Page 31 of Wire
I run my hand down my face to clear the confusion not only in my mind but also my heart. Somehow, both Retta and Remy have been haunting my dreams. The more I get to know Remy, the harder I find it to get her out of my head. Her scent, her touch, her voice, they all haunt me. When I close my eyes, she’s there, yet she isn’t just her. She somehow embodies all the things I love about Retta. Her unwavering support of me. Her trust. Her geeky sense of humor. Not only am I failing at my job by not finding what we need, I’m also failing in my friendships with two amazing women. The only way I can see to move forward is to meet Retta and see if there is anything between us. It’s only fair. She was in my life first. Best-case scenario we meet, decide to remain besties and I can see where these Remy feelings leave me. Because there is something there. Whether it’s a real attraction connection or a more protective connection, I’m still unsure. Or maybe I am sure and am just kidding myself that we’re friends. I’m sure friends don’t pop a chubby everytime they see them. Fuck, I’m turning into a pussy.
“Hey Wire, whatcha working on?” Speak of the Devil, Remy pops her head in the doorway.
“Same shit as before, Rem. Same shit as before.” Letting out a sigh, my shoulders slump. “I’m sure we’ll get a break soon. Just frustrated is all.”
“I hear ya. I’ve been trying to recall more from the last few times I overheard Hammer, but nothing. Although I did have an idea. His right-hand man is a guy named Snake. Carter Price. He may be easier to find? I hadn’t looked into him yet because I was sort of looking into Jovie’s family.” I grimace at her, causing her to make a huffing sound before shrugging. “Yeah, I can’t stop thinking about that little girl. Whatever is going on at home isn’t ideal, but yet she still turns up every day, super positive and polite.”
“I get it Rem. You just want to help her.”
She gives me a tight smile before sitting in her usual spot. She spins her chair toward me so her body is facing me.
“She, she just reminds me of me when I was a kid. I had Miss Shawna. This amazing, larger than life black woman who treated me like I was her own. She’s the one who got me into computers.” She smiles to herself and I let her memories distract her and I take in her face. Her dirty blonde hair is looking slightly wavy today, her bangs hanging in her bright blue eyes slightly, glasses perched on her nose, giving her an effortlessly beautiful look. Like a woman you’d see in a magazine, maybe.
“Well, I think it’s cool that Jovie has Miss Remy to look out for her.”
Her face lights up and she gives me a smile before frowning. “Anyway, Marx asked me to come get you. Apparently, things are about to kick off?” She scrunches her brow, looking fucking adorable. I try not to stare at her too much, but there is no denying her beauty. Even in the weird slightly too long plaid skirt and vest combo she’s wearing. Complete with another bookish brooch pinned to those distracting tits.
Running a hand down my face to clear my head, I push my chair back, stand and smile at the little blonde. “Lead the way, babe.”
Following her down the hall, I try to keep the conversation light. If I don’t, I fear she’ll turn around and clock me staring at her ass. There isn’t too much to see as her skirt isn’t form fitted, but a man can picture what she’s hiding under those loose clothes.
We hit the common room, and it seems everyone is here, including the whole Tombs family. Debs is handing out brownies that do not contain any weed, thanks to the Remy mishap.
Everyone is shooting the shit and Ana is not so quietly asking Gus why she is missing out on her Kung Pao chicken. Tav clears his throat before stepping up to the front of the room, standing next to Marx.
“I, well, Marx has an announcement, and I wanted you all here for this,” Tav says in a clear voice before stepping to the side.
“OK, listen up, you fuc-” Marx’s eyes dart to Debs before he clears his throat, “I mean, you folks,” He looks at Debs again, who beams at him and gives him two thumbs up. Nodding, he carries on, “I would like to welcome our newest prospect to the Devil’s Rose MC family, although you all know the cheeky asshole. Welcome Tav!” He whacks Tav on the back and hands him over a cut that says “Prospect” on the front.
We all let out loud whoops, stomping our boots. All the brothers including myself head over to Tav to beat him on the back in congratulations. And to fuck with him. Takoda is lining beers up along the bar top to be handed out when we all freeze as Ana bursts into tears and Pops starts yelling nonsensical shit.
“It’s obvious what’s wrong with her.” Pops points out, like it is, in fact obvious. To him anyway. “There are communists in the funhouse. Japan is attacking.” None of us know what the fuck he’s talking about and we don’t know how to stop the rant.“The English have landed. Granny is coming in the red car. The painters are in. Shark week, bloody Mary, the crimson wa-”
“Fuck’s sake, I’m not on my period. I’m PREGNANT!” Ana yells out, essentially shutting up Pops and everyone else in a 2-mile radius.
The room is silent for a split second before whoops and banging start up once more. Remy, bouncing next to me has me looking down at her, her hands clasped in front of her mouth as she lets out a little whoop. She’s so fucking cute that she completely had me forgetting that I was in a state not five minutes ago, wanting to message Retta to talk me down. I shake my head, feeling guilty that Remy is filling in some of Retta’s space within me. I need to sort this shit out. Pulling up our message thread, I type out a date and time to meet.
Saint_Margarita: Hey babe, can you meet me tomorrow at 5pm? At that lookout spot between our towns that we spoke about. Lemme know. Xx.
I watch the tiny screen for a beat but note that she’s offline, so I’ll have to wait for a reply. Remy rushes off to congratulate her friend, so I sidle up to the bar for a beer. I tip my chin at Takoda when he places a cold one in front of me and spin to look out into the common room, leaning my back against the bar. Marx grabs a beer and mimics my position, watching the goings on.
“Did you ever think the MC would be this big and chaotic?” I ask, taking a pull of my beer.
Marx raises his brow at me before taking a pull of his own, swallowing before answering me. “When I got back from deployment I was lost and DRMC was a dying club. It was just the old boys then, Dad and his crew but it was a safe space for me. When Mad Dog handed over the reins he told me to build something new.” He picks at the label on the bottle in his hand with his blunt nail before looking at me. “I didn’t think it wouldget this big, but I had hoped. After I got out I needed a place like this.”
“So did I.”
“I remember, brother.” He looks at me before turning back to the room. “You’re not the only one, either. Almost every brother here needed a place to land. I hoped it would be like this. But I did not foresee Tuesday Tombs and all that she brings.”
I let out a snort, looking around the room until I spot Chewy. She’s leaning against Rhodie, a few of the brothers are standing around her as she’s animatedly talking about something. Using her hands, she mimes something blowing up.
“I can’t believe she fucking blew up the nomad bodies by accident. What the fuck?” Marx grumbles. “Ah shit.” Following his gaze, I watch Pops walk toward us.
“Boys. I think I’ll celebrate my impending great grandbaby with a nice cold one. And then a hot one with my lady.” He waggles his brows at us. Debs is walking our way with a tray of brownies, stopping to offer them to Fox, Nitro and some bunnies.
Marx watches Debs for a moment before turning to Pops. “I thought you and Rosie were a thing?”
“Who’s Rosie?” Debs asks the three of us. That woman is quick on her feet and has the hearing of a bat if she heard that.