Sydney's Battle (Reapers Rejects MC: Second Generation Book 1) Page 7

  He tilts his head to the side a bit and focuses on me. “I didn’t see a brush anywhere around, but I can try to get through it if you want, before I let you cut it off.” He cackles at the end which only causes me to smile.

  I nod and walk into the bathroom, looking through the drawers since this apartment is still so new. Mom and Dad bought me quite a few things I already have, but I think they wanted to make me feel so welcome here, like it’s my own. After opening a couple drawers, I find a brush and grab it, then head into the open space living room and kitchen combination. “Sit down on the chair and I’ll try to help you, if you want,” he furrows his brows at my words and gives me a nod, then proceeds to sit down in a chair.

  Once he’s seated, I take a good look at the mop on his head and realize how bad it is. I start at the ends, slowly brushing what I can out, and then go deeper into his hair. He groans and as I go around the side, I spot his visibly clenched jaw. I stop brushing his hair for a moment while I look through the mats, and what I thought was right. They’re down to the scalp. “I think I need to cut it. You have a few mats down to the top of your head,” I press down where his mats are. “Do you feel what I’m doing?” I question him.

  “Yeah,” he replies.

  “Everywhere you feel my fingertips is where there’s a mat, and I won’t be able to get those out without hurting you badly, if I can get them to begin with.”

  He nods, “I see. Guess you’re shavin’ me down then, huh?” Gears looks back at me and shoots me a sweet smile.

  “Yeah. I need to run and go grab some clippers, though. I’ll be back in a little bit. You just stay put.”

  “You don’t have to worry about me runnin’ off, Sydney. I don’t have anywhere to go,” Gears tells me plain as day and I know he doesn’t, but it feels natural to say the things I am. Like I need to tell him to stay here. I bet it’s because I’m worried he’ll go back downstairs when I obviously don’t think he deserves to be treated in such a way.

  I don’t say a word, but I grab my keys and head downstairs, walk out of the barn and get in the driver’s seat of my car. Within a few minutes I’m down at the gate and I spot Poison and Bama on guard duty. Poison leans out of the stand with her long blonde hair blowing in the wind and waves. I come to a stop and roll down my window.

  “Where are you off to again, missy?” Poison prods, while Bama presses the button for the gate to open.

  “Heading into town to grab a couple things I forgot for the new apartment. This time I made a list so I don’t forget anything else.” I nervously laugh, hoping she buys what I’m selling.

  “Oh perfect, I have some stuff I need to get too. Mind if I hitch a ride?” she asks.

  I shrug my shoulders. “Sure, come on.”

  Poison comes around the car and hops in the passenger side. After she’s buckled, I take off and go to the local Wal-Mart. The entire car ride is fine, and we get into the store and do our shopping. I grab the clippers and she eyes me suspiciously. “Shaving your head?”

  “I’ve been thinking about it. I want to try something new, you know?” I’m bullshitting her, but she doesn’t know it. We’re still in the hair dye section so I go over to the vibrant colors and throw two boxes of an eggplant purple in my basket. My hair’s dark enough it won’t look too crazy, but it’ll be a nice change.

  “Oh, that’s dope, girl. Good for you!” Poison pauses for a second. “Mind if I ask you a question?”

  “Go ahead.”

  “What’s going on with your dad and Gears? I heard some of the other prospects talking and I don’t like what’s coming from the rumor mill.” Poison’s honest, but honesty isn’t going to make me like her, or tell her anything.

  “I’m sure you heard everything you need to know,” I comment, not paying much attention to her. I head down the aisle with the toothpaste and grab a pack of toothbrushes and get some new mint flavored whitening toothpaste, chucking both items in my basket.

  “What? Come on, I’m not gonna believe what everyone’s saying. I’d rather hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.”

  I turn and look at her dead in the eyes. “And what is it you expect to be hearing in the first place?”

  “Why you and your dad are arguing, maybe even some of the shit with Gears. Everyone is confused right now.”

