Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Zoey

TODAY IS THE day I start school again. I managed to get into a few summer classes so I can complete my degree just that much sooner. I’m not sure how many classes I’ll be able to take in the fall semester when I’m even further along in my pregnancy so the more I can take now, the better I’ll feel about everything. I don’t want to get behind in everything and then end up not finishing my degree at all. I’ve seen it happen to too many people because they get so focused on everything outside of what they want to accomplish at school. While I want to be a mom to these babies, my degree is also important to me. For as long as I can remember, I want to become a social worker. I want to help those in need and to stand up for the kids who aren’t strong enough to stand up for themselves like me. Still to this day I don’t stand up for myself when it comes to bullies and the hell they put me through. I’ve got all the training and know how to defend myself and fight, but it does absolutely nothing when you need it to if you freeze and don’t do anything to prevent yourself from getting hurt.

Jameson is already at work as I get ready and head out to class. I’ve got my bag packed, a few bottles of ginger ale, a sleeve of saltines, and a few other things to ensure I’m not getting as sick at school as I have been at the clubhouse and work. I’d hate to disrupt my lectures because I have to run to the bathroom and get sick. Or worse, get sick in the lecture hall because I can’t make it to the bathroom. That will be a great way to start over at a new school. Grabbing everything I need for my day, especially my phone charger, I head out and get in one of the club’s SUVS. They’re letting me use one until I can get my car here. It’s actually still back in Clifton Falls because I didn’t need it when I was in Benton Falls. I could walk everywhere I needed to go. When it was too cold, my uncle G sent one of the Prospects or Kingston to take me anywhere I needed to go. So, it wasn’t a big deal for me to have my car here. Now, the situation has changed and I really need to get it. I’ll have to call my dad about bringing it to me.

I think back to a few days ago when we got back from the doctor’s appointment. Everyone was in the common room waiting for us. Most of the guys left work early to make sure everything was okay with the baby. The second we entered the clubhouse, Jameson made his way over to his sister where she was sitting on the couch with Xavier in her arms. He handed over the pictures from the ultrasound while taking his nephew in his arms and holding him close. It took Reagan a few minutes to realize what she was looking at before she started screaming out in excitement. She announced to the entire club that we were having twins. Jameson’s the one who informed everyone we’re having identical twins. Everyone cheered and congratulated us. It was a happy as fuck moment and the only way it would’ve been better for me would’ve been if my parents and brothers had been there. They still don’t know I’m pregnant and I really don’t want to tell them over the phone, but I might not have a choice in the matter if I don’t get to see them soon.

“You heading out for the day?” Reagan asks me as I make my way through the common room while feeding Xavier.

“Yeah. I’ve gotta be in class in a half hour. That gives me just enough time to get there,” I answer her, not stopping so I’m not late for my first day of classes.

“Have a good day, Zoey. Call me when you’re on your way back so I know you’re okay. I don’t know if Jameson will still be at work or not. It depends on if he’s in the tow truck today or not,” she says as I get to the door.

Turning to give her a nod, I push the door open and slide my sunglasses in place to shade my eyes from the bright as hell sun. With the keys in hand, I make my way to the designated SUV and get in. The Prospect on the gate this morning starts opening it as soon as I pull out from the side of the clubhouse so I can get on the road. I offer him up a small wave and pull away from the compound with the music blaring. I’ll have to remember to turn that shit down when I get back in case someone gets in and uses it when I’m not heading to class. If Jameson is here, I’ll always ride with him so I won’t need to worry about having an SUV.

He wanted to come with me today but had to go into work early. They’re all still playing catch up after the raid. I helped them clean up when we were allowed to and it was a complete mess. I’ve seen places after they’ve been raided in the past. It’s hard not to when you grow up in a motorcycle club. However, I’ve never seen anything as bad as what was done at the garage. The only place they truly didn’t demolish was the shop and I’m glad for that. If they destroyed all the equipment out there, it would’ve cost a ton of money to replace everything. And I’m sure they would’ve had to wait for everything to come in and be installed. It’s bad enough they lost the days of work they did. So, the guys there have been going in earlier in the day and staying late into the night. Jameson felt horrible that he couldn’t take me to school today, but I promised him I was okay and he could take me on a different day. It’s not like I don’t know what the fuck he’s up to. The man wants everyone there to know I’m his girl and they aren’t to fuck with me like at my old school. He’s a fucking caveman sometimes.

As I head out of town toward school, I keep my gaze firmly locked on my mirrors as often as I can. Jameson isn’t keeping me in the dark when it comes to the cop that followed me here. I know no one knows where the fuck he is and that Hawk and Fox are hitting walls when it comes to finding any information about him. From what I’ve been told, it’s like this fucker didn’t exist before he became a cop in Benton Falls a few years ago. They would’ve done a background check on him there so I don’t know how it’s possible for these two guys not to find anything on the shit stain. Anyway, I’m ready to have him found and put to ground once and for all. He’s a thorn in my fucking side and doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as anyone else. Not when he”s so fucking vile.

