Caught Up, page 21
“I copied her recipes when she was sleeping at night and even tried dressing like her. Daddy just adores her. He would do anything for her. I thought that would help Jean Claude and me,” she said and I noticed tears streaming down her cheeks. Reaching out, I touched her arm and she clasped her hand over mine.
“I never liked him,” I muttered. She laughed and wiped her tears away with her other hand.
“Really?” she asked. I nodded.
“Any man who is prettier than you and wears skinny jeans, he has to be an asshole,” I replied. She snorted, laughed, and then started to cry. I went over to the couch and put my arms around her as she bawled on my shoulder. In my head, I willed my daddy to come to us. We both needed him right about now.
Chapter 16 ~ Aaron
Pulling up to Molly’s, I backed my bike into a vacant spot. It had been months since I had driven it and it felt good to open her up on the back roads. Tangler’s Super Glide was parked towards the back and I saw Jack’s truck.
“Hey, old man,” Jack walked over and then looked at me with a frown on his face. “Uh, what did you do to your hair?” Running my hand through my hair, I shrugged.
“Did you do it for Chloe?” he asked. Matt came up then, sliding his keys into his pocket.
“Who did what to Chloe?” he asked with a smirk. He looked like his fucking grandfather, Big Kyle, when he did that.
“No one did anything to Chloe,” I muttered. Matt smiled.
“Who’s the scared looking chick over there?” asked Matt, his voice low enough for us to hear him but not anyone else. I looked over his shoulder and grinned. Willa stood there in tight jeans, black flip flops and one of those flowy looking purple shirts with spaghetti straps. Her hair was hanging down and she kept wringing her hands. A couple of guys stopped to look at her and she flinched a bit.
“That is my therapist,” I replied. Jack whistled and Matt’s eyebrows went up into his hairline.
“That chick is the one who throws glitter at you?” asked Jack.
“Yes,” I responded. He shook his head and grinned.
“Well, let’s go introduce ourselves,” suggested Matt. Jack nodded. Jack walked over to Willa and her face paled when she saw Matt close behind him. Matt was a fucking gargantuan beast and Jack had ink everywhere. I saw her visibly swallow and then she spied me. Her face brightened and she stopped looking like she was about to bolt.
“Willa, this is my son-in-law, Jack and my son, Matt,” I told her. She nodded quickly like she was nervous and held out her hand. Matt took it and kissed the back of it as her cheeks turned pink.
“Nice to meet you,” whispered Matt with a wink. Groaning, I pushed him off of her.
“Willa came here to see the band, experience the music and shit. Not to be molested by a Viking,” I told Matt who frowned at me. Willa smiled and laughed softly.
“You’re such a cock block,” muttered Matt. Willa giggled. I grabbed her elbow and steered her towards the door, which had a long line in front of it. The doorman looked up at us and smiled. He had to weigh about four hundred pounds and was dressed all in black, the chain from his wallet glinting. He put down the flashlight he was using to check ids and shook my hand.
“Look who’s back from the dead!” he commented in his deep, gravelly voice. He nodded to Jack and Matt, who nodded in return. Then his eyes settled on Willa and looked her over just a bit too long for my liking.
“Who’s this lovely thing you have with you?” he asked as he flashed a white smile to Willa.
“She’s my therapist,” I told him. He let out a roaring laugh and then let us pass. Willa looked over her shoulder at him and waved.
“What are you doing?” I asked her. She tripped slightly and I grabbed her elbow and steadied her.
“Being cordial,” she replied. Jack snorted.
“Tiny wanted to fuck you, not have tea with you,” I replied. Her face paled.
“Really?” she asked in awe.
“Yeah, really,” replied Matt. It was packed inside of Molly’s. There was a crowd around the bar and the dance floor was filled with thrashing bodies. The music was sharp, electric and edgy. It filled you up with anxious energy and then just let loose all over your skin. I felt myself swaying a bit to the music and then turned to see Willa’s reaction to it all. She looked scared shitless. I figured I would give the music a minute to settle over her and she would either hate it or love it.