  I roll my eyes, already knowing people don’t actually know a damn thing. I suck in a sharp breath and tell her exactly what’s on my mind. “It’s not hard to treat people with dignity, Poison. Not everyone deserves to be treated like a piece of trash and it’s what my dad and I are bumping heads on. Not that it’s any of your business, or anyone else’s. My family problems are my own.” I don’t waver my eyes from hers, making damn sure she knows not to go digging in my personal life again.

  She scoffs and flips her hair back behind her shoulders. “You might be the MC Princess, but why do you think you can talk to me like that? Damn.”

  “You must have some nerve if you think I’m not going to stand up for myself. You’re a prospect, Poison. If by some chance you ever get voted in as a full patch member, my word will always mean more than yours. All I said was for you to back off and stay out of my business, so I’ll say it again, back the fuck off. My problems with my dad are my own, not anyone else’s.”

  “Doom said you were sticking up for the prisoner, so I guess he’s right. You’re getting awfully defensive. Don’t forget Gears is the enemy. The club is your family.” Poison lifts her brows, and I can tell she’s judging me. Guess she doesn’t know I don’t give a damn.

  Rage boils in my blood and I don’t hold back. “No, the enemy is the club he was with.”

  “Shit, Doom’s right. Never thought I’d see the day. Man, you’re lucky your dad is out of town right now.”

  Oh boy, I guess she wants to play some games. “You know what? I think we should finish the rest of our shopping separately. I’ll meet you out front in twenty.” I tell her and walk away without waiting for a response. I head toward the back of the store then go to the left. Little does Poison know I’m only doing a U-turn so I can check out, get in my car, and go back to my apartment. I’ve had enough of her shit and I’m sure she can figure out another way to get back to the club. Whenever I get to the gate, I’ll be honest with Bama and tell her she pissed me off. He can send someone to go grab her, ‘cause I’m sure as fuck not letting her ride in my car. Not with the way she was speaking to me.

  I know Dad’s out on a run out east today, but I don’t know anything about the details. He never tells me, then again, I don’t go around asking either. Unlike Poison, I know when something isn’t any of my business.

  I drive around town for a few minutes and end up stopping at a men’s clothing store. I grab more shirts, some tank tops, and guess on jeans and shoe sizes. By the time I’m done I’ve spent over three-hundred bucks and I don’t even know if the pants or shoes will fit. Whatever, if not we can exchange them. I heard if you compare a man’s shoe to his dick it’ll be close, so that’s how I shopped for shoes. I don’t know if I’m right, but I got him eleven’s.

  Another ten minutes pass and I’m pulling back up to the barn. When I told Bama what Poison did, he laughed his ass off and then said he’d get someone to get her, but I don’t care if she has to walk home. She needs to respect my position in the club.

  I get out of my car, grab my bags and walk inside the barn. I proceed to go up the stairs and head into my apartment. The second Gears sees me he jumps up from the couch and rushes over but tumbles slightly. I set my bags down on the floor. “You okay?”

  He nods, but I’m not buying it. “Yeah, just a little dizzy.”

  “Okay, let me sit down and get you something to eat. I’ll cut your hair after.”

  He gives me an aggravated look, but I know it’s not me he’s aggravated with. He walks over to the chair he was sitting in earlier, and I shuffle through the pantry, eventually finding peanut butter crackers. I give him the pack and he starts eating them almost imme
diately. As he’s chewing, he speaks up. “So, you buy a whole store or something?”

  “No, just got you a couple more things. Though, I had to guess your jeans and shoe sizes. I wasn’t really sure, but I might have your shoes right since I compared them to you—” I stop as he turns around and looks at me. He’s obviously amused.

  Gears cocks both his brows, “Please, go on and tell me what you compared them to.”

  I swallow hard and heat rushes through my cheeks. “I might’ve saw your um,” I glance down, “shlong in the shower when I put the bag in there. I wasn’t trying to look, you were facing the door and I . . . fuck.” I shake my head and cover my eyes. Meanwhile, Gears is getting a kick out of this.

  “Shit, you got a show and didn’t even pay, huh?” He’s enjoying teasing me right now and it’s obvious, but he’s giving me a good idea.

  “How about after your haircut and after you decide what to do with that hairy bush on your face, I sneak you outta here? We can go grab dinner and then I’ll bring you back?” I hope he says yes. I know a way to get off the property without anyone finding out, so the chances of being caught are slim to none.

