CHAPTER FOURTEEN

-:- ROCK -:-

Saturday morning and I’m a little later than normal walking into the kitchen to grab some breakfast. I notice from the side view that Meat is smirking, and that’s unusual, so I look around the kitchen to see if Star is around. Not seeing her, I’m not sure what has him looking so relaxed and for him, cheerful, because a smirk from him would be full-on laughing for anyone else.

Bitty is working at the sink, rinsing and placing dishes in the dishwasher. Amelia is cleaning the area where Axel, Mia, and the twins had been eating, and by the look of it, the twins had a great time.

While eating, I notice a sign on one of the stoves, and grin as it says ‘Dangerous–Out of Action’. The damn thing is orange with red and black writing, so it’s more than a little noticeable.

Star skips into the kitchen, gives Meat a sultry look, blows him a kiss, winks and walks back out. My eyes flick over to Meat and as he turns I can’t help but throw my head back laughing as he has a proud look on his face as he displays a neck full of hickeys. But it’s the speed he follows Star out that has me smirking, because it is reminiscent of Knuckles following Jo and we all know what that leads to.

Once I arrive at work, I quickly organize the next week's paint order. This woman who is friends with Splash is turning out to be fuckin’ amazing. She mixes exactly what we ask for and delivers on time. Siggy, yeah, that’s her name. She’s always in coveralls that are splashed with paint. Head covered in a bandana with Siggy’s Mix on the front. She wears a ball cap on top of the bandana, so I’ve no idea what her hair looks like, but she’s one hell of a gorgeous-looking woman. If the brothers catch sight of her, I’m sure she’ll end up with one panting after her.

Picking up my phone where it’s vibrating on my desk, I see an unknown number. But, as I’ve placed this number on my work phone for social media contacting and advertising, I shrug and answer.

“Good morning, Rock speaking from Hot Hogs and Cages. How can I help you?”

“Good morning. My name is Griff and I’ve seen your post in the grocery store and post office. I wondered if you still have the vacancy for a mechanic?”

“We do. If you want to come over to Hot Hogs, I can give you an interview today.” I pick up my pen and write Griff down so I don’t forget and tap on the paper, waiting.

“Yeah, I can be there in thirty minutes if that is good with you?”

“That’s good. See you then.” I cut the call because I’m not one for chitchat, and I want to speak with Clay and Dice.

Making my way to the workshop, the first thing I notice is Clay and Dice are standing on one side, speaking quietly to each other. Krylon is oblivious as he is spraying the tank for the hog that we are overhauling.

“What the fuck are you two up to? Dice, you also need to fill me in on what Pres had to say yesterday.” I fold my arms over my chest and give them a look that tells them I’m not budging.

“No can do, Rock. Axel’s orders. He will fill everyone in tomorrow at church,” Dice grins, knowing full well I hate secrets.

“Fuck’s sake,” I growl, then grin. “Don’t be asking me my shit from now on. I’ll be keeping quiet too.” I see the frown they both wear and think my work is done, and walk out whistling as I go.

Stepping into the cage side, I watch Fist working on his latest job, and know he’ll need to finish this early next week if we are to keep on schedule with the work we have.

“Everything okay, Fist?” I ask as I let him know I’m here.

“Yeah, I’m about done. I can finish this Monday.” Fist wipes his face with the dirty rag from his back pocket, and I hold back the grin as he smears oil across his forehead.

“You know, oil’s a good look on you, Fist.”

Both Fist and I turn seeing Stitch standing in the doorway smirking at the mess on Fist’s face. Grunting, Fist stomps out and toward the restroom, where he’ll clean up before he stops for lunch.

“What brings you here?” I ask and give a chin lift for him to follow me.

“I wanted to give you a heads up that yesterday I gave Dest a ride home. She was carrying a shit ton of bags. Groceries, which were far too many for her to be lugging around.”

“What the hell! You could have texted me and I’d have picked her up,” I snap.

“Nah, was right there and did my good deed for the day. But you might take her grocery shopping or think about getting her a vehicle.” Stitch is grinning like a fool because he knows we are not a couple yet. But I’m gonna move the deadline up on this, especially hearing this shit.

“Well, I thank you for doing that and I’ll look into it. Anything else you need?” I growl.

