LOLA, AKA CLINGING TO THE OLD WAYS

With Val busy riding around with his brother and cousins, I find myself restless in Basin Rock. The old me could find satisfaction alone in my apartment. Now I feel lonely when Val isn’t around.

Earlier, Val suggested I hang out with the homestead girls. He’s also been asking for me to stay over at his parents’ house. That’s how it worked when West met Alexis. The family wrapped around the new couple.

Between my mom’s disinterest in the wedding and Poppy’s coolness toward me, I feel insecure. The homestead chicks were so much fun during dress shopping and our lunch afterward. I would love to learn more about them. Except I’m afraid to do any of it alone, and Clover is working at the moving company today.

That’s why I end up at my dad’s house, where he sits on the front porch swing. Duke’s clearly deep in thought. I’m able to sit down next to him before he even notices my arrival. He frowns at me as if I’ve snuck up on him.

“What’s wrong?” Duke asks.

“Nothing. Val’s busy, and I’m bored.”

“Will dropping by when your boy-toy isn’t around become a habit?”

“Probably.”

“Well, maybe not once you move to the homestead. All those young women can entertain you.”

“Because you don’t want to?”

Duke sighs deeply. “I’m a simple man, Lola. There are only so many dad jokes I can tell before you’ll get bored.”

Grinning at his teasing, I study him as he stares in the distance. Duke seems restless, but not like he did after he saw those Charleston assholes in our territory. Today, he has a quieter unease like a man on the brink of depression.

I consider how he’s been out a lot lately. Erin claims he’s behaving secretively.

“How’s your stripper girlfriend?” I ask, and Duke’s expression darkens.

“Why?”

“If she’s important to you, maybe you ought to invite her to the wedding.”

Duke exhales deeply. “I appreciate that, but it’s your day. She might steal the attention from you.”

“What, with her dope-ass stripper moves?” I tease and elbow him when he looks too pouty.

“It’ll just create drama,” Duke explains and pushes the swing a little faster. “Then, people won’t be focused on you and Val. Is that really what you want for your big day?”

“This marriage is good for you, too, right? I feel like with me going silly over Val, the club stuff has gotten dropped.”

Duke shrugs. “This alliance with Rawkfist might help the club long term despite Court acting disinterested in patching over the Blood-Red Suns. He clearly hates the idea of dealing with the Florida chapter. So maybe I can keep my club for now. When I’m old or dead, Val can decide whether to merge the Blood-Red Suns with his family’s club.”

“Don’t talk about dying. Just stick with the idea of you retiring to fish more.”

My dad gives me a tender smile. “I remember you and Clover out on the boat with me. We’d grill those big sausage links, and you two would struggle to open up wide enough to fit them in your mouths. Clover would nibble around the edges until she made it smaller. Meanwhile, you’d shove the whole damn thing in your mouth.”

I worry he’ll link that sausage memory to my slutty reputation. Val certainly would. He loves how I like sex as much as he does. My father is considerably less thrilled with my reputation.

“I used to watch you jam that thing in your mouth and wait for the moment when I needed to perform the Heimlich maneuver,” Duke says and chuckles. “There were a few times when your eyes would get huge like you thought you were about to die. Then, you’d adjust and keep chewing.”

“I feel like there’s an analogy in there somewhere.”

“Nothing so deep. I’ve just always known you were tough like me rather than silly like your mom. Maybe that’s why Val clicks with you. He lets you be a goofball in a way you never felt like doing on your own.”

My father’s words make me smile wide enough for my face to hurt. I worry so often how he won’t see Val’s worth. My dad loves his club guys. He pals around with them. They go fishing and bowling. He finds their dumb-shit hilarious, but he can’t rely on them. They’re like Uncle Dallas.

Val is complicated. He acts silly and arrogant, but he’s fiercely loyal to his family and way of life. If Duke understood how great Val was, the pressure could lessen on my dad’s shoulders.

“Well, if you and this stripper are still together by the holidays, you should bring her over for dinner.”

