Page 10 of Brew
If I were gonna nickname her, I’d call her Sparky. She’s like a little bird who flits around from one place to the other, lively and energetic. Sunshine.
And I’m fucking staring again.
“Well, I don’t know about dignity, but if men continue to treat women like they’re just objects, then that’s all some of them will amount to. They won’t have any self worth other than pleasing a man. I’m sure they’re not all bimbos deep down,” she goes on.
“With the exception of Cupcake,” Haze interrupts. “She really hasn’t any redeeming qualities, but those implants?—”
“I think that’s just proving my point,” Erica interrupts. “Maybe she doesn’t know any better, but that’s still no reason to use women as sex objects.”
“What if they like sex?” Haze challenges. “They know what they’re there for, we don’tmakethem do anything. Are we to remain with our chastity belts held high just because Cupcake got a pep talk from you?”
“She didn’t get a pep talk,” Erica says. “I was being hypothetical. I’m sure none of you knows the meaning of the word abstaining.”
“Brew definitely doesn’t,” Sawyer chimes. I kick him again under the table, and he yelps.
“This got heavy quick,” I grumble. “It’s still early.”
Sawyer is just too smug for his own liking. “I think Erica has a point, there’s more to a woman than just how she looks.”
Trying to score brownie points is just pathetic. “Are we here to discuss Cupcake’s silicone assets or get on with the meetin’?” I sigh. “Time is wastin’ and I’ve got shit to do.”
“Have another cookie, Grumbles,” Haze tosses at me. “You clearly haven’t had enough coffee.”
Erica clears her throat, ruffling her papers as she glances down. “I cleared the inbox this morning; we have several new inquiries about security systems, one of them is a commercial business that sells high-quality fishing gear and sporting goods.” She looks up from her printout. “So I’ve replied back, letting them know we’ll call them this morning to discuss the options.”
“Sweet,” Sawyer says. “More and more businesses are turning to twenty-four-seven security to protect their assets, which is great for us. I’ll take a look at what might suit the setup and arrange a trip out to the shop. Got Wheels helpin’ out, can bring him along.”
Wheels is one of the prospects in the MC. They help out where they’re needed, and usually it’s the shittiest of jobs imaginable. None of them complains, because if they do, their asses will hit the pavement quicker than they can blink. Stella was promoted quickly because she not only got out of a hostile situation, she shot a man in self defence, and apprehended another. She’s small but mighty; even I had to eat my words about the first female prospect in the MC.
“Perfect. The rest are general inquiries about what systems we offer, so I’ve directed them to the website and sent them a current price list and catalog so they can have a look at theoptions,” she goes on. “I’ll follow it up with a call in a couple of days.”
I swear, this place wouldn’t run without her. What did we ever do before?
She was helping out at the school for a few months, but we paid better. Deanna, Cash’s ol’ lady, and some of the other women in the club suggested we needed someone to organize the office, and they weren’t wrong. None of us is very good with paperwork or handling the phone.
“All in a mornin’s work,” Haze muses, reaching for more cookies. “These are so good, by the way.”
“Thank you,” Erica says. “I’m happiest when I’m baking. Speaking of which, there is a fundraiser coming up at the City Hall, and we were asked if we’d be interested in securing the event. The mayor, along with several politicians, will be attending.”
The mayor is Stella’s old man, Cale Callaghan; the ex Detective who is also Cash’s son. Except our prez didn’t know about him being his son until recently.
“I’ll quote that up,” I say. “Could be a good way to drum up some new business.”
“I’ll RSVP and let them know you’ll give their accounts team a call,” Erica says.
She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. Hair that was longer on Friday, and while it isn’t super short, I wasn’t lying when I said I preferred it before. Why mess with perfection?
I nod. “Anyone else got anythin’ to add?”
Erica raises her hand. Fucking adorable. “Just a reminder that I have to leave a little earlier today because I’ve got the props for the school play in my van and they need them before three.”
Yes, Erica drives a minivan. Just another strangely adorable thing about her. We had it checked out mechanically, and itruns well. The little Suzuki Carry is powder blue and has a good engine, it’ll go forever, but I still think she needs to be driving something a little more sturdy and, well, up to date. It’s old, but she seems to like it.
We’re school pickup friendly, so that’s never an issue if she has to leave. Often, Olive will come here in the afternoons and do her homework until close of business. It’s no issue for us, and it helps Erica out. Olive is a good kid and never causes any ruckus, unlike us when we were her age.
“No problem,” Haze says. “Take all the time you need.”
“Thanks, I stayed up most of the night sewing sequins onto tutus,” she sighs.