“Willa?” I yelled. She snapped out of her scared rabbit trance and looked at me.
“Do me a favor, please?” I asked. She chewed on her bottom lip and cocked her head to the side.
“Um... sure,” she said nervously.
“Close your eyes,” I told her. She looked at me like I had lost my mind. Grabbing her wrist, I pulled her close to me, nestled in my arms. I could smell her perfume and her soap. I could see her pulse in her neck.
“Close them,” I repeated. She nodded and then closed them.
“Okay. Feel the music. Listen to the words. He’s talking about this one woman he can’t have and how it’s tearing him up. But it’s not just the words, it’s the music. The melody, the notes are spilling over your skin. It doesn’t make a difference if it’s blues, jazz, pop or metal. The music is touching you, caressing you. Like sex,” I said into her ear. Her eyes popped open and she looked at me.
“Sex!” she yelped. Putting my hand over her eyes, I bent down again to talk to her again.
“Yes, like sex. Sometimes you want the notes and melodies to smooth over your skin, caressing you softly and slowly. Like jazz. Other times, you want to be bent over and fucked hard until your heart is racing like a racehorse... sort of like when you listen to metal... you feel me?” I asked her. I could feel her heart racing at my words and I’m pretty sure if I looked, her pulse at her neck would be throbbing. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly through her lips. She opened her eyes and they were bright. She put her hand to her chest and smiled.
“Okay now?” I asked her. She nodded.
“Want a drink?” I asked her.
“Yes, please. Vodka and cranberry?” she asked. I nodded and turned around to order from the bartender.
“She’s cute,” remarked Matt, coming over to stand beside me. I nodded.
“I prefer blondes,” I shot back. Matt grinned.
“Who fucked up your face?” he asked. I paid the bartender and took my beer and Willa’s drink. I passed the drink to her and took a tug on my beer.
“Your brother did,” I replied. His eyes widened.
“Axel hit you?” he asked. I nodded.
“From what I heard, the little fucker ambushed him at the graveyard,” commented Jack, coming out of nowhere.
“Did he?” asked Willa. I nodded again.
“Why?” Matt and Jack asked in unison.
“You’re a bunch of gossipy bitches,” I remarked. Jack grinned. Willa sipped from the skinny red straw that was stuck in her drink.
“Because he got Chloe knocked up,” called a voice. We all turned to see Axel standing there with a shiner of his own. Willa stood in front of me and put a hand on his chest. Her jaw took a defiant set and she narrowed her eyes at him. Matt snorted but didn’t say anything to her.
“Listen, buddy. His son already hit him. You need to go back to the mosh pit and leave us to our night,” she said firmly, drawing herself up to her full five feet. Jack grinned as Matt choked on his beer.
“Uh, who is this?” asked Axel, pointing to Willa. She was looking up at him and I could see her fist balled up. If she hit him, not that I wanted him to get hurt, that would make my month.
“It doesn’t matter who I am. Carry on with your evening, sir!” she exclaimed as she poked him in the chest. He frowned down at her and shook his head a bit.
“Dad, really? You have a teeny, tiny bodyguard now?” he asked. Her face paled.
“Dad?” she asked her hand going to her mouth.
“Willa, this is my son, Axel. Axel, this is my therapist, Willa,” I introduced. Axel nodded and smiled his signature panty dropping smirk and Willa nodded and then frowned.
“Why did you hit him?” she asked angrily.
“Isn’t this like overstepping some doctor/patient boundary or something? And what is a girl like you doing at Molly’s?” he asked. She frowned again and I swear to Christ she stomped her foot.
“What? I can’t like metal?” she asked.
“You? Like metal?” he sneered. She nodded.
“I’m thinking you like to listen to Fleetwood Mac and Michael Bublé?” he replied. She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. Matt snorted and she looked at him angrily which caused him to stop.
“I don’t even know who Michael whatever his name is! I like metal,” she replied. Axel smirked.
“Yeah? Like who?” he countered. She thought for a moment.
“Asking Anastasia,” she shot out.
“Alexandria,” corrected Jack. She gave him a look and he held up his hands in surrender.
