Page 69 of Shake Up My Life

CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOUR

TANNER

I’m introduced to all of the women. I’ll never remember all of their names, at least not right away. Though, I do remember Ivory’s and she assures me that I’m part of the family. She also tells me that we’ll all become fast friends. She even says that they do family barbecues once a week. It all sounds too good to be true.

It probably is.

I have a feeling that Brianne will do everything in her power to take my place. Maybe she would be a better fit anyway. This is more her thing. She seems like she’s more the type to live in this life. That she would blend in with these people, that she would be able to bond with them better than I ever could.

Looking around, I take in all of the women. They all look different and yet, the same.

Sucking in a breath, I start to say something, but I don’t have anything to add to the conversation at all. I’m useless and pointless. There are even a couple different ones going on, but none of them are applicable to me. I feel completely out of my element.

Marilyn and Moxie are talking about stripping and dancing on the pole, all of the different techniques. Kia, Alessa, and Luella are murmuring something else in the distance. I overhear some of the women talking about their kids.

And me?

I’m just taking it all in. Completely unable to add to anything. Watching everything around me and wondering all over again how in the hell I’m going to live this life? Maybe Brent was right, maybe I should be with someone like him, one of his friends. At least that way, I wouldn’t be completely lost in this world that I do not understand.

But then I think about Riff, about my Wesley and I know that I could never turn away from him. I could never just walk away. He’s special. The way he makes me feel, I know without a doubt that he’s where I’m meant to be. The rest of this though… I am lost.

Ivory bumps me with her elbow and I turn to her. She’s broken me out of my thoughts, and I suck in a breath, opening my mouth to speak, though I’m not sure what I’m going to say, when the front door opens.

My brother is there, standing in the doorway, the light pouring in around him. The men hanging around the room all look over to the door and slowly slide off of their barstools. They know that Brent does not belong. It is very clear that he is not one of them.

Standing, I’m speechless for a moment, then as one of the men walks over to him, my feet begin to move as well. I remember the man from Louisiana. He’s one of the ones in charge. His vest, or cut whatever it’s called, it has a completely different design on the back. I know that he is not a Nasty Bastard, but he is very much still one of them—a biker.

“I’m here for my sister,” Brent grinds out.

The biker turns his head, looking over his shoulder at me. His brows rise and he shakes his head once. “This club is a fucking mess. I love this shit,” he announces with a grin, then he walks away, though not far. He’s close enough to hear the entire conversation. No doubt he will report it to Wesley, too.

“You need to come with me,” Brent announces.

Shaking my head slowly, I hear some people moving around behind me, probably some of the other men and no doubt some of the women as well. It doesn’t matter though, they can all hear what’s happening. I’ve got no secrets. Not when it comes to this.

“No, I don’t,” I say.

“He’s going to get you fucking killed, Tanner. You were kidnapped.Kidnapped,” he yells.

The same man who greeted Brent takes a step forward, clearing his throat. His gaze shifts between us and he turns to Brent.

“Don’t yell at her again,” he warns.

Brent shakes his head, not even looking at him, his attention is on me. He pretends this man doesn’t even exist. I almost warn Brent to maybe not piss off these guys, but it would be useless. Brent isn’t going to listen to them or me, or anyone in the whole fucking world. He never has and he never will.

“I’m with Wesley. That is not going to change.”

There is a moment of silence where we stare at one another. Brent crosses his arms over his chest and watches me before he speaks. When he does, I know that he’s using his words to hurt me.

“You’re exactly like Mom,” he says. “You’re going to end up exactly like her too.”

“You’re cruel,” I whisper.

Brent snorts. “Yeah, well. The truth fucking hurts, Tanner. You’re making some real shit choices and I can only come to the conclusion that you have issues like Mom. You’re going to fuck up your life and the life of that baby inside you.”

I thought that maybe, just maybe, he would have calmed down a little bit. I’ve left. I haven’t asked him for anything, but it seems like that’s just not going to happen. He keeps saying I’m like Mom. He keeps telling me that I’m doing something really wrong just because it’s not what he wants me to do.

The man who has been watching the exchange takes a step toward us, but then Byron appears. It’s almost as if he’s come out of nowhere, but I’m kind of glad to have him here. Byron knows my brother.