Remaining silent, Duke gets a faraway look. He actually seems smitten with this chick, which grosses me out a little. Dating a stripper is way different than falling for one.

“How old is she? Like she’s at least my age, right?”

“A few years older.”

“Oh, I thought maybe you’d say she was only stripping to put herself through college.”

Duke grins at my bullshit. “No, she’s finished with school.”

“Yet, she’s still dancing, huh?”

“She loves what she does.”

“And she’s good at it?”

“Good enough to get into my pants,” he taunts, making me laugh.

Studying my dad, I admit, “I’m curious about her.”

“Sure, but I suspect your questions come from a different place.”

“And what’s that?”

“All your life, you’ve heard about the family curse. Your grandma never found real love. I didn’t, either. Now, you’re all goofy gaga over Val and feel guilty, so you want me to be goofy gaga over the stripper. I’m sure you’ll try to set up your grandma soon, too.”

“Well, if the curse is broken, why shouldn’t you all find love?”

“What if the curse isn’t broken for us? What if it’s simply the sheer power of Val’s refusal to be denied that’s broken it for you?”

“No,” I mumble, immediately panicked over such an outcome. “Why can’t you choose to believe in my hopeful ideas?”

“Because it’s not fair to push us to want more than we might get.”

Studying Duke, I try to picture his stripper. I imagine her as blonde and well-endowed. She probably has a spray tan and wears fake lashes. I assume she speaks about her stripping like it’s an artform. I would so very much want to roll my eyes at her crap. However, if my dad likes her, I can be supportive.

Duke suddenly smiles. “You are so weird about Val. I’ve never seen you act in this silly way.”

“That’s good. People shouldn’t fall in love a bunch of times. That cheapens the experience.”

“True. But the key to staying so silly in love is to avoid having kids. Babies will cramp your love life.”

Snickering, I elbow him playfully. “You really don’t want to be a granddad.”

“No, not yet. My ego can’t handle it.”

“This is West Virginia. We know people who were grandparents in their early thirties.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better.”

Laughing, I rub my belly. “Val asked me to ditch my birth control and roll the dice with his baby-making fluids.”

“I’m sure he worded it just like that, too.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Duke laughs. “He’s so odd.”

“But in a good way, right?”

Duke flashes a grumpy look in my direction. “You’re acting overly sensitive about this shit, Lola. Let me rag on Val without my words causing you to pass a kidney stone, okay?”

“I can’t help it. Val’s heart is so open to me. It feels like he’s unprotected, and I need to wrap myself around him like armor.”

“You’re reading that wrong.”

“Probably, but I can’t help wanting to protect him.”

“Like you protected me when I had my panic attack and thought the world was ending?”

“Yeah, and that worked out great. Protecting my people is never wrong.”

Duke nods, seeming relaxed now. I ought to keep my mouth shut, but I can’t help myself.

“If you’re still with the stripper by Thanksgiving, promise you’ll invite her over.”

“She’ll want to have dinner with her family.”

“Is she close with them?”

“Yes,” Duke spits out.

“Why did you say it like that?”

“Her family won’t approve of me,” Duke says and offers a sly grin. “I’m not boyfriend material.”

“That’s horseshit. You’re a very valuable member of society. A businessman. A pillar of the fucking community.”

Duke chuckles at my outrage. “Settle your britches and stop worrying about my love life,” he says and then adds, “This thing with Val is a happy surprise. Focus on that and ignore the stuff that might upset you.”

My dad’s words turn me giddy. I instantly lean in to snuggle closer. “Love is great. It’s turning me into a matchmaker. When Val and I were riding around Tumbling Rock, I spotted a man who might interest Erin. Clover isn’t looking to date anyone, but I have a few ideas for Edith. I might even be able to find a nice lady without a judgmental family for you.”

Duke deflates immediately. “Please don’t set me up.”

“There are women in Tumbling Rock who’ve never enjoyed your qualities.”

“So you think.”

“No, I bet there are divorced teachers and never-married nurses. Real normal professional women.”

“Not strippers, basically.”

Sighing, I fess up, “I can’t have you married to a woman who is still stripping at forty because she loves the job.”