“That’s what I said. Asking Alexandria!” she proclaimed. Axel laughed.
“Your watchdog is cute, Dad,” he replied. Willa frowned and shoved him.
“Yeah, I don’t think she likes being called cute,” commented Jack. Axel flipped him off.
“Mature,” replied Jack. Axel shrugged and signaled the bartender. He ordered himself a beer and another drink for Willa. He handed her a drink and smiled.
“So what’s up with the therapist? Is she babysitting you?’ he asked me.
“So you two are just going to pretend you didn’t go all MMA on each other in the cemetery?” asked Matt.
“What do you want us to do, bro? Hug it out and bang on some drums?” asked Axel, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Willa perked up at that suggestion.
“I have drums!” she caroled. Axel raised an eyebrow and Jack tapped Willa on the shoulder.
“He was being sarcastic,” offered Jack. She frowned and downed her drink. Matt’s eyebrows raised and he shook his head. I had a feeling one of us was going to have to give Willa a ride home much sooner rather than later.
“I was being stupid. I’m sorry. I’m not going to cry or wail or stupid shit like that,” said Axel. I nodded.
“Besides, what’s the point? You hit like a little girl,” I remarked, which earned a punch in the arm from Axel.
“And he was probably drunk when he punched you like a bitch,” remarked Matt. Axel frowned.
“What?” I asked.
“Oh now you’re all big brotherly and wise?” asked Axel. Matt shrugged.
“No, but I do have my moments. Was I right?” asked Matt. Axel nodded slowly. I winced.
“What the fuck are you doing drinking in the middle of the day?” I asked. Axel held up his hand and walked away.
“Fantastic,” muttered Jack. Willa frowned.
“What?” I asked. She shook her head again.
“You all have the worst communication skills I have ever encountered,” she replied in a thick Southern accent. We all looked at her.
“What?” she screeched.
“Your voice for starters?” replied Matt. She slugged down her drink and winced.
“I’m from Louisiana.”
“Why am I just noticing the accent now?” I asked her.
“Diction classes,” she replied as she signaled the bartender for another drink. Pushing her hand down, I shook my head at her, which of course, elicited a frown from her little face.
“Dick what?” asked Axel as he stalked back over. Willa gave him a relieved smile.
“I was tellin’ them that I’m from Louisiana and that people from my parish, we have accents,” she replied and then hiccupped. Axel grinned.
“Oh really?” he asked as he leaned into her. Matt caught my eye and cocked his head in Axel’s direction. Fucker was hitting on my therapist.
“Why yes. But I have been taking diction classes. I mean, who wants to get therapy from a girl who sounds like she lives in a trailer park and strips weeknights at the Eager Beaver?” she asked. Jack choked on his beer.
“The Eager Beaver?” Jack asked. Willa nodded.
“It’s a strip club,” she replied matter of fact.
“And what is a pretty little thing like you doing in a strip club?” asked Axel.
“Dude...” muttered Jack. Axel ignored him and Matt groaned. We all knew where this was going.
“My mama worked there. She still does,” she replied.
“Your....your mama is a stripper?” asked Matt. She nodded slowly.
“Yes. Please don’t think less of me,” she replied, her chin quivering. Matt smiled.
“Hey now. Aaron is my dad. He used to fuck my mother and my aunt in the BDSM club that my aunt currently owns. I couldn’t think less of you if I tried,” replied Matt. Jack paled and Axel swore under his breath. My sons had the social tact of fruit flies, especially when pussy was involved. Axel looked at me and I shook my head, warning him off of her. He grinned at me playfully and turned back to Willa.
“Your mama was into what?” she asked Matt, ignoring Axel and his charming ass for the moment.
“A club where they tie people up and do all sorts of bad shit to them,” he replied. A confused expression stretched over her face before she suddenly smiles.
“Like that Christian Grey guy?” she asked. We all groaned.
“Yeah... no. Nothing like that. But sort of,” I replied. Willa’s eyes widened.
“Could you take me to one of those clubs next?” she asked, her hands clasped and her cheeks red. Axel grinned his Big Bad Wolf grin and turned to her.