  I anxiously await his answer, but silence fills the room and my stomach knots up. I’m worried he’s going to say no, and I’d kill to have more alone time with him.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gears

  She can’t be serious. At least, I don’t think she is. I wait a few moments for her to laugh or give me some sort of indication this is a joke, but she doesn’t. “You’re bein’ serious right now?” I ask her while cocking a brow.

  Immediately, she nods. “Uh, yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Because it’s a god-awful idea. Your father won’t be pleased.” I’m simply stating the facts and I know she doesn’t want to hear it.

  “Do I look like the type of woman who does everything her father wants?” She shouldn’t have asked that question.

  I look her up and down. Instead of answering, I ask her a question, “Do you really want me to answer?”

  Sydney smacks me on the arm playfully before her face freezes over. She’s obviously terrified, so I smile lightly at her. “It’s alright. I’m not going to break apart, you know.”

  She stifles a laugh and nods. “Yeah, sorry, I just—I got worried. I mean, you’ve been through a lot and me hitting you just . . . I’m sorry.”

  “Sydney, relax. You’re getting your panties in a twist for nothin’,” I tell her and she shrugs her shoulders.

  “Whatever, I’m only trying to be considerate. If you don’t wanna go out and have dinner with me, you don’t have to.”

  Fuck. “Dammit, I didn’t say that. I’d love to go have a good meal with ya. It’s been a hell of a long time since I had one, honestly. But I sure as hell don’t wanna look like this.” I grab a tuft of my hair and Sydney snorts.

  “Alright, let me get your hair cut and we’ll go get some grub.”

  “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.” I smile from ear to ear, cautiously enjoying the last twenty-four hours of my life. It’s been nice to be able to take a shower, sleep on something where my back isn’t digging into a piece of wood, even to have a blanket and fresh clothes provided to me. The fact of the matter is I know this will change. I won’t be able to live like this for much longer. Sure as hell not when Zane finds out what his baby girl has been doin’.

  Sydney starts yammerin’ out orders and I listen up. At my age, I know not to listen to women. They’ll fuckin’ gut you for even lookin’ at ‘em wrong. The woman has to be half my age, but I’m not stupid.

  I sit back and relax as she cuts my hair and by the time she’s done, I have a military-style buzz cut. I run a hand over my hair, and it feels pretty damn good if you ask me. Within a matter of twenty minutes, we’re both headin’ down the stairwell into the bottom of the barn, go through the door, and I’m in the passenger seat of her car. Holy fuck, this is crazy.

  She turns on her headlights, throws the car in reverse, and then puts it back in drive. We drive for a while and then she turns off her lights and whatnot, makes a sharp left and we’re heading down some sorta dark tree-lined tunnel. “Wanna tell me what the hell this is?” I ask in the midst of the silence.

  “C’mon, Gears. I’ve grown up here my entire life. You didn’t honestly expect we’d take the guarded way in and out of here, did you?” While I can’t see her face, the tone of her voice is sassy as can be. I lean back a bit more in the passenger seat and figure she knows what she’s doin’.

  “Alrighty, you’re bein’ a hell of a smart cookie about this.”

  “Damn straight I am. What do you want to eat? Considering you haven’t had a decent meal in a while, I think it would be kind of me to let you choose.” She chuckles at the end and while she can’t see me, I’m smilin’.

  “I’d kill for a good burger and shake right about now.”

  “Your wish is my command.” Sydney flips on the lights out of nowhere and turns out onto the interstate. Shit, I didn’t realize they had another entrance onto their property. Then again, I bet no one else knows either.

  It takes us ten minutes to get to a small, 50s style diner right on the main road and Sydney pulls around the side and parks her car. I don’t miss what she’s doin’. She is purposefully not parkin’ under the lights. I bet she’s afraid of getting caught out here with me.

  As we get out of her car, I sense what I’m thinkin’ is right. She’s lookin’ around us. We head in through the entrance of the diner. Even as the hostess asks if it’s just the two of us, she doesn’t answer her.