“She’ll be married and have a few kids by the time she’s forty.”

“But not with you.”

“I don’t want more kids,” Duke says and eyes me warily. “They’re awful. Sure, they start off cute and make you laugh with their terrible sausage-eating skills. But then, they get older and meddle with your love life. No way am I going through that crap again.”

“Oh, well, then maybe you need to marry a woman older than you. Someone who won’t get accidentally knocked up. I have an old art teacher who might interest you.”

“Just leave me alone. Focus your crazy matchmaking skills on your grandmother. She’d love to date dozens of men while you find the right one.”

“Okay, but I also plan to search for someone for Edith,” I say and consider my new pals. “I’m excited about living at the homestead. It’ll be fun to have people to hang out with all the time. You and Clover are too self-sufficient.”

“You used to be self-sufficient, too.”

“Val broke me. I’m a needy bitch now.”

“Well, nothing good comes without costs. To have him, you’ll need to live with being weak and needy.”

“I know you don’t want grandkids yet, but I hope I’m knocked up by Christmas.”

Duke stares upward as if begging God for guidance. I smile at his irritation. I also know by the time my baby is born, he’ll be over his worries.

I suspect the stripper will be in the past by then. Duke can settle back into his usual routine once Val wears the Blood-Red Suns’ vest and rides Basin Rock’s roads. My dad already seems calmer than he was only a week ago.

I’m calmer, too. The idea of living at the homestead seemed like a line I wasn’t willing to cross. Basin Rock was the only home I needed. Now the idea of hanging out with the girls from the homestead feels like a party.

The next day, I get a chance to bond more with them when Clover and I head to a Rockwell salon.

Tuesday, Edith, and the others are already outside. Alexis lingers near the car, seeming nervous. Tuesday and Oana are forced to drag her forward.

“I had a bad salon experience before,” Alexis explains when they reach Clover and me at the front door. “But West still found me sexy, so it’s okay.”

Tuesday hugs Alexis from behind. “Yes, he did. And we’ve learned our lesson, so no facial treatments this time.”

“Wait, I’m scheduled to get a facial,” Clover mumbles and touches her cheek. “Grandma Erin said it would help with all the makeup I’ll have piled on my face at the wedding.”

“I think she was teasing you,” I promise my sister. “Everyone should wear the amount of makeup they’re comfortable with. And you can skip the facial if you want. Just have fun.”

With Clover calmer now, our group moves inside the building where we take up all the spots for various beauty procedures. I choose a hair trim and conditioning treatment. I don’t trust anyone doing anything different to my face that might cause a possible breakout before my big day.

I study the women I’ll soon live with on the homestead. Sunny blonde Tuesday talks enough for everyone. Pale ginger Alexis is slyly funny. Blonde rocker Oana seems nervous in each new situation before mellowing out. Roxie is a gorgeous yet awkward teen. Edith is back in her bitchy Instagram model mode.

Soon, I’ll live in a house at the homestead. These women will be my support system. Suddenly, Basin Rock seems like a million miles away. Clover, Duke, and Erin will become strangers.

“What’s wrong?” Clover asks while getting her hair trimmed nearby. “Do I need to come over and hug you?”

“No,” I mumble, wiping tears from my eyes. “I’ve gotten myself worked up over how far away Tumbling Rock and Basin Rock are from each other.”

“Oh, it’s not so bad,” Tuesday assures me. “When Val was stalking you, he’d be over in Basin Rock all the time. But we’d call him and he’d be back so fast. Once you get the hang of driving back and forth, you’ll see how the distance is nothing.”

“Wait, you’re moving to Tumbling Rock?” Edith asks, frowning at me. “I thought Val was becoming the VP for your father’s club.”

“He will, but the future of the Blood-Red Suns will likely run through Tumbling Rock.”

Feeling overly emotional, I don’t know what I’m looking for from the other women. They glance at each other nervously, likely wondering if I’m always so moody.

