Renegade Lady (4 page)

It took some getting used to at first, because I’d never had a true home or a place where I felt that I was wanted.  It was all so new to me, and in the beginning, I was convinced that it would all come crashing down at any given time.  I was scared to death of all of the bikers, because something inside of me just knew that one of them would try to hurt me. But the truth of the matter is that no one ever did. In fact, Chipper’s younger brother, Kidd, has even become one of my best friends. 

Kidd was there when I first arrived, and he has made a point to come over to Chipper and Mindy’s nearly every day since.   I may be only sixteen, but I’m not blind. That man is just… wow.  He has dark blonde hair and clear blue eyes, pretty much every girl’s dream. He may be nearly ten years older than me, but there’s something about him; something different from all of the rest. Just being around him puts my nerves at ease.

Last night, I finally told Mindy that I had a big ol’ crush on Kidd, which is something I thought would never happen after what Timmons did to me.  I thought she would be shocked or even a little mad, maybe even scream at me for falling for a twenty-six year old man, but she didn’t.  All she said was that I had to wait till I turned eighteen before I even thought about being with him. 

Mindy told me all about Kidd; how he stepped up and took Chipper’s place as VP.  Chipper is seven years older than Kidd, so everyone always assumed he’d take Gun’s place as president when the time came.  Mindy says that Chipper stepped down to spend more time with her.  I think there’s more to it than that, but I don’t know what yet, and honestly, it’s none of my business. 

I’m still thinking about Kidd when Mindy walks into the kitchen and pulls me out of my thoughts.  She smiles as soon as she sees me, but her smile doesn’t fully reach her eyes.  I can tell she isn’t feeling well again today.  “Hey, sweetie.  You want some breakfast?”

I shake my head.  “Nah. I’m not hungry.”

She walks over to me and pushes the hair from my face.  “If you’re not hungry, why are you sitting in the kitchen?”

“I got up, and you were still sleeping.  I figured I’d sit in here until you woke up.  I didn’t want to turn on the TV and disturb you.” I shrug, not wanting to tell her that I heard her getting sick last night, and I knew she needed to get all the rest she could.  She also needs to get to the doctor, but there’s no damn way I’m going to say that.  I’ve heard her and Chipper fighting over going to the doctor too many times. 

He wants her to see someone, someone that knows a little more than the quack at the clinic in town, but she refuses. She says that if something was really wrong with her, then her doctor would have figured it out by now.  Mindy is a smart woman, but I’m siding with Chipper on this one. I’m just too nervous to voice my opinion about it.

She bends down and places a soft kiss on my cheek.  “That was sweet of you, but you could’ve turned on the TV.  I can sleep through anything. It wouldn’t have bothered me.”

I smile back and stand up.  “Do you want me to make you some breakfast?”

She shakes her head.  “No, I’m the mom here, remember? I’m the one that cooks.”

“I made my mom breakfast a bunch of times.”

Her brows tighten and anger flashes in her eyes.  “I know you did, but that’s not happening here.”

Mindy was not at all happy when I told her about my mom.  She didn’t like that Mom had me do all the cooking and cleaning around the house.  I tried to explain that my mom just didn’t feel good most of the time, and it wasn’t her fault, but Mindy refused to listen.   Ready to change the subject, I smile.  “Fine, Mom.  What do you want to do today?”

A smile flashes across her face as soon as I say mom.  She loves when I call her that.  At first, it felt kind of foolish to be calling a woman I’ve only know for a little while Mom. She seems to like it though, and she’s been a way better mother to me than mine ever thought about being. 

“Why don’t you go watch some TV?  I’m going to stick a pot roast in the crock pot for dinner tonight, and then we can veg out on the sofa.”

I smile and place a kiss on her flushed cheek.  “Sounds good to me,” I say as I make my way to the living room. 

