Page 22 of Ginger

“We’ll need to hire an electrician to change the bathroom over to a small kitchen,” Reno said. “For the most part, Bronx and I can do the work, but we’ll need to have it inspected and file papers with the town. Better to use a company who can handle everything from start to finish.”

“I’ll approve it as long you give us at least three days' notice before they come to the clubhouse,” Vegas said. “Anything else?”

We all shared a look but didn’t said anything. Vegas dismissed Church, and Reno and I immediately went to find Ginger. The girls were hanging out in their room laughing over a movie. I peeked inside and didn’t see our woman.

“She went upstairs,” KiKi said.

“We didn’t think you’d want us in your room, or be happy if she were to come in here with us,” Sasha said.

They weren’t entirely wrong, but it did bring up another issue. How was Ginger supposed to hang out with other women? The only ones here were the whores. And no, I didn’t like the thought of them piling into our apartment. Reno placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze.

“What if only one of you hung out with Ginger? I mean, one at a time. I don’t think we’d have an issue with someone going up there to hangout with her when she’s alone,” Reno said.

I nodded. “Sounds like a good plan. We’ll have to talk to the club about a common area other than the main room down here. Somewhere all of you can relax.”

Melody’s eyes lit up. “That would be awesome!”

I didn’t think Vegas would be too happy if we brought it up right now, but sometime soon. The club was changing, whether he liked it or not. We had an official old lady now, and I had a feeling there would be more in the months and years to come.

Reno pulled me from the doorway and we went upstairs. Ginger smiled widely when she saw us, and it felt like I’d come home. How the hell did such a tiny woman have a big impact on someone like me?

“Honey, we’re home.” Reno grinned and went to sit beside her. I shut and locked the door before joining them. Everything else could wait. Right now, it was time to bond with my family.

Chapter Ten

Ginger

One Week Later

I didn’t know how they’d managed it, but the two bedrooms once belonging to Bronx and Reno were now an apartment. They’d put French doors between the bedroom and living room, and I’d hung sheer curtains over them. We could open the doors to make the space seem larger, or shut them if we wanted to make it more cozy. The club had completed the kitchen yesterday. Memphis, Bronx, and Reno had all worked on it. While we didn’t have full-size appliances, we did have an RV sized fridge, stove, and oven, with minimum cabinet and counter space, but at least it was ours.

Both men were in Church again, and had mentioned having a beer with the club afterwards. So I’d stretched out on the loveseat and been devouring books. They’d installed a small bookshelf for me, and after I’d given them a list of authors and titles I liked, Bronx had gone to the bookstore and come back with two bags of books. Reno also ordered an e-reader for me, then he’d let me load forty books to it. Sadly, I’d already gone through nearly half the ones they’d bought me.

The girls were giving me space. Even after our talk, I could tell they didn’t feel comfortable around me now. They had drawn a line between us. They were still serving the club, while I had two men claim me. I didn’t understand why it made me better than them. I’d been in their shoes not long ago. What difference did it make? Sure, the guys ordered a property cut for me, and I loved it. But why did it make me more special than the others?

It bothered me. I’d barely fit in to begin with. Now it felt like I didn’t have friends again. It made me wonder if I could play matchmaker and get one of the other men in the club to claim someone. Except I didn’t think they’d go for it. If they felt anything for those women, wouldn’t they have done something by now?

A knock sounded at the door, and I went to answer it. KiKi stood on the other side, seeming more tense than usual. I stepped back and let her in. She hadn’t been by in a few days, and I’d figured she’d sided with the others.

“What’s wrong, KiKi?” I asked.

“I need your help.”

I motioned for her to sit. Before I joined her, I got two sodas from the fridge and handed her one. She popped the top and took several gulps. I noticed her hand shook. What the hell was going on? I’d never seen KiKi this rattled before.

“You’re worrying me,” I said.

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Well, if you tell me the problem, maybe I can help you find a solution.” I wanted to give her a hug, but wasn’t sure if she’d accept one. Instead, I waited to see what she’d say next. We sat in silence for several minutes before she took a shuddering breath.

“I fucked up.” She took another swallow of her drink. “I missed a few doses of my birth control. Even though the guys use condoms, I still ended up… pregnant.”

She nearly whispers the last word, and I could feel her fear and anguish. There was no way of knowing who the father might be. And I didn’t know if anyone in the club would be eager to claim the baby as theirs. For that matter, would they make her leave? I remembered KiKi didn’t have anywhere to go. She used this place as a safe haven, much like I had.

“Do you want to keep it?” I asked. I knew I’d give anything to have a baby with Bronx and Reno, but it didn’t mean KiKi would want one. Especially since she was still one of the club girls and not an old lady like me. Her situation was far from ideal right now.

“I do,” she said softly. “I didn’t think I could have kids. I know I’m not getting any younger, and I can’t be a club girl forever. But what am I going to do? I don’t have a way to provide for myself, much less a kid. And there’s no way Vegas or Houston will let me stay here. Not unless I’m useful.”