Chapter Thirteen

Genesis

OPENING UP TO Caleb, Devil's brother, is like lifting a heavy weight off of my shoulders. The day I met him, I felt as if I were finding a long lost friend and any hesitation and lack of trust I normally feel with other people disappeared. We talked late into the night and I went to bed shortly before Devil got home from work. Wade liked talking to him and whenever I spoke about anything, he paid close attention to every word coming out of my mouth. It's a heady feeling to have two people, men at that, listen to you so intently. For the first time in my life, I didn't second guess everything I said. I'm not that way with anyone. Including Morgan who knows me the best out of everyone involved with the Phantom Bastards MC. Knowing that I can open up around Wade and Dylan means I'll have to start opening up to her and Hope. They're the two who spend the most time with me and I feel horrible because I haven't opened up so far with them.

Dylan and Wade both offered for Caleb to stay at the house with us. He refused, saying he wants to catch up with everyone so staying in the clubhouse will be better for that. When he needs to get away because everything is overwhelming him, that's when he either shows up to visit with us here or goes to Jinx and Hope's house so he's spending time with his other brother as well. Matie loves it when Caleb shows up. Caleb is the fun, playful uncle I always hoped Matie would have in his life. It's so fun to watch them interact and hear Caleb plan for the future. I don't think that's something he's done a lot and now that he's no longer in the military, he's starting to plan and dream once more.

Vault also talked to me and I really don't have to worry about having a job at Enchantment once Doc clears me to return to work. I won't be going back as a waitress though. Dylan and Vault want me to work just under Dylan. I'll fill in wherever I'm needed on the floor, help Dylan with paperwork and scheduling, and will no longer wait tables. To make up for the fact that I'm no longer gonna be making all of the tips I've been counting on, I got a significant raise for the position I'll be going back to. I'll also have the power to fire and hire people. Vault told me that the first time someone doesn't listen to me, I'm not to take their shit. Instead, they're done. No one gets a second chance if they can't respect my position in the club and listen to me when I ask them to do something.

At first, I was skeptical of the new position. When Vault explained that Dylan talked to him about it days before Ricky attacked me, I felt a little better about the situation. He told me that Dylan doesn't want me on the floor for entire shifts any longer and if I have questions about why, I'll have to go to the man in question. In fact, the night Ricky attacked me, Vault was supposed to show up and talk to me about the new role they wanted me to have in Enchantment. We all know what happened so it's taken them this long to talk to me about it because they all wanted me to have time to heal. No, I'm not completely healed, but I'll be able to possibly get released to go back to work a little early if Doc knows I won't be waitressing any longer. I don't think that will make a difference to him, but we'll see what happens.

Honestly, I feel better. My ribs still bother me when I twist or move certain ways so I'm very careful with my movements while I'm awake. It's my arm and shoulder that are still giving me the most problems. Doc still has me wearing the sling to limit my movements and so it's elevated to a certain extent. I can't even tell you the last time I've taken a pain pill. Within days I was limiting myself and now it's only when my shoulder hurts me and gets worse that I give in and take pain medicine. First, I always try to take something that's over the counter and I know won't make me sleep the way I was the first few days after the attack.

What I've truly enjoyed the most over the last few days is getting to spend time with Dylan and Wade one on one. Yes, I know why they aren't hanging out and about the huge rift between the two of them. It breaks my heart to know these two are barely talking. Dylan is the only one who can fix the situation though. Until he steps up and talks to his family, both here and in Benton Falls, Wade isn't going to let him back in his life. Both men are broken hearted and look at one another with pure longing and pain when the other isn't looking. I want to do something to fix the problem, but it's up to them and no one else.

I've learned that both men are extremely protective and will do anything to ensure Matie and I are safe. Dylan takes it a little more serious than Wade does, but I think that's just because he's the Enforcer of the club and it's literally his responsibility to protect Vault when they're out on a run and everyone else when he's home. Dylan prefers to sit back and watch everyone around him while Wade likes to be right there in the middle of whatever conversation is going on. With every new thing I learn about each man, the crush I've developed on them gets worse. I'm trying my hardest not to let it show, but Morgan, Hope, and Caleb have all caught on to how I feel. Those were some hard conversations to have while not letting the guys overhear us.

Being able to walk around the house and sit in the living room or outside on the porch has made me extremely happy. I'm not stuck in the bedroom all alone unless Morgan or Hope come up to see me. A few times others from the club have made an appearance, but I know everyone's busy as hell and have a ton of stuff to do. Besides, I'm just an employee of the Phantom Bastards and I really don't expect anyone to come spend time with me just because I'm here. Plus, it only makes me see what I don't have in my life and how truly alone I am in the world. Everyone here on the compound is surrounded by a ton of people. They know without a doubt that if they have a problem, someone will be there to talk to, help, or do whatever they need. Once I'm completely healed and don't need help with Matie any longer, I'll be all alone in the world once again.