  “Yes, just the two of us,” I tell the waitress. She smiles sweetly at me and grabs two menus, then leads us across the checkered tile floor to a booth in the back of the diner. I figured it would be somewhat packed in here, given what time it is. Then again, people could be eating dinner in their own homes.

  I slide in the fire-engine red booth and Sydney slides in across from me. “Marcy will be over in a few minutes to take your order. Until then, what would you like to drink? I’ll put it in the computer for the two of ya.”

  “I’ll take a chocolate shake, and let’s get her a strawberry,” I order for Sydney, hopin’ she doesn’t mind. The hostess nods and walks off. Meanwhile, Sydney smirks at me. “You don’t hate strawberry, do ya?”

  “No, it’s my favorite.” Sydney snickers and licks her lips in an attempt to hide her smile.

  Over the course of the next few minutes, Marcy introduces herself and we put in our order. I order a bacon cheeseburger and Sydney gets a marinated chicken club kinda thing.

  “How does it feel to be out here?” Sydney asks before she grabs onto her milkshake and takes a sip.

  I suck in a deep breath and lean back against the booth, crossing my arms. “Odd. I don’t know how to explain it. How does it make you feel that we’re out here?” I wave my finger around.

  She smirks, but her expression quickly shifts. “It’s nerve-wracking. I’m a bit worried if the wrong person sees us, I’ll get into some deep shit, but if you ask me, I think you deserve to have a good night.”

  “You mean another good night.” I correct her. Sydney furrows her brows at me. “This would be my second night.”

  “Seriously? You got punched in the face last night. How could it be a good night?” She doesn’t get it.

  “Ever since then, I’ve had fresh clothes, a shower, a haircut and shave down, and some good rest. Not to mention I’ve been accompanied by a beautiful woman.”

  A rose color quickly tints Sydney’s cheeks at my compliment. She probably doesn’t even realize I’m flirting with her a bit. Marcy brings our food out to us and over the next few minutes, we eat in silence.

  I clear my throat, wantin’ to ask her about somethin’ I noticed. “I couldn’t help but notice the room you have with all the equipment.” The door was open, so if she was tryin’ to keep it secret, she did a bad job.

  “Oh, yeah, that’s my studio. Eventually, I’ll actu
ally write some music in there.” Sydney comments and I don’t miss the sparkle in her eyes. I thought I heard her singin’ a little bit before, but now I know for a fact.

  “What do you sing?” I ask before takin’ a bite of my burger.

  “Everything, I guess? I play a wide array of instruments too, but that’s thanks to my birth mom. She enlisted me in classes when I was a kid. I guess she needed someplace to send me while she was doing her stuff.”

  “Doin’ stuff?”

  “My birth mom was a clubwhore. I’ll sum up my story for you. My birth mom was a clubwhore and my birth dad was a biker, and little old me was an accident. She kept me, he was around kinda, but they weren’t in a relationship or anything. I don’t have many memories of him ‘cause I was so young. Then my birth mom went on to date Fist, and—”

  “Whoa. Hold up. The Prez, Fist?” I question, in a bit of shock.

  “Yep. It’s how I ended up being adopted by my dad, I guess,” she murmurs lightly. I don’t know what she’s eluding to, but I won’t pry.

  “So, have you written any songs?”

  Her mood shifts and she smiles again. “Yeah, but I want things to be perfect before I even move forward with anything. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, but you don’t know that yet.”

  “There’s nothin’ wrong with wantin’ your stuff to be good. It’s admirable,” I tell her and she takes another sip of her milkshake.

  “Thank you.”

  “Before I forget, thank you for bringin’ me out here. But I’d love to hear you some time if you’d want me to.” Seriously, this cheeseburger could be the best one I’ve had in my entire life.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  “I did, thank you. This wasn’t something you needed to do, and I want you to know I’m very appreciative.”

  “I know I don’t need to, but I wanted to.” Her eyes lock with mine for a few moments and we both end up smiling.

  Marcy comes back over to the table and Sydney pays the bill, which fucks with me so hard. As soon as I’m able to repay her for this, I will. Sydney and I leave the diner, and she drives us back to the apartment. She took the same way we came in and halfway down the lane, she turned her lights off again.