Page 13 of Magnetic Temptations

“That’s something I’m not sure I want to get used to, Hydro.” I feel the need to be honest here. “It goes against everything I stand for. It’s why I don’t think I’ll be a good fit as a brother.”

“What could we do to make that go away?” Hydro asks. The fact that he’s willing to help me figure out a way to feel easier says a lot about him as a man and a leader.

“I’m not sure there’s anything you could do,” I honestly answer.

“I think there is,” Ella professes. “What if we do what the other club did?”

“What did they do?” I ask, my interest piqued.

“They put a double wide at the back of the property and anything sexual always takes place there. That way, we’re not insinuating they can’t live the life they signed up for, but it’s not in your face.” Ella’s suggestion has some merit, but again, I feel like there are going to be some hard feelings toward that change.

“The men wouldn’t be happy about changing things up so I could fit in,” I say, sighing in frustration.

“Actually,” Hydro says, sitting up straighter. “I’ve been doing something like that. There’s too much drama happening in the clubhouse and most of it centers around the bunnies. I’d love to go to the kitchen for a cup of coffee without seeing one of my brothers receiving a blowjob.”

“If you’ve been thinking about doing that, why hasn’t it been brought up during church?” Ella asks her old man.

“Because I’ve been taking a mental poll about how the votes would swing. I’ve been approaching the brothers individually to get their take on it,” Hydro justifies.

“And what’s the consensus?” Mane asks, suddenly enraptured with what his answer will be.

“I’m thinking it’d pass. We aren’t the only ones growing tired of the shit. Some of the brothers are looking to settle down and find old ladies of their own,” Hydro tells us. “Which means eventually, there’ll be kids running around. While I’m all about education, not feeling it about having to explain to my own child why their Uncle Bruiser had someone sucking on him while he was trying to eat his Cheerios.”

He’s right about the ‘education’ portion of his statement. Health class is one thing but sex ed is on a spectrum all of its own.

Both Mane and Ella burst out laughing, while I chuckle at the visual Hydro’s just given all of us. “So, you think it might pass?” I ask, now hopeful that I can become part of the brotherhood after all.

“Yeah, I do,” Hydro replies. “I’ll bring it up at our next church. I’m sure you’ll know pretty quickly how the vote went, too, because the bunnies are always vocal about shit.”

“Maybe they need a reminder about their place in the club,” Ella states. “They’re getting room and board, as well as spending money to be available to the brothers. They’re also supposed to be keeping the common room and kitchen clean, but that’s not happening, Hydro. You know with us living there it’s my home too and I shouldn’t have to wash dishes just to be able to pour a damn cup of coffee. Something’s gotta give.”

“What if you hired a cleaning crew? They’d have to be vetted of course, but maybe it would show the bunnies what things should look like. I know y’all have prospects, but they normally run the bar, which is spotless by the way, clean y’all’s bikes, and do alcohol runs,” Mane adds.

“I’ll advise that we do a weekly check of their accommodations. There’s also something else that’s fixing to happen that I’m afraid you’re going to have an issue with Mason. I need to know how to get around that so you don’t run for the hills,” Hydro states, looking a tad uncomfortable.

“Shit,” Ella mumbles. “He’s gonna freak.”

“Just tell me,” I sigh. “If we could come up with a way around the bunnies being active in the clubhouse, surely we could figure out something about whatever it is that has you both freaking out.”

“Initiation,” Mane squeaks out. “Damn, I forgot about that. It makes my skin crawl so I know it’ll do the same with Mason.”

“Initiation? Why does that word give me the chills?” I ask, all types of scenarios running through my mind then, as if a switch was turned on, I understand what they’re implying. “Like hookers!”

“Kinda,” Ella says, waving her hand from side to side. “They try out for the part, and if they get so many votes, they’re in.”

“Try out?” I sputter, appalled. “This isn’t a cheerleader trying to make the team. For fuck’s sake, who comes up with that sort of thing?”

“It’s been passed down since the beginning,” Mane explains, her face turning pale. “It’s disgusting.”

“It’s gross,” Ella adds.

“It’s tradition,” Hydro validates. “When I took on the role of president, there were some things that are in the bylaws that I couldn’t change, and that’s one of them.”

“Pops needs a swift kick in his ass for approving that when they made the bylaws,” Mane spits out. “What was he thinking? I’m sure Ma didn’t approve of that.”

“I bet there was a war in their house when she found that out. I bet Ma put Pops on the couch after she learned that,” Ella laughs.

“So, because it’s in the club bylaws it can’t be changed,” I muse out loud. “Ever? Like, I’m sure there are things that have evolved over the years, so they’re no longer done the way they always were, right? Why can’t bylaws be amended?”

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