Holding On (17 page)

“
Well, as you know I was
pissed as all hell at you for ruining my time with
Ace….”

I cut her off cause I see where she’s
headed; I owe her a half apology.  I’m not telling her I’m
sorry for ruining the moment with Ace, but I was probably a little
over the top.

“
In your car Sade, I
didn’t interrupt some romantic gathering so stop with those angry
eyes you are pulling at me.  I did it only because I was
thinking of you and how your decision to sleep with him would
affect you, later.”

“
Yes, yes I know.  I
am thankful for you stopping that, but I was so pissed at you
before I found Hem that night.”

She continues and I’m
hanging on every word.  “After I left you and stormed into the
Club, I was so angry at everyone.  When I walked inside I saw
that Hem was sitting on a bar stool with Cherry on his lap and
right away he noticed my mood.  I froze because I was certain
I could not handle watching him with Cherry after you had just lost
my chance with Ace.  I started to turn around and head back
out the door, Hem yelled for me. Of course I ignored him and kept
walking back outside but you know Hem, never to be ignored. He
started yelling louder, repeating for me to stop moving.  So,
sucking it up I turned to find him lifting Cherry from his lap and
then he whispered something in her ear.  She looked at me and
frowned but left the room alone.  Then he walked up to me and
had asked if I was okay. He looked so thoughtful and gentle. He
wasn’t the MC Hem, he was the teenage Hem. I told him what I was up
to that night with Ace.  I didn’t even censor it, Mace.
 I laid it on heavy too, I had his attention for the first
time in a long time so I just let it all go. Even told him how wet
my panties were just thinking about having sex with Ace. He did not
like it, oh my God Mace I thought he was going to spring a leak.
His face got all scrunched up and red. That vein he has at his
temple was throbbing and his jaw was ticking, hard. But I knew he
didn’t want me like that so what did it matter to him, right? Let
him be pissed about a man touching me, he only thinks of me like a
little sister anyway.”

I nod in agreement but say
nothing because I want her to finish.  “Anyway, before I know
what is happening he steps back from me a bit and he grabs my arm
and pulls me outside and dismisses the brothers that are lingering
around.  They scatter in fear of course because Hem looks
enraged.  He pulls me to him and Mace and I’m telling you
right now I will never forget that kiss.  I felt like I was
his whiskey and he hadn’t had a drink in weeks.  I know that
sounds corny but there is just no other way to describe it. Then he
asked me if I had really thought about losing my virginity and he
wanted to be sure I thought I was ready.  When I said yes I
wanted to lose it and I was willing to lose it to Ace, he told me
that no one was going to give me that, but him.”  She’s
looking down at her drink in memory, it is so sweet.
 

“
So, then you went back to
our place and did the deed?”  

Rolling her eyes she
answers me curtly, “Mace, it wasn’t even like that. Sure, I almost
even thought that this was going to be just Hem doing me some
favor, as if he were coming over to fix the stove or something.
Ended up though not being anything that I thought it would be with
him.  I expected a ‘wham bam’ kind of deal but when we got
back to the house, we talked for a bit about the emotional part of
being with someone and how the first time should be special. At one
point I thought he had changed his mind, he was distant and lost in
his own thoughts. Then Hem put on some music, took my hand in his
and asked me to dance with him.  He was seducing me with every
move, Mace.  I will never ever forget holding him while Ed
Sheeran said all the words Hem wasn’t saying.”

“
What was the song?
 Do you remember?”  Nope, not just Hem who is soft and
romantic.   Oh, now look at me being all sappy, still
knowing it was my brother but who can blame me?  Brother or
not, that was an incredible moment for her.

“
Yes, of course I do.
 He played ‘Kiss me’ and I swooned in his arms, Mace.  It
was beautiful.  I knew Hem had a soft heart and gentle soul
but he was more than I could have ever imagined.  We danced
for a while longer then he asked again if I were sure this is what
I wanted and once I reassured him, he picked me up and carried me
to my room and that’s when the most breathtaking moments that I’ve
ever experienced happened.  I’ve never felt that type that
closeness and Mace I’m so so so glad I waited and it was Hem that I
finally gave myself too.  It hurt a bit at first ya know, but
he was very careful with me.  I know you don’t need all the
mechanical details so just know I was handled with care.”
 