I've already started looking for a new apartment. With what I have saved and the raise I'm getting, I'll be able to afford a better place for Matie and I to live. Dylan and Wade told me they weren't gonna kick me out immediately and that I'd be able to stay here as long as I need to. I've never been the person to take advantage of a situation and I'm sure as fuck not going to start now. Once I find a place and can take care of Matie, I'll be out of the way so Wade and Dylan can start repairing the damage done to their friendship and relationship.

Today has dragged on slower than any other day I've had since the attack from Ricky and his men. I'm used to doing things around the apartment and taking care of Matie when I'm not at work. With only one arm I can use, I'm only allowed to do the bare minimum. The guys don't absolutely lose their mind if I get a drink or something small to eat. It's only when I try to clean something or rinse the dishes off to load in the dishwasher that Wade and Dylan lose their minds. Morgan also loses her mind when she catches me trying to do anything around the house. I honestly feel worse not being able to help everyone because I feel as if I'm taking advantage of Wade and Dylan. They clean, cook, take care of Matie, and everything else that has to be done on a daily basis. It gives me nothing but time to sit and think about all the shit going on in my life and trying to figure out how to change it.

So far, the only way I've thought of to get away from all the bullshit is to leave Pine View. I might not have much of a life here, but I do have one. If I'm going to get away from Ricky and stay safe from anyone finding out the truth about why I have Matie with me, it might be my only option moving forward. Now that I've finally decided to let people in and share my life with them, this is what it comes down to. I'll leave and start all over again somewhere new. Without people around who don't force me to open up on a personal level and who are content to wait until I'm ready to take that step on my own.

"Penny for your thoughts," Caleb says, startling me as he steps up on the porch and takes the rocking chair next to me.

"My head is kind of all over the place today," I tell him honestly, grabbing my bottle of water and taking a sip of it before turning to face Caleb.

I think what I like most about Caleb is that he's content to sit and not talk about anything as much as he's happy to talk about anything under the sun. He's not a forceful presence but just sits there and offers silence and companionship when that's what's needed in a situation. Today, I kind of want to talk to him about things.

"I don't know how much the guys have filled you in or what you've put together from the few conversations we've had so far," I begin, adjusting my arm so it's in a slightly more comfortable position. "Matie isn't my son. My foster sister, Melinda, is his mom and she dropped him off to me almost seven months ago. She was beaten to hell by her boyfriend and couldn't be on the run with a baby. It's about the least selfish thing she's ever done in her entire life. Anyway, I've been raising Matie as my son and everything I do is for him. I work at the strip club as a waitress and make a killing on tips. It's the only reason I'm still there if I'm being honest.

"Anyway, a few weeks ago, Matie's dad showed up demanding to know where Melinda is. He really didn't ask about Matie other than referring to him as his possession without saying the words. It's the only reason he wants either one of them back. When I told him I didn't know where Melinda is, he had his two assholes beat the shit out of me while he watched and screamed at me. The last thing he did is kick me in the ribs. I know he's gonna keep coming for me until he gets the answers he wants. I mean, it doesn't help that I taunt him because he's a piece of shit. The beating was my fault because I insulted him. But, today I've gotten so lost in my head about what to do with the situation. The only way I can protect Matie is if I leave Pine View and move somewhere no one knows me or what's gone on in my life," I say, purging all sorts of information at one time for Caleb.

"First of all, a man puttin' his fuckin' hands on you for any reason isn't cool. I don't care if you call him every name in the book, tell him he's got a micro cock, or anythin' else you say. To have two men put their hands on you and do the damage I've heard was done is fuckin' brutal and those three should be taken out without hesitation. I'm not surprised to learn Matie isn't your son or that you took him in with no thought of how it would affect you and your life. You're a young woman and should be out partyin' and havin' the best years of your life. Instead, I have a feelin' you remain at home with Matie and the only time you leave is to run errands and go to work," Caleb says, knowing I've never been big on going to parties or any of that bullshit.

I mean, a big part of that is probably because I've never been invited to a party a day in my life. Even in high school when all of the kids in my grade started going to boy girl parties, I was never invited. I was the girl everyone could go to if they needed help with a paper or homework, but no one ever wanted to be my friend. Oh, they pretended to get the help they needed, but that's it. Once they were done with the work, they were done with me.

