Axel’s been gone quite a while, but after eating I’ve been sitting here at the bar talking to Beer and Dice. I don’t know Dice very well; he works on custom bikes and tends to not be around the clubhouse much.
Beer hands me a soda and we are talking about hand to hand combat and I say I’m getting fit with my running so I can have lessons.
Dice finishes his beer, then turns to me, ‘If you run in the evening, I’ll start running with you. I need to get more exercise rather than bunched over my gut on the bikes. I go to the gym on the weekend but I used to run so it would be great to join you if you wouldn’t mind.’
‘Awesome, give me your digits and I’ll text when I’m going.’ We swap cell numbers and as I am about to tell him not tomorrow, the main door opens with Axel and Drag walking in with a woman behind them.
Standing, I stare at the women, then scream loudly as I run across the common room and jump on Shar. My Shar, she’s here!!
Screaming together, jumping up and down and laughing, we hug and talk all at the same time.
When we calm down enough, I grab Shar’s hand and drag her over to the bar where I order us both a Jack and Coke, which is what we always talked about having when we were in our cell at night.
‘Plenty of ice in it Beer, please.’ I say, still hanging onto Shar’s hand.
‘When did you get out Shar?’ I ask sitting on a bar stool.
‘Four weeks ago. I’ve been looking for you. The people at the diner told me where to come look for you. They were real nice. They let me stay in an apartment above the diner for a couple of weeks.’ Shar tells me and I close my eyes, thanking the Lord for allowing me to meet that couple. Suzie is the mother I would have loved to have had.
I introduce Shar to Dice and Beer, who are wide eyed, taking in our relentless talking.
‘Have you eaten? Are you hungry? You’re staying here. No excuses.’ Turning to Axel, he nods his head and shouts at Jig the prospect to organize Shar a room near mine.
‘I could eat a sandwich if you have one?’ Shar asks.
‘Come on Shar.’ Leading her into the kitchen. I open the fridge and take out the fixings for chicken, tomato, cheese, lettuce and mayo sandwich. The bread is still nice and fresh and once I have it made, I grab a bag of chips and sit next to Shar at a table.
After eating, Shar turns to me, ‘Mia, I heard gossip being whispered before I got out. I had to come find you to warn you.’
Before she could say anymore, the kitchen door opened and Brandy walks in with Candy right behind her. ‘Oh, look Candy a whore, didn’t know they were taking on new pussy.’
‘ You’ve got a nerve calling me a whore when you’re dressed like that.’ Shar snarls which has me grinning because she is dead right about what these two are wearing, skirts showing the crack of their ass, cropped tops with tits hanging out the bottom.
Brandy storms over to us when Axel opens the kitchen door. ‘What the fuck you doing, Brandy? Get the fuck out of here and go service one of the men.’
Giving us an evil look, both the bitches walk out giving Axel, what I think, is supposed to be smoldering look but actually looks like they need a shit.
Sitting back at the table, I turn back to Shar.
‘What were you saying, Shar? What gossip?’ I ask and give Axel a small smile when he sits beside me, then drags me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around my waist.
‘Just before they released me, I heard some gossip, and your name was mentioned. I kept close to the one talking, and a man called Alan has been paid by someone related to a woman called Cara. Well, the only Cara I knew was the bitch that set you up. But this Alan has a connection with someone here who is acting as a mole.’
Axel is vibrating with rage. I can feel his body shaking beneath mine. Taking out his cell, he sends a text and then kisses my forehead and places me on the seat before walking out of the kitchen.
Shar looks at me and I blink a few times as I do not know who Alan is or what relation of Cara would be interested in me.
‘Come on Shar, let’s get you settled in your room and we’ll sort out this mess tomorrow.’
Morning came around way too fast and after a shower I rush through dressing in jeans and a t-shirt and head down to the kitchen.
I can hear arguing before I even go through the door and entering I have to stop and smile, because, there is my bestie, up to her ears in bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast.
Working in the prison kitchen makes this easy for Shar, but no one ever said she was a clean cook. The place looks like an army came through.
Beer, Ruger, Brag and Specs are sitting eating and, by the looks of it, enjoying it. I’m lifted and moved out of the way with a ‘Come on babe, move yourself.’
Turning, I see it’s Hammer and Buzz who are now heading for the island to help themselves to this breakfast feast.
‘Morning Shar.’ I greet as I walk over and look over her shoulder as she is doing scrambled eggs.
‘Morning Mia, do you want scrambled eggs?’
‘No thanks, I’m just going to have some toast this morning.’ Picking up a couple of pieces and pour a coffee.
Axel walks into the kitchen and when he spots me, walks over and kisses my forehead. ‘Morning Babe.’
‘Morning Axel. Did you sleep well?’ I ask, as I’m always a little embarrassed by the kissing when we’ve not been intimate as yet.
‘I did, like a baby. Got a lot to do today so will be in and out of the clubhouse.’ He states, grabs a plate and piles it high, which has me grinning when I see Shar rolling her eyes and throwing more bacon into her pan.
‘I don’t want you going to the shop until they’re ready for any last-minute decisions. The plan you gave them is good enough for them to work from.’ Axel states and sits next to me at the table.
‘Okay, nothing urgent for me to do today. I’m at work tonight, but I want to go shopping with Shar, get her some clothes so she feels good in her own skin.’ I say, because I know all too well when you get released, you feel you need to reinvent yourself.