Kidd

I walk into Chipper and Mindy’s and see Jenna sitting on the sofa watching TV.  I smile as soon as I lay eyes on her.  I can’t seem to stay away from the kid.  She just draws me to her in a way that I don’t really understand.  She’s a pretty little thing. You can see she’s going to be a beautiful lady someday.  She’s got shoulder length black hair that sometimes looks blue in the right light, and she has the biggest eyes that I’ve ever seen.   They’re the color of freshly brewed coffee and look a little too big for her face.  Her body is long and lean.  She’s the tallest sixteen year old girl I’ve ever seen.  Even so, there’s no denying she’s just a kid.  There isn’t a womanly curve on her body.  How some sick fucker could touch her, I’ll never know, but I can guarantee that it won’t happen again.

Jenna’s still quiet most of the time.  Who wouldn’t be after what she’s been though?   But when you get her to open up she’s funny as hell.  Her laugh, I swear, I’ve never heard anything more beautiful in my life.  I’ve never had a little sister, but I think if I did, she’d be just like Jenna.  “What’cha watching, kiddo?”

Her whole face lights up when she sees me.  “Charmed. Cole is like such a babe. You want to watch with me? I’m a girl and all, but even I think Phoebe is pretty hot.”

I shake my head and shoot her a smile.  “I don’t think so.  I was hoping you might want to go for a ride.”

“Yes!” she shrieks before jumping up and running towards her room.  Within seconds, she’s back, carrying her shoes in one hand and her jacket in the other.  “I’m ready.”

I laugh before answering.  “Don’t you think your shoes would work better if you put them on your feet?”

She smiles again and places her shoes on the floor.  She quickly pulls them on her feet then stands back up.  “Now, I’m ready.”

Before I can respond, Mindy walks out of the kitchen.  “Where are you two going?”

I walk over to my sister-in-law and place a soft kiss on her forehead.  “I figured I’d take the kid out for a ride, maybe go over to Drexel and grab some lunch.”

“Hey, I’m not a kid.” Jenna shouts from behind me as she walks closer to us.  “I’m almost seventeen.”

Mindy laughs at Jenna before responding.  “You’ll be seventeen in four months.”

“Like, I said, I’m almost seventeen,” Jenna says with a smile.

Mindy and I both look at her and laugh at the same time.  By the time we’re finished, Jenna’s face is red.    I can’t tell if it’s from anger or embarrassment.  Either way, I can tell it’s time to hit the road.  I reach out and curl my hand around her neck and pull her towards me.  “Come on, Jenna.  Let’s get going.”

Before we walk out the door, I have to listen to Mindy’s rules.  Jenna better be wearing a helmet, I better not go over the speed limit, and I have to have her home before dark.   I guess I’m not the only one that’s grown attached
to the girl. 

After promising Mindy that I’ll keep her girl safe, Jenna and I jump on my bike and make it to Drexel in less than an hour.  As we walk towards Mimi’s café, I hear Jenna’s stomach growl.  I chuckle and look down to her.  “You hungry, girl?”

She smiles.  “I wasn’t, but I am now.”

I wrap my arm around her shoulders and lead her into Mimi’s.  “That’s good, cause this place has the best damn food I’ve ever ate.”

“I thought you said that Mindy made the best food you’ve ever ate?” she asks with a giggle.

“Well, I did.  As far as Mindy will ever know, it is.  If she thinks I’ve been bragging on someone else’s cooking, she may stop inviting me over for dinner every night.”

Jenna swings her hip into my leg, giving me a little nudge.  “I won’t tell her that you said her cooking sucked.”

I step back and put my hands up in front of me.  “Hey, now.  I didn’t say that.”

She giggles again and walks to a table.  “Since you’re nice enough to bring me to eat the best food ever, I won’t rat you out.”

I chuckle as I join her at the table.  As soon as I sit down, a cute little brunette walks up to the table.  “Hey, guys.  What can I get you get you two?”

Jenna starts to look through her menu, but I jerk it away from her and hand it to the waitress.  “Give us two country fried steaks with mashed potatoes and gravy.  Oh, add two sweet teas too.”

“Alright, I’ll be back with your drinks,” she quips before bouncing back to where she came from.

I watch the waitress wiggle her tight little ass as she walks away, and for a brief moment, I wish that I hadn’t brought Jenna with me. 

“I wanted a burger.”