“Nope, I’m done here.” Not waiting to say more, Stitch turns and walks away.

“Rock, there’s a man here saying he’s here for an interview,” Dice shouts.

Walking through, I see a fucking giant standing in the bay area. He must be 6’ 5”, short hair, and damn fit.

“Griff, follow me through to the office.” I wait for him to step forward, then turn and walk through and take a seat, indicating he takes a seat too.

“Thank you for seeing me at such short notice,” Griff says, and he’s a serious man by the sounds of him.

“Not a problem, Griff. We are looking for an experienced mechanic to work with vehicles. It’s in the building next door, or will be when we have it equipped. This building we will remain working on hogs, mechanically and respraying, so this side isn’t where you’ll be.”

Griff is nodding and taking in everything I’m saying. He’s a quiet one by the looks and that will be good because Fist is a noisy fucker. “Okay, tell me what experience you have.”

“I was in the military, served one deployment. I had an injury so was discharged, but I’ve been working as a mechanic in various places. Not settling if I’m honest. Then I came home because my grandmother was taken ill, and with my parents gone, she only had me. I took care of her until she died four months past. But I like it here. I have her house, which she left for me. No mortgage to pay and it needs a little fixing in places but not much, so I’ve a roof over my head. Now I’m looking to settle into a job that I can get my teeth into.

“Someone told me about the notice in the Post Office and they recommended I speak with you. That’s why I’ve contacted you. I’ve worked on commercial and private vehicles so have a lot of experience. I’m thirty-six now and, if I’m totally honest, about ready to settle down, but finding a decent woman is another topic.”

Nodding as I’m listening because he sounds like many of us that are prior military, and I’m thinking I may get him to join the MC at some time if he’s up for it, and if I find him worthy.

“I’m sorry to hear you lost your grandmother and parents,” I start to say but am interrupted.

“Oh, I didn’t lose my parents as in dead. They got up and left when I was four, leaving my grandmother to raise me. But I’m okay with that. She was an amazing woman. She loved me dearly, and I returned those feelings. My parents can drop off the face of the earth as far as I’m concerned.”

“Well, I reckon I’d be feeling the same if that was me. How about you start on Monday? We are in the ‘fixing the place up’ stage at the moment, but every hand helps. You’ll get paid the same as everyone else, and I’ll have a sit down and go through everything once we get to the real employment stage. Come with me and I’ll introduce you to the guys you’ll be working with.” I stand and give Griff a slap on the back before heading out of the office and to the cages side of the business.

Walking into the mess that is the new building, I grin as Fist looks up from where he’d been throwing shit into the dumpster next to the door.

Whistling loudly, I get Splash and Raw's attention as well. “Guys, this is Griff, a mechanic. Now Griff is starting Monday, but I wanted you to meet him. He’ll be working alongside you all until we are ready to open for business. Griff, this is Raw, Splash and Fist. Fist will be your direct boss, but he also answers to me.”

After everyone shakes hands and explains what they are doing, I’m happy to see Griff throw off his jacket, roll up his sleeves and quickly starts to help. Now that is when I know I’m looking at a new brother, it’s just a question of when can we pull him in.

“I’m leaving in half an hour, Fist. I’ve got an ice cream to go eat with my girl.” I give Fist a huge grin, and he shakes his head but keeps his comments to himself.

After arriving at the clubhouse, I shower, spruce myself up, and give myself a nod in the mirror. Happy with what I’m seeing, I head down to the kitchen, where I’m going to grab some bottles of water in case we end up going for a walk somewhere.

“I’m going to bake that cake. You use the other oven,” Sybil snaps at Bitty. Now everyone sees that Bitty is the meeker of the three, but I’ve seen her hold her own.

“Shove it up your arse, Sybil,” Bitty snarls, and I know she’s been hanging around Star.

Sybil goes to the stove and, not seeing the warning notice, I think nothing of it, but when she turns it on a huge bang sounds and smoke billows out of the fuckin’ thing.

BS, Drag and Wings run into the kitchen, and I give Sybil a shrug of the shoulders as she’s standing looking at the exploding stove with a shocked expression.