‘Oh, I don’t have enough money to go shopping yet Mia.’ Shar says as she throws scrambled eggs onto an enormous platter.
‘I have money Shar, we’re going shopping and I’m not arguing with you. We’ll get you a job soon.’ I tell her, and I lean over and kiss Axel’s cheek before I take my dishes to the sink where I rinse them out and put them in the dishwasher.
Looking around the kitchen, I smirk at the mess, but I roll up my sleeves and make a start cleaning up. Shar cooked, so I’m happy to clear up.
It takes over an hour to clear up all the dishes, wash the island, tables and mop the floor. Just as Shar and I finish, the whores walk in and they have an attitude.
‘Where’s the food?’ Candy asks, but I don’t even bother responding. I take hold of Shar’s hand and drag her out of the kitchen before she starts a war.
Fizz is walking across the common room toward us. ‘Mia, I’m on shopping duty with you, so get me when you’re ready, yeah?’
‘Where will you be?’
‘Just outside. I’m checking in at the gate before we go.’
‘Okay, Fizz, we’ll only be ten minutes.’ I state, then dash upstairs to get my jacket and purse, making sure I pull Shar along with me because I know her well enough that she would have made an escape rather than going shopping.
I tell Shar she has five minutes, then I’ll be back for her if she’s not at the door. Then I rush back down to Axel’s office, knocking before I crack it open. I see him sitting at his desk.
‘I’m going shopping with Shar, Fizz is going to come with, but I wanted you to know we are going in a couple of minutes.’
‘Come here babe,’
I walk over to him and he pulls me onto his lap, leans down, and places his lips over mine. This is sweet, not a demanding possession. It is calm, soft, and has my stomach curling into knots.
Running my tongue over his bottom lip, he opens his mouth to give me passage and I run my tongue over his, twirling and twining, then I wrap my lips around his tongue and suck gently.
The door flies open and Buzz walks in, ‘Oh sorry Pres, I didn’t realize you were making out with Mia.’ said with a laugh in his voice, and has me blushing bright red, a tomato would be about as red as I am at the moment.
Jumping off Axel’s lap, I rush to the door, turn and smile, ‘See you later.’
As I’m walking away, I can hear Axel cursing up a storm about not knocking on the door and disturbing his moment. I cannot help but grin broadly.
Reaching the mall, I’m feeling really excited. I have my wages from working at the club and Axel has given me his card in case we run short.
Fizz rubs his hands together. ‘Come on ladies, let’s shop.’
Two hours later I think to myself, boy can Fizz shop. We have underwear, jacket, jeans, t-shirts, pajamas, sweaters and now we’re heading into the shoe store.
I throw myself down on a seat that is for people to use when trying shoes on, but my feet have had enough for the minute, so I’m happy to park my butt.
Hearing Fizz and Shar arguing over which pair of boots to get has me grinning. Fizz has been great. He has one hell of a sense of humor, and I’m sure he’s going to be a fantastic brother one day soon.
Shar brings two pair of ankle boots with small heels and a pair of Doc Martens over to try on. She is looking tired, but I will not comment because I can guess she hasn’t settled from being released yet. I know I didn’t sleep well for about three months, so can imagine Shar isn’t.
‘Which do you think, Mia?’ Shar asks, standing with a pair of ankle boots that don’t match.
‘Walk up and down and let me see.’ I tell her, but if I’m truthful, they both look good.
‘I like them both Shar, is one pair more comfortable than the other?’
‘No, they both fit well, no scrunching of toes or rubbing on my heels.’
‘Get both pairs and the Doc’s.’ I tell her and pick up the boots, walk over to the assistant that has been giving us looks since we entered.
‘We’ll take all three pairs.’ I tell her, place the boots on the counter and wait for Shar to bring the others, but she’s arguing with Fizz about only having one pair, hence, I storm over, grab the boots and pass them to the assistant.
Once paid for, Fizz is piled high with shopping bags, but we are nearly as bad. But I feel good about doing this and making sure Shar can move forward with her life.
Heading out to the SUV, Fizz loads up the trunk and climbs into the driver’s seat.
‘Fizz, can we hit McDonalds? I’m starving. We can go through the drive-thru. I’ll get something for Axel too.’ I say while making sure my seatbelt is on tight.
‘Sure we can. Text Pres and make sure he’ll be at the clubhouse because I know he’s got a busy day and may not be back yet.’ Fizz tells me, then turns on the radio but keeps it low enough for me to think, which is great as these bikers all seem to have a hearing deficiency, blaring music is normal for them, but it just give me a headache.
Axel isn’t at the clubhouse, so we just grab for us and head back where we eat, then Shar and I go to her room and put away all the shopping.
The afternoon flies past, but Shar wants to cook as she feels it is her way of repaying the kindness that the club has shown to her so far.
In the kitchen, I chop up vegetables for roasting and Shar sorts out the meat. I’m not even paying attention as my mind keeps wandering to the kiss and how it made me feel.
I’m sure I’m going to be ready to take the next step really soon. Axel has shown over and over he is an honest man, cares deeply about his club and has good morals. He has not attempted to push me into more, although I know he wants me to be a true ol’ lady.
Sighing, I shake my thoughts out and dig in to help Shar get the meal done and out because I want to eat before I go to work tonight.