"I would never turn Matie away. From the second he was born, he's had my entire heart and absolutely owns me. I've loved him the way Melinda should have and did all I could to protect and love him from afar. Ricky didn't like me hanging out at the trailer they shared so I only visited a few times until he finally banned me from going over there at all. The only time I saw him is if I happened to run into Melinda when she was out of the trailer with him and that wasn't very often at all," I inform Caleb as he stares out at the yard in front of us.

"I know you wouldn't, Genesis. You're too sweet and pure to do anythin' but take him and love him the way your foster sister couldn't. I'm glad she gave him to you instead of someone who would hurt him in ways he can't come back from. Some things are too horrible to ever forget no matter how young you are. Anyway, from what I've seen and heard at the clubhouse, the guys are doin' what they can to find Ricky. Do you not believe they'll protect you?" he returns, looking at me as I try to figure out how to answer the question I've asked myself so many times over the last few weeks.

"To a certain extent I believe the club will protect Matie and me. The only reason for that is because I'm an employee of their strip club. I know they protect those who are under their employment and others in the community. This situation is different and I know no matter what Ricky is just going to keep escalating his attacks against me until he gets the information he wants or kills me. Then Matie will be all alone in the world and if Ricky gets his hands on that sweet boy, he'll treat him like shit and beat on him until he's just as evil and vile as he is," I state the truth as I know it while taking another drink of my water.

"You really have no clue what's goin' on. My brother and Wade are fuckin' stupid and are gonna wait too long for what they have right in front of them," Caleb says, confusing the hell out of me as he turns in his seat and starts rocking while looking at me. "Do you have any clue of the power you have over Wade and Dylan? Everythin' they do is for you and that baby in there. I'm guessin' my brother is inside right this minute givin' Matie his lunch and makin' sure he's cleaned up for his nap. For two men who haven't had anythin' to do with babies or all that goes with that, they've adapted their lives to keep him on schedule. One that you put in place and they did it without questionin' you at all. From what I've been told, they filled their entire home that was previously unfurnished with furniture so the two of you would be comfortable.

"The club will step up and protect you because in Dylan's and Wade's eyes, you're their woman. They're takin' shit slow and gettin' to know you as you slowly open up with them. They're also lettin' you get rare glimpses into their lives and the relationship they share with one another. I know they aren't together right now, but you're one of the only people who know. It might have been an accident how you found out, but you know about them. Everyone in the club knows how they feel about you and will step up because of them. You're becomin' a part of the Phantom Bastard family and it's only gonna get worse once our parents get here," Caleb states with a smirk on his face as I stare at him with an open mouth.

"They don't want me like that, Caleb. I'm not skinny or pretty enough to be the girl a biker chooses for more than a random fuck to say they had sex with the fat girl," I tell him, averting my eyes and looking down at the porch in front of me.

I don't hear Caleb move as he crouches down in front of me and gently lifts my chin with his pointer finger. Anger and hurt fill his eyes as he takes a long look deep into my eyes.

"I don't know who told you that shit, Genesis. You aren't the fat girl no biker would have a relationship with. You're a beautiful woman with curves in all the right fuckin' places. I can tell you right fuckin' now that if my little brother and Wade weren't interested in you, I would take you and Matie out of this house and make you mine. Yes, I ride a bike and will be joinin' one of the clubs soon. Wade and Dylan want you because of your huge heart and the way that you've shown them you're loyalty when you had no reason to. Genesis, you kept their secret instead of tellin' the world. To them, that's more important than anythin' else. And I know for a fact, Dylan thinks you're sexy as fuck. Wade does too. You don't see the way they look at you with hunger fillin' their eyes as they watch you walk from one place to the next. So, don't think of leavin' Pine View at all. They'd only come find you if you did decide to leave. Stay and see where this shit goes," Caleb says, as we stare at one another and I see the truth of his words.

I don't say anything in response before Dylan opens the front door and takes in the scene before him. Caleb makes up some excuse as to why he's so close to me while getting up and taking Matie from Dylan's arms. I'm led back inside the house for lunch. Today, Dylan made spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and a side salad. I've already got a plate full of food as I sit down at the island in the kitchen. The three of us eat in silence as Caleb holds Matie in one arm while he drinks his bottle. It doesn't take more than a few minutes before Caleb's putting the baby in his crib for a nap. When I'm done eating, I tell Dylan I'm going to lay down for a while. This way Caleb and him can talk without me being in the middle of their conversation and I can try to process what I was just told. It's a lot and I can't seem to wrap my mind around Caleb's words.