Page 40 of Loch
“Ready?” He mounted his bike and handed me a helmet. I made quick work of getting it on. Then I climbed on behind him, this time not leaving any space between us as I wrapped my arms around his waist. He patted my hand once then headed out of the driveway.
Butterflies swarmed in my stomach. I was going to the clubhouse and I was going with Nate. I wasn’t sure how I should act or what I should do. I was also thrown off a little by the fact we were going to the club for a little boy’s birthday. I hadn’t spent much time around kids, and therefore, wasn’t all that sure how to act around them. Normally, I would say try to watch my language and not do any heavy making out in the open. But then again, these were bikers and I doubted those rules were applied with such strictness. I didn’t have long to over think it. Before I knew it, we were driving through the clubs gate as a prospect I didn’t know waved us on. Nate parked his bike and I slid off and undid my helmet.
“Is it always like that?” I asked jutting my chin to the gate that was now closed. The level of security seemed unnecessary for such a small town.
“Just keepin’ everyone safe.” His look told me not to ask further. He took my hand and pulled me into him. I pushed up on my toes, meeting his lips in a tender kiss. He grabbed the gift then pulled me behind him to the front door.
It was still early in the day and the place seemed a bit quiet. I looked around, taking in the bar and lounge area. A few of the guys were hanging out on the couches arguing over something that was on the TV. When we walked by a few of them turned and offered a nod before going back to what they were doing.
I was nervous and for the life of me couldn’t figure out why. I knew I was safe. Hell, I knew most of the people I would see there tonight. So why did the change of scenery make it feel different? Was it the fact that I was here with Nate? Oh, crap, was I therewithNate. He brought me, but I wasn’t sure what exactly that meant. I shook my head and made myself stop the crazy train of thoughts. I had been good at going with the flow for most of my life, no need to change that now.
Nate never let go of my hand as he led me past the bar and into a giant kitchen area. There were a few people working on food prep. An older woman, with long blonde hair, stopped what she was doing as soon as she saw us. Her smile spread wide on her face as she made her way over to us.
“This must be Reagan,” her she said in an excited tone that somehow managed to calm me.
“Melody, this is Reagan,” Nate said, pulling me into his side. “Reagan, this is Stone’s old lady, Melody.”
He introduced me to the other two old ladies that were there and a tall girl named Jessica. I could tell she was a club girl, but I didn’t feel that she was a bitch like Tammy. I breathed a sigh of relief as they welcomed me. Nate kissed the side of my head and told me that he would be back. He said he had some stuff to take care of and it shouldn’t take long. I nodded understanding that I was to stay with the women. Mel pulled me into the kitchen area and into their whirlwind food preparation. I think at some point I made potato salad. I hoped it tasted alright.
“You’re Ethel’s granddaughter, right?” Jessica asked in a friendly tone.
I had a feeling I was going to like her; although it wasn’t lost on me that Nate had probably slept with her. And most likely more than a few times, too. I pushed the tinge of jealousy out of my head trying to tell myself that it was in the past. And I wasn’t even sure that Nate and I were even really a thing. I had no idea what we were, there hadn’t been any labels put on it.
“Yes,” I replied shortly, not knowing what else to say about it. I was sure everyone already knew who I was and that I had been in town for a while now.
I had no idea how to talk to them. I felt like there was a very thin line on things I should and shouldn’t ask. There were things that I had suspicions on and I also knew better to not say anything about those. But somehow it was like we all knew it deep down inside. A knowledge that almost linked us all together but for the club’s sake, we would pretend otherwise. I was about to ask them the usual bullshit questions you would ask normal people.
But right as I opened my mouth, Tammy and her minions came sauntering in, wearing next to nothing. At least Jessica had the decency to cover up knowing kids would be running around in the near future. I clenched my fist and tried my best not to let her get to me.
“Who the fuck invited this bitch?” Tammy said to one of the other girls loud enough so we could all hear.
I couldn’t even give two shits to try and remember all their names. It bothered me enough that I knew Tammy’s. My jaw ticked and I took a calming breath through my nose.
Melody was right beside me, I saw her look at me as a smirk played on her lips. She cocked an eye brow at me as if telling me I should say something. Looking up, I saw Jessica was standing behind us with her hip cocked out and hand resting on it. It wasn’t lost on me the hateful glare she was giving the group of club girls.
Fuck it, I thought. I wasn’t going to let these bitches push me around. I was done being afraid to step on toes. If Nate brought me here, then he wanted me there.
“Loch brought me.” I figured it was best to show Nate some respect and use it club name while I was there. This time it felt right as it slipped from my lips without the malicious tone I’d used before when I was pissed at him. Tammy’s jaw dropped open and I did a victory dance on the inside.
“Fuckin’ don’t mean nothing,” she snapped as she quickly recovered. “He’ll be beggin’ to get into my holes soon enough. You’re only a stupid phase.” I couldn’t believe she actually said that to me.
“Right,” I deadpanned. “Just as long as you don’t mind that he’s thinking about me while he’s fucking that worn out hole.” I heard Jessica and Melody chuckling beside me as Tammy’s face turned bright red with anger.
“You can go now, Tammy,” Melody said with authority. “The bathrooms need to be cleaned before the party starts. Looks like you all have something to do now.” She addressed the rest of Tammy’s clan. Tammy opened her mouth to say something, then thought better of it. She snapped her mouth closed, turned on her heel, and stomped off like an angry child.
“I think you’ll fit in just right,” Melody said pulling me into a side hug. We all laughed and it felt good. I was glad I didn’t back down.
We finished getting everything ready, then brought it out to the back yard. It was an odd little area, surrounded by the building on three sides. Melody explained to me that the two halls on either side of the building were where the guys had rooms. It was nice and also smart the way the back area seemed to be protected. I understood why they’d made it that way.
There were rows of picnic tables with bright colored tablecloths on them. I helped set up the plates and cups, making sure they wouldn’t blow away in the wind. Then I helped set up the food, filling two of the tables completely. Tank and Crow were over by a massive grill and I could smell the hamburgers and hot dogs cooking in the air. I turned around and all of a sudden it seemed like the area was full. Kids of all ages running around chasing each other with water guns. I did my best to stay out of the line of fire, but someone managed to squirt me on my back. I joined in on the laughter. Because what else could ya do? I was about to grab one of the loaded up water guns and start some trouble when Nate found me. He pulled me into his side before placing a kiss on my hair line. I couldn’t help but tuck myself into his side and smile at how perfect we fit together.
He grabbed two beers and handed one to me. We made our rounds talking to everyone, his arm around me the whole time. This was a little odd considering up until today we had pretty much tried to play things cool. I wondered what the sudden change was.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Loch
Watching Reagan interact with everyone did something to my insides. She belonged there. Any doubts that I had melted away as I watched her. Sure, she had met most of the guys but it was different being around them at the clubhouse. Even being there with the old ladies and the club girls was a huge thing to handle, and it seemed like she handled it well.