“It’ll be okay,” Tuesday assures me. “You and Val are young and starting out. What you do in the next five years doesn’t dictate where you’ll be in ten or twenty. Things change. Duke isn’t going anywhere as president, right? Well, then, you have plenty of time to try out living in both towns.”

“Is Basin Rock that much better?” Edith asks me.

“Yes.”

“It seems like any other small town.”

“It is, but there are lots of fun restaurants there. Maybe that’s the case everywhere, but I never planned to live anywhere else. So now, I feel like I’m losing something.”

“No,” Clover says and then freezes since her voice is louder than she intended. Nervous with all eyes on her, she mumbles, “I think you’re intimidated by the homestead, so you’re making a big deal out of nothing.”

“Intimidated?” Oana asks and rubs her belly. “Yeah, I can see that.”

“Hush, child,” Tuesday hisses. “How dare you speak facts when what we need today are glorious lies?”

“The homestead is very inviting,” Edith says while Tuesday tsk-tsks Oana. “At certain times of the year, it has an almost magical allure.”

Her cousin and sister-in-law quit sassily waving their fingers in front of each other’s faces long enough to notice Edith getting emotional.

“Oh, my, God, your feelings!” Tuesday cries and nearly knocks her manicurist to the floor while hurrying to Edith’s side. Hugging the teary-eyed woman’s head into her bosom, she shushes her. “Be brave. Persevere.”

“What’s happening?” Alexis asks and glances at Oana. “What am I missing?”

“Edith has considered expanding her search for suitable dong,” Tuesday explains. “That would mean leaving the homestead.”

“I could help you find someone,” I blurt out immediately.

Edith frowns at me. “Who?”

“There are lots of single guys around Basin Rock. I can help you find a good one.”

Edith’s blue eyes study me for too long, and I suspect she’s recalling when Tuesday dated Cubby.

“Uh, no, there aren’t,” Tuesday finally says after looking for a nicer way to respond. “Not really.”

“They’re not all like Cubby,” I mutter and add with a scowl, “Besides, how awful could he be if you chose to date him?”

“I was in the mood for meaty, and Cubby’s got a beefy aura.”

Alexis gasps. “Wait, do you think Edith should date Cubby?”

“No,” Edith says and shoves off Tuesday. “I’m not enduring your sloppy seconds.”

“That’s smart,” Tuesday replies immediately. “He’s had the best, so you’re bound to look like the rest.”

Tuesday and Edith scowl hard at each other. Nearby, Alexis, Roxie, and Oana stare wide-eyed, seeming excited over a possible catfight.

Edith hisses at Tuesday, “I would never date Cubby.”

“There are other guys,” I offer, choosing to play peacemaker since my moodiness stirred up the drama. “And while maybe none of them seem perfect now, I bet a few clean up well.”

“Then why didn’t you date them?” Edith asks.

“I grew up around them, and I was meant to be with Val.”

“There it is,” Tuesday says and hugs me. “My brother is a real prize. Oh, he might act like a complete fricking dumbass, but the man’s sharp as a tack and as hard-working as a...” Tuesday struggles with her answer before shrugging. “He’s a hard worker.”

“I know Val’s great. That’s why I’m happy to marry him.”

Tuesday gently grips my chin and stares into my eyes. “Will you give him sufficiently adorable children with great hair?”

“Yes.”

“But not too many. I don’t want you showing me up.”

“I only want two.”

“That’s probably smart. You’ll have large babies. Birthing too many of them might ruin your muff.”

“Thank you for your concern,” I tell Tuesday who smiles and returns to Edith.

Her cousin rolls her eyes. “Keep walking.”

“No, no, you’re sad. I must offer you a place to rest your weary head,” Tuesday insists while shoving Edith’s head against her chest. “You are such a special gal.”

At first, Edith struggles to free herself. Then, her gaze meets mine. I don’t know what she sees on my face, but she gives up and allows Tuesday to soothe her.

“Wait, so I’m confused,” Oana says, and Alexis grins instantly as if they’re doing a bit. “Is Edith going to date Cubby?”

“No,” Roxie insists. “I’m putting my foot down.”