“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, sweetheart,” he replied. Jack shook his head and walked away.
“Where are you going, fucker?” I asked him, grabbing his arm as he walked past me.
“Dude, I know she is your head shrinker and all, but watching this is like watching National Geographic. You know when the lions stalk the gazelles. I can’t watch it. I would rather hang out with your sister and listen to her complain about how her vagina isn’t the same after giving birth to big headed babies,” he replied with a rueful expression. I let his arm go.
“And yeah, Almeida did have that discussion with me,” he said over his shoulder with a shudder. Turning back to Axel and Willa, I saw that only Matt was there and he was looking down at his phone with a frown.
“What’s wrong?” I asked him.
“My Aunt Kellan is flipping shit. She wants me to get my shit out tomorrow before her church group comes over,” he muttered.
“Kellan goes to church?” I asked as I finished my beer. He nodded.
“Yeah, Vinnie, her crazy Italian husband, took her to his church and she was saved. She let Jesus into her heart and all that shit. So now, she has fucking bible study at the house and wants me nowhere near it,” he replied.
“But she runs an S&M club. And why does she hate you all of a sudden?” I asked. I felt bad to tell you the truth that I wasn’t there for him a whole lot when he was growing up and from what I heard Vinnie, Kellan’s husband, was a real hard ass.
“She caught me fucking two of her bible study chicks. At the same time,” he replied. He peeled the label off of his beer bottle and looked at me.
“You’re fucking serious?” I asked. He looked at me and I swear to God it was like looking into his mother’s eyes, only with less crazy in them. He nodded slowly. And I laughed.
“Dad, it’s not fucking funny,” he replied. My laughter stopped.
“What did you call me?” I asked, my heart skipping a beat. He looked at me again, all sorrowful and shit.
“I called you Dad,” he replied. Without even thinking, I pulled him to me, in a metal bar and hugged him tight. The fucker was taller than me but I didn’t give a shit. He was my son.
“That’s what I fucking thought you said. About time, you little bastard,” I told him.
“Are you guys going to braid one another’s hair?” called Jack as he walked over. Matt and I pulled apart and looked at Jack.
“Fuck off,” replied Matt, which only made Jack grin wider.
“About time you fuckers got your shit straight,” he replied. Matt nodded and turned to order another beer.
“In the spirit of not drinking and driving, where is Axel?” asked Matt. Jack’s grin faded.
“He left,” he said quickly. Too quickly.
“Jack,” I growled. He put his hands up.
“Why is it that whenever I’m around you and your insanely psychotic offspring, I become a super pussy? I mean seriously. I served time for Christ sakes but the minute you growl at me Aaron, my dick disappears and in its place a pussy,” he yelled. Matt laughed.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but we can discuss that later, I guess. Where is Willa and my son?” I asked through clenched teeth. Jack pointed to the Exit.
“He took her home. Said she was too drunk to drive,” replied Jack. Matt put his bottle on the bar, tipped the bartender and stood up.
“Son of a bitch,” he hissed. We all stalked out of the bar. Axel’s truck was gone.
“Fuck fuck fuck!” I yelled. Matt cursed under his breath and Jack pulled out his cell phone. After a few minutes he slid in back into his pocket.
“Anything?” I asked.
“Straight to voicemail,” he replied. I punched the side of the bar.
“I tried to get my therapist to lay off me and I fucking talked her into coming out. Where I feed her to my son, the fucking man whore of the universe. I’m such a fucking bastard!”
“Aaron, calm down. She didn’t have to pound down drinks,” replied Matt.
“I know. But I was supposed to be watching out for her. Not letting my son finesse his way into her pants,” I replied, running my hands through my hair. I wanted to pull out my hair I was so fucking frustrated. Matt tried calling her too and it went straight to voicemail.
“Drive by,” said Matt simply.
“Come again?” I asked, turning to look at him. Good fuck my oldest son was tall.
“Let’s all get in my truck, you’re too tanked to drive, and we’ll go see if the little fucker is at his house,” said Matt. Jack lit up a cigarette and frowned.