I jerk my eyes towards Jenna, and thoughts of the waitress and her sweet ass fade away.  “You don’t come to Mimi’s for a burger. You come for her country fried steak.”

Jenna’s eyes narrow in my direction as she places her hands flat on the table and leans towards me.  “But, I wanted a burger, onions rings, and a big ol’ chocolate milk shake.”

“Too bad.  I’m buying, so I get to order you whatever the hell I want to.”

“Fine, but it better be good,” she says before sticking her tongue out at me. 

Within minutes, our food is on the table and we’re devouring it.   When I notice that Jenna’s plate is nearly empty, I shoot her a big smile.  “You still wanting that burger?”

She shakes her head and smiles.  “Nope, but I could still use a chocolate milk shake.”

I look back to her empty plate that just moments ago held enough food to feed a small army then throw my head back and laugh. 

“You eat any more and you’ll bust a gut,” I say as I stand up and reach inside my jeans.  I throw some cash on the table and motion for Jenna to follow me.  “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

CHAPTER Four

Jenna

I’m standing in front of my mirror, putting on make-up and thinking about Kidd. He’s taken me riding a few times over the last couple of weeks.  Spending time with Kidd is awesome.  I have so much fun; more fun than I’ve ever had before.  We don’t do much other than go out to eat and ride around town on his bike, but it is still a blast.  Just being with him is amazing.  I only wish that he’d quit looking at me like a kid and see me for the woman I am.  I know that most people wouldn’t consider a sixteen year old a woman, but I figure I’ve been through more than most grown-ups ever have. 

I’ve just finished putting on my lipstick when Chipper walks into my room.  “Are you ready yet?”

I lay my make-up bag on my dresser and turn to him.  “I sure am.”

We’re heading over to the club house for their annual Easter egg hunt.  When Mindy first told me about it, I was shocked.  As far as I know, my Dad’s club never did anything with the families of their members, but Mindy says the Renegade Sons always make time for their families.  They do Christmas parties, Thanksgiving dinners, Fourth of July cook outs, and even let the kids come to the clubhouse to trick-or-treat.

Chipper looks up and down my body, and then narrows his eyes at me.  “Where the hell is the rest of your dress?”

I look down at my skirt and shake my head. What? I’m wearing a blue skirt that stops right above my knees and a white sweater that’s covered with small blue flowers. “What’s wrong with my skirt?”

“There’s nothing wrong with your skirt, hon.” Mindy says, as she walks into the room. 

He turns to her and points to my legs.  “It damn near shows her ass.”

She giggles back at his frustrated face, sounding like a school girl.  “No, Dad.  It doesn’t.”

Chipper starts to argue more, but Mindy narrows her eyes and quickly cuts him off.  “She looks pretty as a picture, doesn’t she?”

He stares at Mindy for a few more seconds then turns back to me and pastes on a fake smile. “She sure does.”

“Then that’s all that matters. Our girl sure is a beauty, huh?”

Mindy walks over to me, grabs my hand, and leads me from the room.  Chipper follows begrudgingly behind us, mumbling about his little girl flashing her legs.  I look towards Mindy and see a smile cross her face.  She leans towards me and whispers, “Don’t worry about him. He’s just worried that some of the guys will notice how beautiful you are, but you could be wearing his old Iron Maiden tee-shirt with baggy jeans, and they’d still notice you.”

I smile back at her then walk towards the door, not caring if any of the guys at the club look at me; which is a bold face lie, because I’m secretly hoping that Kidd notices me. 

During the ride to the clubhouse, I imagine what his face will look like when he sees me.  I know I might not compare to the other women in his life, but I think I look pretty exceptional today.  I hope he thinks so too.

As soon as I get out of the car, I see Kidd.  He’s sitting at one of the picnic tables with a blonde chick straddling his lap.  Seeing him with her brings a rush of tears to my eyes.  I turn away, hoping to wipe the evidence of my hurt away before anyone notices, but I know that I failed when I feel Mindy slide her arm around me.  “Don’t let them see you cry, sweet pea.  Wipe your eyes, put a smile on that pretty face of yours, and pretend it doesn’t matter.”