I have slept with her off and on through the years; which isn’t a lot. After the times we slept together, I would wake up to try and slip away, not wanting to complicate things, to find she beat me to it. Gone.
She comes around the club for a couple of parties here and there, and then she’ll split for weeks at a time, distancing herself. I’ve tried to crack what goes on in that beautiful mind of hers, but it just makes her push herself away from me more. Which is probably a good thing. I like the way things are going for me. I’m carefree, and without limitations. Knowing Jessica more will throw me over the line of freedom and into something complicated. I have seen firsthand what that does to a man. Look at Shadow and Dani. They became careless after they got too close, and it cost me two bullets!
I enter the clubhouse and walk right past everyone at the bar, going into the kitchen needing something to wet my dry mouth. I must have smoked a lot of pot last night. Shit always gives me cottonmouth something bad.
Grabbing the orange juice from the fridge, I drink directly from the jug. Replacing the container back where I found it, I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, and then close the refrigerator before heading out of the kitchen.
It’s quiet, too quiet. I stride back into the common area and notice everyone huddled over the bar looking at the flat screen TV hanging on the wall.
“What’s everyone—“
“Shhhh!” Shorty snaps at me, her brown hair flinging over her shoulder from whipping her head in my direction. The intensity of her brown eyes as she scowls makes me grin. Shorty was brought in by the ol’ ladies several months after Babs passed away. Babs was the mother of the MC, and could never be replaced, but it’s nice having Shorty clean up around here. She’s short and cute as hell. I’m not entirely sure what her story is. I heard some shit about her dad abusing her, but I’m not sure if it’s true. She helps behind the bar, and though her food tastes like shit, she tries to cook.
I turn my gaze back to the TV and see a reporter frantically trying to get past a crowd of gawking people.
“Really big wreck on the freeway,” Shadow whispers, watching the TV intently, his arms crossed in front of his chest while he stares at it.
“Damn, glad I took the back way then,” I respond.
“Back way? Where did you come from?” Shadow questions, his tone curious.
I raise my eyebrows and smile. “A sorority.”
Shadow smirks, shaking his head.
Jessica
I wake to a loud buzzing, causing me to roll over and slam my hand down on the alarm clock.
“No, not yet,” I mumble into the pillow. The loud buzzing continues, making me lift my head from the pillow to inspect the alarm. The alarm isn’t going off; it’s my cellphone. Shit, I’m on call at the hospital. I hurry out of bed and grab my phone from the charger.
“Dr. Wren,” I answer, my voice cracking from speaking so quickly, and not fully awake.
“We need you to head over to where the 10 intersects the 405,” my boss instructs.
“Why?” I don’t usually get a call to go to a scene. Actually, it has never happened.
“There has been a multiple car pileup and we need you there now. There are several casualties and not enough ambulances or EMTs to assist.” Her voice shaky as if she is overwhelmed.
“Yeah, okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can,” I yawn into the phone.
I end the call and groan. This always happens having the job I do. I plan things, but get called in making me reschedule. Today was supposed to be mine and Addie’s day and I don’t even get to take her to school. I pull on my white robe and head down the hall to the apartment directly across from mine. Looks like Bree will have to take her. Bree is Addie’s babysitter. Luckily, she lives right across the hall, and adores my daughter. She is great with Addie, helping her with school-work, and even letting Addie stay the night when I’m on call or on graveyard shift.
I rasp my knuckles against the door, and lean against the doorframe.
The door swings open and a smiling Bree hands me a cup of coffee. Her dark hair is pulled up into a messy bun, and her glasses are sitting on the bridge of her nose, causing a slight red indent creasing it. Her eyes are bloodshot; she must have been up studying all night for her college exams. I met Bree when I moved in. She locked herself outside her apartment, so I offered for her to stay at my place until the landlord called her back. I found she was going to school for nursing, taking online classes, and evening classes when she could afford the tuition. I gave her tips for studying, and advice on the exams she’d be taking. Next thing I knew, she was over every other day, asking questions she couldn’t figure out on her homework, and on breaks, she’d play with Addie.
“I saw the news. I figured they would call you in,” she says, pointing over her shoulder to a reporter on the TV.
“More like calling me to the scene. I’m guessing it’s pretty bad. I need to get there quickly. Can you get Addie up and take her to school?” I ask, taking a sip of the coffee.
“Sure thing,” she says, closing the door behind her, following me to my apartment.