She’s lost in thought
again; I can’t imagine a more romantic first time for anyone.
 I’m thankful for my brothers’ sweet nature and his love for
Sadey.  He gave her that, how beautiful.

“
So, then how did you guys
end up staying together that night?  I mean, surely it wasn’t
just assumed right?  Anyone can have sex, so how did it go
after?”  I’m being so nosey but I’m just as caught up in this
as she is now.  It isn’t just the alcohol, I’ve waiting
seriously forever to hear this news and now that I am, I want to
enjoy it with her.

“
So when we finished the
first time, he went to the bathroom and he had left me there.
 I thought for a few minutes maybe he was regretting it and
trying to take some space. When he came back with a warm cloth to
ease my ache and clean me up, I knew I had finally gotten to him.
 I think I finally really have him, Mace.  All the pieces
of us finally clicked together and there we were, in my bed. Large,
tattooed, and heart sick romantic Hem, in my bed. It was so hard to
comprehend, to process.  All I said after was that he could go
and he didn’t have to stay and that he had done what I asked and so
much more.  I thanked him for his gentleness and the fact that
this was something I would always remember, no one would come close
to making me feel this way again. I was honest and told him that he
probably ruined me for my next boyfriend. Told him I knew what I
was doing with him but because of who he was and how he lived, I
wasn’t going to get clingy for him to stay.  Then he said the
words that changed it all.  He had looked down at me from
where he was standing beside my bed and he whispered to me softly,
‘No Sadey Girl, I’m never leaving you again’ and then he came down
on top of me, using his body to get me open for him again.  We
were just getting to another good slice of the evening when you
stormed in and started screaming through the door.”

I have tears in my eyes, I
don’t even care.  We are sitting here sharing with each other
how amazing our lives are and I’m overwhelmed with happiness.
 My cup has runneth over.  

After lunch and hearing
Sadey’s plan for us today I am both nervous and excited.  I
cannot believe she thought of this and I didn’t.  She’s never
one to be this forward and daring in using her body as expression,
but I am and I can’t wait.

We pull up to the tattoo
shop ‘Ink Me’ and both of us stop, look at each other, and bust out
laughing.  We head into the building looking around for
someone we know, we are doing something crazy so having anyone be
witness to this is probably not smart.  

Opening the door I usher
her in before me but since I’m lost in my own giggles I don’t see
her stop in her tracks and in my clumsy slip I run right smack into
her backside.  My giggling comes to an end immediately when I
see what, no that would be who, she’s looking at.  

Shit.

“
Oh yeah, look who the cat
has dragged in now.  Mace and Sadey, well if it isn’t trouble
walking.  This is a pleasant and unexpected visit.  I
just saw Hem and Shame the other night when I stopped by the club
to get my cut. How are you guys?”  Honor says
innocently.

He is one of the new
prospects that Hem has just authorized.  He’s so sweet.
 He has a southern accent so strong that you really have to
listen close or you miss what he’s saying.  He’s all about the
quiet charm.  He’s tall, blue eyed, blondish hair, and has a
clean boy like complexion. Furthermore, he doesn’t look at women
like they are his next meal.  Very courteous and sweet, not
just because we are the old ladies of the club VIP’s but because we
are women.  I cannot even believe we walk in here and bam,
there he is.

“
Ummm, hi Honor. I’m good,
very good.  How are you?  I heard about your acceptance
into Peril, congrats to you.  I didn’t realize you worked here
though.  Are you an artist?”  Sadey sounds cool and
unaffected.  Good damn thing cause I’m about to pee right here
in my spot. How did this just happen?

“
Thanks, Sadey.”  He
lets out a small laugh. “No, I’m not an artist.  I’m a
piercer.  I only work a few days a week when Steph has
something she needs to take off for or an appointment for the
baby.”  

