Chapter 6
Tanner
This is a bad idea.
“Are you sure?” I ask Dani as I chew on my thumbnail.
“Positive. He’s got you locked up in this apartment like you’re Rapunzel or some shit,” she says as she swings open my closet door.
“He made it pretty clear he didn’t want me to come to the clubhouse. Like ever.” I pull my thumb down and cross my legs on my bed.
I have been here for a month. The only thing I do is go to school or go eat with Dani. I hang out with Travis sometimes when he decides to grace me with his presence. I don’t want to complain, but I do hate when he’s not here. At least I had a roommate at school. Even if she did collect dead spiders for her “potions” and whispered weird spells at odd hours of the night. At least I wasn’t alone. Sometimes Dani stays over, but it’s usually only when Travis is gone.
“You are coming to the party. It’s a big family event,” she says as she digs through my clothes.
I sigh, I mean what do I have to lose? Travis will just tell me to leave, and I will.
“Fine.” I huff. “I’ve never been to a party…” I mumble.
“Excuse me?” She turns with a raised eyebrow.
“Dani, quick refresher. I’ve been in a Catholic boarding school for my entire teenage life.”
She blinks. “So you’ve never drank alcohol?”
“No. Well I mean; I do communion but that doesn’t really count.”
“Have you ever kissed a boy?” She walks over to my bed.
My cheeks flush with embarrassment. “No.” I whisper.
I mean, I did kiss Channing Tatum in a dream once, but that also doesn’t count. God, I’m a loser.
“T don’t be embarrassed. This is going to be so fun.” A grin spreads across her pretty face as she pulls me up from the bed. “I’m going to introduce you to a whole new world tonight, sister.”
I let out a breath and give her a look that must say “you’re crazy” because she grabs my hand and squeezes it. “Just trust me.”
We walked up to a large, blue framed house. It sits far off the road in a large field. There is a giant willow tree in the front yard, and I almost screamed. They are my favorite. The music was loud, and I lost count of the number of motorcycles parked outside. There are men in leather vests. The same one Travis wore, all over the yard. I have only been here a total of two and half minutes and I have already counted six, half naked women. What the actual hell is going on here? I keep my eyes on my ankle boots as we walk up the porch steps. I have never in my life seen so much skin, and I almost got knocked down by a girl with a pair of bare double d’s when I stepped up to the door. Dani grabs me by the hand and drags me over the threshold. I automatically cough from the cloud of smoke that’s puffed into my face.
“Jesus.” I cough and wave my hand in the air.
I’m nervous. Dani casually mentioned there might be some things like skimpy outfits and drunk people. She failed to mention the possibility of a full on orgy that is currently taking place in the corner by a pool table. I feel like I contracted an STD from here. My eyes bounce around the room, and I know I look petrified.
“Mom!” Dani yells as she yanks me over to a lady in the kitchen. “Mom, this is Tanner.”
Dani’s mom gives me a warm smile and hugs me. Wow. These people are really friendly around here.
“I’m Gerry. Nice to meet you. Dani was right, you are beautiful.”
Now I’m really blushing. “Thank you,” I say, tucking a piece of strawberry hair behind my ear.
“Food’s out back.” She motions as she leaves the kitchen.
We take a step towards the back door when I hear a familiar deep voice. “Tanner? What the fuck are you doing here?”
I freeze and squeeze my eyes shut. Shit.
We both slowly turn. “Daniella.” His tone is hard, and I can see his jaw tic as he glares at her.