I talked to my uncle G and Kingston last night and neither one of them have seen the asshole back in Benton Falls. They’ve been keeping an eye out for him while Fox helps Hawk dig into the guy. They promised me they’d get in touch with Reaper and Jameson the second they find out anything. Plus, Hawk has been in constant contact with Fox. It’s actually really nice to see them working together and getting along because with Jameson being in this club and Reagan married to a member, they still have ties to the Phantom Bastards and will for the rest of their lives. Knowing Reaper accepts the Wild Kings and the Phantom Bastards makes me see he’s a good man.

These are the thoughts swirling through my mind as I drive to school with one eye on the road and the other on my mirrors. I’m almost to the campus and so far I’m not being followed and I don’t see any cop cars behind me. It’s almost a relief to know I don’t have to worry about the fucker today. However, if I allow myself to become complacent, I’ll forget to keep an eye out for the asshole and that’s when he’ll strike. I can’t afford to let myself believe he’s disappeared once and for all because he learned he’s not gonna win when he tries to go up against the Fallen Brethren MC. If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that things happen when you least expect them to. So, I have to stay vigilant at all times and constantly check my surroundings. It won’t be like that forever, but that’s my life right now.

I had four classes today and I’m exhausted as I make my way back to the clubhouse. It was your typical first day of class. We were handed the syllabus and went through every page of it in all my classes. The professors made sure we knew what was expected of us in each of their classes. Between my second and third class, I went to the bookstore to get all the text books I’d need for my classes because I haven’t had a chance to get there before today. I knew I wouldn’t need them before leaving here today anyway. So, now I’ve got a full backpack and the bag my textbooks were put in at the store.

I’ve also made a friend. In my first class this morning, I sat next to a girl named Alicia. She’s as shy as I am and was reading when I sat down next to her. Seeing the book in her hand, I couldn’t help but strike up a conversation with her. It’s a book I’ve been waiting to read and we got lost in our conversation about the author, books, and a few of our favorite authors and books. Before we left class, she asked me to get lunch with her if I didn’t have a class. I was excited to join her since we had our third class of the day together as well. So as soon as we left that class, we made our way to the dining hall and grabbed lunch to eat in the quad where we could sit in the sunshine and fresh air. Alicia and I spent the entire time we had discussing more books and sharing a little about our lives.

Alicia was so funny when I told her I rode a bike. She’s always wanted to get one, but doesn’t have the guts to actually get on one. I told her I’d take her for a ride when I could. I don’t have a problem having a female backpack with me. It will give her a taste of what it’s like to ride. She understands we can’t do it now since I’m pregnant and is willing to wait until next summer to go for a ride with me. Or, I could always have Kingston come up and take her for a ride. That’s something to think about I guess. He needs a good woman in his life and I happen to enjoy Alicia’s company. Maybe he will too. Something to think about and ask Kingston when I talk to him again. I don’t know if Alicia would be comfortable riding with him though since she’s so shy.

My new friend is gorgeous as hell too. She’s my height with long, straight, black hair that shines in the sunlight. It’s so black, there are traces of blue when lights hit her just right. She’s got the largest bright blue eyes I’ve ever seen. They’re almost too large for her small face and make her look even more innocent than she is. Alicia is skinny but dresses in clothes that are way too big for her body. Even today when it’s hot as fuck out, she’s wearing a hoodie that she keeps tucking her hands into. Instead of wearing shorts or jeans like most other girls on campus today, Alicia is wearing a pair of sweatpants. I honestly can’t blame her because she looks comfortable as fuck and that’s always important in my books. Alicia and I exchanged numbers before we parted ways for the day. We plan on studying together and working on a few of the projects that will be done with partners as well. So far, I already like this school so much better than my previous one.

During the entire ride back to the clubhouse, which honestly isn’t that long of a trip, my thoughts have been consumed by how my first day went. Before I know it, I’m pulling back into the compound and parking the SUV back where I got it from this morning. Grabbing all of my stuff, I head inside to find the common room empty. I didn’t even remember to call Reagan on my way home.

I head straight for the kitchen to grab something to eat before dinner. I’m actually hungry and I’m going to take advantage of wanting to eat. It doesn’t happen very often so I want to make sure to eat when my body tells me it’s hungry. Dropping my bag on one of the tables, I head for the refrigerator to see if there’s any leftover pizza still. When I don’t see any, I grab what I need to make a sub before grabbing a bottle of apple juice that Jameson made sure to keep stocked for me. When I’m not drinking ginger ale, I’ve got apple juice with me. I’ve never been a huge fan of apple juice, but these babies sure as hell are.

As I make my sub at the island, I watch as one of the Fallen girls makes her way in the kitchen. She’s glaring at me as she steps up in front of me and places her hands in front of her on the countertop.