Stepping out the back door, I notice Meat and Star running full-out toward the treehouse, and I can’t help but snicker because those two fuckers just made sure Meat got a new stove. Hearing laughter, I look over at the treehouse and they are high-fiving each other and dancing around. Yeah, it was planned.

Arriving at Red's in the SUV, I park and head for the front door. Before I get to it the door opens, Jessica bursts forth and throws herself at me.

“Hi, Rock. I’ve been waiting ages for you. I was beginning to think you’d let us down.” She looks me right in the eye and I almost squirm under her gaze.

“Jessica, I would never let you or your aunt down. If I say I’m gonna do something, I’ll do it. If either of you ever needs me, I’ll be there for you. Now, do you believe that?”

“Yes, Rock. I believe you,” Jessica replies, not once breaking our eye contact. She is so grown up for a young child that it’s amazing.

“And if you break that promise to her, I’ll cut your heart out with a rusty spoon.” Red stands in front of me, grinning and laughing. Jessica laughs with her aunt, but I don’t think for one minute there was an ounce of humor in Red’s meaning.

Driving out of town, Jessica talks at a hundred miles an hour. She fires question after question. Where are we going? Are we there yet? What’s there when we get there? Is it lunchtime yet? What are we going to eat?

Luckily, even though I’m not used to it, I find it amusing rather than annoying. I noticed Red giving me sly glances and, on one occasion, gave her my biggest smile to show that I was enjoying myself.

Arriving at the spot I’d chosen, one that I had learned about from Forest next to a river, we spread out a blanket I retrieved from the rear of the SUV, and a couple of picnic baskets I’d asked Star to prepare. In fairness, I’d asked for one, but she had gone the extra mile and done two. Even labeling them as first and second. Seeing the excitement on Jessica's face, I ask if she wants to open the picnic basket. Without a moment's hesitation, she opens the first basket.

There’s a bang and gold and silver glitter flies everywhere. Then small heart-shaped balloons on strings stream out of the basket to hover in the air.

Jessica is in danger of a heart attack with pure joy and I’m in danger of one with embarrassment. I look at Red and my face must be a picture.

“Oh dear, I guess this wasn’t your doing?” She states and looks at me with raised eyebrows.

“Hell no,” I blurt out before realizing I’m digging a hole for myself. “I mean, I wish I’d thought of it, but it caught me by surprise.” I can feel myself blushing furiously. Goddamn it. Blushing, for fuck’s sake.

“Well, Rock. If it had been your idea, it might have been a good start.” Red leans forward and as I lean in for the kiss, she pulls the basket towards herself to look inside. I’m left there hanging until Jessica busts out laughing and squeals, “Aunt D, Rock wants to kiss you!”

Could this picnic get any worse? Jumping to my feet, I trip over the basket, and stumble down the bank to land ass first in the river. Before I get the chance to open my mouth and curse, I hear the most amazing sound that stops me in my tracks.

Looking up at the bank, Red and Jessica are laughing with all their hearts. It is the most amazing sound I think I’ve ever heard. I begin to laugh with them, and as I step out of the river I chase them around the bank. Catching Jessica first, I tickle her and let her go.

Grabbing Red, I pull her into me and kiss her, totally shocked when I’m kissed back with a ferocity I’ve never experienced. Coming up for air, we both look at each other in shock and awe. Once again, Jessica breaks the spell when she squeals, “Aunt D! This is so cool. Now you’ll have to get married!”

Blushing madly Red looks stunned, so I pick up Jessica, holding Red's hand, we walk back to the blanket.

“Okay, Jessica. Let’s see what’s in basket number two.”

Opening the lid much more carefully, there’s no bang or glitter. Seeing a glimpse of disappointment on Jessica’s face only enhances my feeling of relief.

Raiding both baskets reveals a huge selection of picnic treats, we spend a happy hour eating and drinking. Once we’re done, we clear the blanket, and I lay between ‘my girls’. Jessica lays her head on my stomach saying, “Thanks, Rock. That was the bestest picnic ever.”

Red lays her head on my chest and I hear her whisper, “Thanks, Rock. That was the bestest kiss ever.”

As I feel like I’m about to burst with happiness, Jessica’s voice drifts up. “I heard that, Aunt D! When’s the wedding?” Followed by a peal of laughter.