown-snake incident that ruined your dinner plans,” I answer with a small grin. “Thought it might be less dangerous to avoid you than have Loki rip my limbs off.”

Ava laughs loudly, and I hear Trudy’s snort then giggle from across the room. Glancing toward Trudy, I smile when I see her shoulders shaking in mirth.

“Told you he was the smart one,” Trudy says before giggling again.

“I was mad in the beginning. A ton of work and food got trashed that day, and you were the perfect target for my anger. After I calmed down, I realized that you weren’t the one to blame. Pigeon and Reeves, yes. You, no. They got what they had coming, and to be honest, I laughed my ass off that night. What I didn’t understand, though, is what did James do to piss you off too?” Ava asks with a head tilt that I’m sure Mac learned from her.

“James didn’t do anything. I didn’t know he’s as afraid of snakes as Reeves is, so I didn’t expect him to react the same way and to go charging through the clubhouse like a bull in a china shop. That’s a big man to have on the run in small spaces,” I reply, then laugh at the image of James that day.

“Snakes are the spawn of Satan, and I’m glad I have brought this much amusement to you people,” James states in a dry tone as he sets Livi’s casserole dish on a table with a thud. Turning on his heel, James marches out of the kitchen in a huff.

“What the fuck, Pooh? It’s on now, brother! I’m going to beat you on the day you become a dad!” Axel’s shout is easily heard from the main room as were the sounds of something escalating.

“Stand in the doorway, Rex! If you let one of those idiots into this room, I will turn Loki loose on you!” Ava shouts as she and Trudy start quickly moving dishes to a back table.

I bolt to the door, place my back against it, and brace. As the sounds in the main room get louder, shouts of encouragement and instructions, laughter, and cussing, I feel something push against the door a few times. I stand strong, protecting the food and myself from Ava’s anger and large dog. I ignore the pounding on the door and grin at Trudy. When things start to calm down, Ava gives me a nod. Taking a step away from thedoor, I turn to push it open when it comes flying at me. I throw my hands up, hoping to stop the door, but it hits me square in the face. My hands collide with it, but it was too late to save my nose.

Bending over, I try to breathe through the pain but can’t. My face hurts, my hands are stinging, and if that’s not enough, the door slams open again, this time hitting me on the top of the head. I drop to my ass and slowly topple over backwards. Staring at the ceiling, I realize it’s blurry as fuck. I blink rapidly, but things don’t become clearer.

“Oh my God! Rex! Are you okay?” I hear Ava shout at the same time I hear Tessie’s irate voice.

“Why the hell are you blocking the door, Rex? I was trying to escape the chaos out there and couldn’t get the door open! Thanks to you, I’m now wearing half a beer and a pound of peanuts!”

I try to focus on Tessie’s face directly above me, but her head appears to be floating in mid-air.

“Why are you lying down in here?” Tessie asks in a curious tone, anger now gone.

“You knocked him down with the door. Grab a towel, Trudy. He’s bleeding. Tessie, go find your sister and send her in here,” Ava orders as she kneels next to my head.

“Fine, I will, but I need to change my clothes too you know,” Tessie mutters before walking back through the door that then swings inward and cracks me in the knees.

“See what I mean?” screeches Mac from a nearby table. “Bitches!”

A few minutes later, I’m lying on my back in my bed and contemplating my life’s choices. Taja is rebandaging my hands, and I’m balancing a bag of frozen peas across my face when Aria enters the room. I can’t see her through the bag of peas, but I recognize her voice immediately. Fuck me, I can’t catch a break.

“So, is stopping doors with your face a common thing you do, Rex?” Aria asks in a solemn tone.

“Not my fault. Taja’s feral sister took me out because of Axel and… you know what? It doesn’t matter. It’s life with The Devil’s Angels and their females. Bad shit happens, and it happens often. I shouldn’t have followed Axel home. I should’ve stayed in jail where it was safe,” I reply in a muffled tone.

“Has your nose quit bleeding yet?” Taja asks in a soft voice, but I’m positive I hear a note of humor in it.

“Don’t know, woman. You’ve got my hands captive, and tampon-sized cotton balls shoved up my nose. Oh shit! Tell me it’s not actual tampons up there!” I shout while trying to sit up.

I listen to the sounds of muffled laughter while a hand on my forehead pushes me back down to lay flat again.

“If either of you are laughing at me, we’re going to have a problem. I was simply helping Ava and Trudy out, and then this crap happens, and none of that is funny! Let go of my hands! I’m fine. You can leave, and I’ll happily die alone in misery while everyone enjoys my pain and their dinner that I saved. Thank you very much, but go!” I state loudly.

I regret my outburst when I get a stabbing pain shooting through my brain. I feel the bed dip beside me and then the bag of peas being removed from my face. I start to open my eyes, but at the first sign of light, I slam them closed again. Light is bad. Very bad and very painful. Squinting, I crack open one eye enough to see that it’s Aria sitting next to me and now holding the peas. I wanted to see her today, but this was not what I had in mind.

“It’s not tampons. Your body has not been desecrated with those silly female things. It’s just cotton to stop the bleeding. They’re like nose tampons, I guess you could say,” Aria says in a soothing voice.

“Nose tampons? Really? Just calling it cotton wasn’t good enough?” I ask in a sarcastic voice.

Aria snorts out a laugh as she sets the peas on the nightstand. Pulling on gloves, she gently removes the cotton Taja had stuffed up my nose. Looking my face over carefully, Aria takes the washcloth Taja hands her. Dabbing carefully, she cleans my face free of blood. Waiting for Taja to rinse and return the cloth, she speaks.

“Taja has your hands rebandaged but was concerned about your face. I agree with her, and we think your nose is broken.”

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