Clover surprises me by peeping up, “He can be very considerate.”

“How exactly?” Roxie insists as if she might throw down with my sister.

“He brought me soup when I was sick.”

Roxie glances around before nodding. “Okay, that’s considerate.”

Enjoying everyone’s good mood, I don’t mention how Cubby only brought the soup because Duke told him to. Clover glances at me and smiles at my silence.

“Here’s the plan,” Tuesday announces after Edith gets fed up and shoves her off. “We’ll all focus our joy in Lola’s direction for the next few weeks. Get her and Val into a state of bliss. It’ll need to be a real group effort.”

Alexis and Oana nod immediately, watching Tuesday prance around the salon.

“Once my brother has worn himself out with Lola’s muff, we’ll rally around Edith and find her a man.”

“Just leave me alone,” Edith mutters.

Tuesday smiles softly. “No,” she says and then turns to me. “We’ll hook her up with several bikers from your club. If that doesn’t work, we’ll all go visit Rie in Arcadia. I know she’ll love to have a dozen people show up unannounced at her house. Then, we’ll drive around that swanky beach down, flagging down any possible hotties.”

“Isn’t there a biker club in that swanky beach town?” Betty Mooney asks as she enters the salon wearing faded blue jeans folded up at the ankles, a black “Tiger Army” T-shirt, and her black hair wrapped up in a red bandana. “Oh, and thanks for waiting for me, dumbasses.”

Oana gasps and touches her feathery hair as if she can reattach the cut pieces. “We didn’t think you were coming.”

“I wasn’t until Otto ditched me to ride with Donovan and Ike for a little male bonding. I assume they’ll end up eating wings and watching sports while burping and farting a lot.”

“Men are such simple creatures,” Tuesday says wistfully as she still wanders around with her plastic salon cape floating around her. “Betty, you desperately need beautifying. Take my spot. I’m busy supervising.”

“Don’t boss me around, kiddo.”

“Fine. Sit your ass in the waiting room and I’ll take my time here.”

Betty struts over to Tuesday. “I oughta tear a chunk of that lovely blonde hair from your air-filled head.”

“My hair is lovely, isn’t it?” Tuesday says and bounces around Betty. “I wish you’d bleach your hair and go blonde. I bet Otto would want you more.”

“He wants me plenty enough now.”

“Still getting chafed from all that wanting?” Tuesday taunts and jumps back when Betty swings at her.

I am ninety-five percent sure the two women are only screwing around. However, Betty has a mean poker face. Until she smiles, I can’t be a hundred percent certain about what will happen next.

Everyone eventually settles down. As we finish up our beauty treatments, Tuesday moves around the salon, still wearing her cape.

The only person not in a goofy mood is Edith. She stares at the floor, lost in thought. I don’t blame her for feeling depressed. She’s surrounded by people lost in love. Now everyone is in her business over finding a man.

And I’m no better because my mind races with thoughts of men I know. There’s the semi-attractive son of a Basin Rock rancher. There’s club member Knobby’s older brother who manages the feed store. I don’t think Edith would like any of the actual club members.

However, if Edith showed interest in any of those guys, they’d drop to their knees and worship her. Cubby was the same way with Tuesday in the beginning. Of course, he soon realized she was more than he could handle. Once he decided she would dump him, he started sabotaging things.

That’s why none of those club guys could work with Edith. She’d intimidate them. They’d act out like children. She’d be unhappy and dump them.

I consider that rich town where Val’s cousin lives. Arcadia probably has a lot of handsome men with good jobs. Edith would look great on any of their arms. But that would mean leaving her home.

Already moody today, I find myself overly focused on Edith’s situation. Months ago, I’d been miserable, thinking I could never have Val. The curse felt like a thousand pounds resting on my shoulders. I couldn’t shake the malaise. But the homestead magic brought Val to me and stole the curse’s power.

I can’t believe Edith won’t win the same battle.

However, before I can leave my seat and console her, the door to the salon opens. Rather than a troublemaker like Elishia Hill, I’m faced with someone much more fearsome.

Poppy Mercer.