“So, I’m sure you’re really fucking proud of yourself right now. Aren’t ya, you fucking skank?” she questions me, her voice hard and cold as she looks me up and down before meeting my eyes once again.

“I’m always proud of myself. What are you talking about? If I know, I can tell you exactly how proud of myself I am,” I tell her, already knowing exactly what this bitch is talking about.

I’ve seen her around the clubhouse with the bitch who got kicked out. They were always together, talking shit and not doing the work they were supposed to be doing. The two of them were always up to something and I know it’s just a matter of time before she’s the next one kicked out of the club because she’s a manipulative bitch just like her friend. She doesn’t think I realize exactly what she’s doing, but I’m smarter than she is and that won’t fucking change.

“It’s because of you that Nails got kicked out of the club. If you hadn’t shown up, she’d still be here and in Savage’s bed where she belongs. Now, she’s been kicked out and no other club will accept her. Reaper made sure to alert everyone about her and what she was supposedly doing. It’s all fucking lies you made up because you’re so completely insecure in your relationship with Savage and know you’ll never be able to keep a man like him,” she states, pushing her hip out as she removes her hands from the counter and glares at me like the bitch she is.

“I didn’t do a fucking thing to get that slut kicked out of the club. It was because of her actions. The same actions I can see you doing next and getting kicked out of the club the same as your friend. Then you can join her wherever she ended up and live happily ever after,” I tell her, finishing putting my sub together and gathering everything to put back in the refrigerator.

“Again with the fucking lies!” she screams out, her voice grating on my nerves even more than her friends did. She’s literally reaching a volume only dogs can hear which I would normally find impressive if it weren’t for the fact that it’s aimed at me.

“I’m not lying at all. You don’t clean or do anything to help Rebel or the members out. All day long you sit on your ass and expect everyone to wait on you hand and foot. Do you honestly know what it means to be part of a club?” I ask her, not bothering to wait for an answer from her because I already know she doesn’t have the first clue. “Everyone has a role to play in the club. We’re all part of the hierarchy and no one gets away with not doing a fucking thing here. The members all work, go on runs, and make sure everyone in the club is safe and protected at all times.

“Prospects are here to learn what it means to be a member of the club while doing shit jobs to prove they’re willing to get their hands dirty in the name of the club. They are also the first defense of the club if you think about it because it’s always a Prospect that’s on the gate. Rebel works the bar so the Prospects don’t have to. She makes sure everything is clean, working right, stocked, and everything else she needs to do for the club. The ol’ ladies are here to support their men and take care of everyone when we go on lockdown. We cook, clean, organize events, show our faces in the community, and so much more.

“Finally, we have the Fallen girls. It’s your job to clean the clubhouse, be there for the guys when they come to you for sex, and help out the ol’ ladies. You’re at the bottom of the fucking totem pole and you’ll never rise above it. Now, you can either accept your role in the club or you can get the fuck out of here before you get kicked out because you’re a lazy, manipulative bitch who doesn’t believe she has to follow the rules of the club. That’s on you and only you. Just like it was on Nails. She was forcing herself on a man who didn’t want her. No one will ever accept that shit in a club. I know that for a fact since I grew up in one. If you truly want to remain with the Fallen Brethren, I suggest you fucking pull your head out of your ass and change your ways.”

“You’re not even an ol’ lady. So, at the end of the day, I outrank you. Now, I suggest you get the fuck out of here before we all decide to make your life a living hell. We can ensure no one knows about it and you’re a good girl who won’t tell anyone because of your so-called upbringing. The decision is yours to make,” she tries again, taunting me with words she thinks will hurt me. “I won’t ever clean up after the assholes who live here. They’re disgusting pigs and the only reason I’m here is for the free cock that’s mediocre at best and a roof over my head. The food I don’t have to cook doesn’t hurt either.”

“I might not be an ol’ lady of the club, but I still outrank you. I always will because I’m carrying Jameson’s babies. And, just so you know, everyone who has access to the cameras now knows exactly how you feel about being here. That’s how your fucking friend got caught and kicked out. It seems as if you’re simply going to follow in her footsteps. Good luck with that shit,” I tell her, grabbing my sub, a bag of chips, and my juice before leaving the kitchen.

I grab my bag on the way out and head straight for the room I share with Jameson. After this latest run-in with a Fallen girl, I don’t want to see anyone else. For now, I want to be alone and wait for Jameson to get back. Plus, it will give me a chance to start my reading for class so I’m ahead of the game. I want to be as far ahead as possible in every class I have over the summer in case something happens and I need to take some time off because of the babies. The school already knows I’ll be switching to online classes once I deliver the twins until I’m ready to come back to class. They’ve approved everything for me and are willing to work with me on everything. This school is definitely so much better than my last one. I’m glad I moved to Clinton City and am starting fresh once again.