Steph is who we actually
came here to see not Honor, is a friend of ours from high school.
 She knows all of us from the Club too.  She has a new
baby and she’s a single and amazing mom.  Once I thought she
and Honor had a thing.  Maybe they do.  They would be
good together; apparently they carry the same interest of poking
holes through people for cash.  Sadist folk is what they
are.

“
No offense Honor but we
need her, not you.”  Shit, I’m being rude.  

“
I’m sorry; I didn’t mean
it like that!  I’m nervous is all.  We came here to get a
piercing done and I’m more comfortable with Steph inflicting the
pain than anyone else.  When is she due back?”

“
She’s on her way now, and
no I’m not offended.  Since now I’m going to be a prospect I
would rather not suffer at the hands of Hem for hurting his kid
sister anyway.  You can wait here for her though, I like the
company.  It gets too quiet here during this part of the day,
evening and into the night is when it gets rowdy.”
 

Oh he’s so sweet I want to put him in
my pocket and take his sweet ass home for Cherry to meet.
 Yes, I’m growing soft towards the woman.

“
So, what do you want done
and I can write up the order while we wait and have you sign the
release forms and get you out of here faster and on to enjoying
your day.”  

“
Nope, not going there
with you, Honor.  This is not something I want you thinking
about when you look at me, ever.  You’re cute and sweet and I
like you too much to avoid you when I’m done here. Believe me, you
would not ever look at me the same.”  

Sadey is so serious as she says that.
 I let out a sigh because she’s so composed and still, I’m
about to pee!

“
Sadey!  Mace!
 There are my girls.  How’s are things?” Thank God the
cavalry is here.  “I actually have heard how things are but it
is better to hear it firsthand, right?  So dish it, are you
girls really finally with who this town was always certain you
should be with?  Mace, you finally dumped Drip for that
luscious man, Shame?”

I frown in reference to
Greyson.  “Ya know, a lot of women are in mourning this week,
once the news hit the gossip ring ‘Bag and Drag’ sold straight out
of tissues.  Is it really true?”  Steph never was one to
hold back.  I’m fairly sure this tattoo establishment could
give the hair stylist group a run for their money with meddling and
drama.

“
Yepp, I’m with Shame.
 Well, meaning we are together.  We just committed
actually, I cannot even believe the news has traveled that fast.
It’s just been days, what the heck? People must be bored, I’m
pretty sure that my relationship should not be of anyone’s
interest.”

“
Oh huneeee!  Girl,
it isn’t you that we all are fascinated by, I mean sure we all
wondered from time to time what the girl who stole Shame from us
would be like, but being honest we also were well prepared for it
to be you, and you just didn’t see it yourselves yet.”
 

“
It is still new; we are
still working things out.”

I end this conversation so I can get
what I came for and get back to my luscious man before he forgets
about me and changes his mind.  I don’t care for my insecurity
but we’ve just started and already the eagles are circling around
from above waiting for us to fail.  

Sadey pipes up, she’s defending me to
Steph but there is no need.  Steph isn’t like that.
 

“
She and Shame were made
for each other and now they are happy, dare anyone to try and
change that and they will have 60 of the state’s biggest and
angriest bikers knocking on their door. People need to shut up and
mind their own damn business.”

“
Calm down little woman,
I’m with you.  I also hear some congratulations are in order
for you and Hem as well.”  Sadey breaks from her scowl and
smiles softly at Steph.  Damn, the woman is mentally replaying
her and Hem together physically in her head.

“
Okay Steph, so Sadey and
I are here for some body art in form of piercings.  This is
something I don’t want shared outside of us though; Shame and Hem
have no idea that we are even here so can you help?”

“
Absofuckinglutely my
friends!  Let me release Honor, getting his ass outta here and
I will be right back at ya.”  She’s so easy going, I just love
her.

Honor comes back out with a small
grin.  Although he’s my age, he sure looks younger and there’s
a distinct innocence about him.