The driver’s side door swings open, and he folds in. “Let’s have it. Make it good. I gave you enough time to come up with a good lie.”
“I’m not feeding you a lie. I was riding to school with Sheena, and we got into an argument. I heard something about her boyfriend, so I told her, and she got mad at me and accused me of trying to ruin her relationship because Brodix and I broke up. She kept calling me a liar, so I had her drop me here. I figured you’d drive me to school.”
“Shit. Do I look like I was born yesterday? Tell me the truth.”
“You want me to tell Mom you smoke weed around me?” I raise my brow as he mutters under his breath.
“Guess this will be staying between us then.” He shakes his head and drives me to school after I talk him into hitting a drive-thru and treating me to breakfast and an iced coffee.
Before we get to my school, he starts in with the whole dad type life stuff. I try not to get upset because I know when he has these chats with me it’s only because he cares. Which is more than I can say for my actual father.
“I don’t know why you were at the clubhouse today. I know you’re eighteen and you’re growing up. Not much I can do to stop that, but I want you to be smart and I want you to be careful. You’ll be graduating soon and going off into the world. I want you to get out of this town. To get into a decent college and make something of yourself. Don’t fall into the trap my sister did. I know she doesn’t regret you girls but life woulda been easier on all of you had she picked a better man and waited to start growing up too damn fast.”
“I’m on birth control,” I blurt the words out and his face grows red hot like steam is going to shoot out the man’s ears.
“I don’t need to know this shit.”
“I know but I want you to know that I’m being smart. I’m being careful. I’ve not…I’m still a virgin so don’t worry so much about me.”
“Fucking hell. Kimber Marie. I don’t want you telling that shit. Not to me. Especially not to the brothers of my club. Like dangling a fucking carrot at them. God damn it. I’m banning you from the clubhouse and buying you one of those damn chastity belts. Fuck. I did not want to know this information.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t talk to Mom about any of it. She gets all weird and clams up like talking about sex and boys is dirty and shameful.”
“When a man and woman really love each other it’s a beautiful thing.”
“Then why did you cheat on Pam? You really love her, and you did what you did.”
“Jesus. It’s too damn early for this shit. I’m not cut out for it.”
“Why do you guys like club sluts? I mean you had Pam. You have her now too, but why do men always want something better? The next best thing.”
“Are we really talking about me and Pam or is this about something else?”
I could keep lying to him or I could put it all out there.
“You know that I like Navarro. I came to the clubhouse today because I wanted to give him a picture. One of mine that I had taken of him.”
“Wasn’t a fucking nude portrait or some shit, was it?”
“What? No. I mean he had his shirt off. That’s not that point. I saw him with Bambi. Like saw him saw him with her.”
“God damn it.” He thumps the steering wheel.
“Don’t get mad at him. He didn’t know I was coming. He didn’t ask me to either. I just did it. You can be mad at me for it, but I think what I walked in on was punishment enough.”
“Sorry you had to see that. This mean you’re done chasing after someone who is too damn old for you?”
“I mean, I guess. Though Viking is kinda hot. I’m just saying.” I grin and this time he beats his head on the wheel.
“Go to fuckin’ class. Stay away from my club brothers.”
“I can’t make that promise,” I shout as I get out of the vehicle and dart toward the building before he decides to change his mind about telling Mom I was at the clubhouse today.
The school day passes uneventfully. I don’t get any more text from Viking nor do I hear anything from Nav. I can’t believe it’s over before we ever had a chance to really get started. I didn’t get to talk to Sheena at lunch because Brodix has banned me from sitting at their lunch table. It’s fine. I don’t want to sit next to his lying stupid ass anyway. I don’t want to share the same air as him. So when school ends and he’s standing at my locker holding a bouquet of roses I’m seriously confused.
“Um, what are you doing?”
“I owe you an apology. I’m sorry I made up rumors about you. I’m sorry I was an asshole. It won’t happen again. Will you forgive me?”
“Seriously?”
“I know I was a dick. It wasn’t cool. I legit fucked things up with you. You don’t owe me a second chance, but I’d like to make it up to you. Let me take you out tonight. We can go to the movies. I swear I won’t try anything. I won’t even kiss you unless you want me to.”
“I don’t know what to say to that.”
“Don’t say anything. Just be ready to go out. I’ll pick you up at seven and I’ll take you straight home after the movie.”
“Drive me home?”
“Yeah. Right now?”
“Uh yeah. That’s kind of where I go when school ends unless my mom asks me to come to the daycare for whatever reason.”
“Okay.” He reaches for my hand with one hand while balancing my flowers with his other. I should tell him to piss off, but at least he’s making an effort. He apologized. He got me flowers. It’s more than I can say for Nav. And I didn’t catch Brodix with some other chick. Plus, I kinda need a date for the snowball dance that’s coming up.
I’m pretty sure if I brought someone like Viking the school would call the police.