Chapter 3

Waking up the next morning, we're in the same position that we went to sleep in. Getting up and getting our day started, we smell bacon as we walk out to the kitchen. Getting three cups of coffee down, Molly hands me and Juan both a cup and I ask "Need any help?" She shakes her head and says "Nope. It's almost done." We take our seats at the table after getting our plates from Molly. The three of us sit down and start to talk. "So, Juan, tell me about yourself." Molly says. "Like I told Gypsy, born and raised in Queens, NY, moved to California eight years ago and was excommunicated from the MC I was with because the president had me doing some things and didn't tell the club so when he was done with me he outed me and had me voted out. I was on the streets for over a month before Gypsy found me." he tells her. "What kind of work did you do?" she asks. "Mechanic." he tells her. "My dad owns a garage. I might can get you on there. But I'd have to tell him how I know you." she says. "Your dad loves me, tell him that he's my boyfriend and we just moved back from California." I tell her and she nods. Getting up, she pulls out her phone. A couple of minutes later she hands me the phone. "He wants to talk to you." I get up and walk out of the room. "Hey Pop." I say. "Hey baby girl. You back for good?" he asks. "Yeah. I am." I tell him. "So, this Juan guy is your boyfriend?" he asks. "Yeah. He is. He's really good to me Pop. Met him after I left my ex. Ex was beating me but Juan's taking really good care of me." I tell him. "So, I can trust him?" he asks. "Yeah. You can." I tell him. "Tell him he starts Monday morning. Give you guys the week to get settled. You staying at Molly's?" he asks. "Yeah. Until we can get a place." I tell him. "Good. I'll come by later to meet him." he says. "Okay. Thanks Pop. I owe you." I say before ending the call. I walk back to the kitchen and tell him "You start Monday. He said he'll be by later to meet you. But he thinks I left my ex and got with you." I tell him. "Okay. I'll stick to the story." he tells me. "Now I have to find a job." I say. "You took me in, relax for awhile. I got us." he says. "I can't let you do that." I say. "What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't take care of my girl?" he asks smirking. "Are you sure?" I ask. "Yeah. I'm sure. I got us." he says and I nod. I look at Molly and she's just smiling.

A little later, we are all sitting on the back deck when the doorbell rings. Molly gets up to answer it and she walks back out with her dad behind her. I stand to hug him and he's careful because apparently Molly told him Juan and I hadn't been together that long and my rib still hadn't healed. "Hey Pop." I say. "Hey baby girl. How are you doing?" he asks. "Better. Definitely better." I tell him and he smiles. "Pop, this is my boyfriend Juan Carlos. Juan this is Molly's dad and more or less mine too, JB." I introduce him. Juan holds out his hand to shake and says "Nice to meet you sir." JB shakes his hand and says "Likewise son. So, my girls tell me you're a mechanic?" Pop asks. "Yes sir. Last job I was there for eight years." Juan says. "Why did you leave?" he asks. Juan looks at me and says "Better offer came along." I look at him and blush a little and I see Pop and Molly smiling. "Well, I'll let you two get settled. We will see you on Monday son." Pop says. "Bright and early. Thanks again sir." Juan says. "Call me JB. No more of that sir shit. You're family now." Pop says. "You know Marla will be pissed if you don't come by to see her. Bring your boyfriend. She's going to want to meet him." he tells me. "I will Pop. We'll come by tomorrow." I tell him. He nods and heads out.

After Pop leaves Juan asks "You're close to Molly's parents?" I nod. "My parents passed when I was sixteen in a car accident and with no other family to care for me, they took me in. We had been best friends and grew up next door to each other so I've known them all my life." I tell him. "That's good. Not many people would just take in another kid." he says. "They were great. Still are." I say. We spend the rest of the day just hanging out and talking before heading to bed that night.

The next morning, after breakfast, we get into the car and head to Pop's house. Walking in the door without knocking like I always do, I call out "Momma are you here?" She comes walking out of the kitchen and sees me. "Gypsy? Honey, how have you been?" she asks. "I'm good Momma. I want you to meet someone." I tell her. "Momma this is my boyfriend Juan Carlos." I tell her. "Well Juan, it's nice to meet you." she says. "You too ma'am." he says. "Call me Marla." Juan just nods and smiles softly. "So, tell me how you met?" she asks. "I met him when I left my ex. We've not been together long." I say. She looks at me and sees him looking at me and smiles. "I was actually headed here and fell and he was the only one that bothered to help me. He noticed that I was hurt by how I moved and actually showed concern even though he was going through his own shit." I tell her. "So you literally just met and picked him up?" she asks. "Momma, you know I don't lie to you." I tell her. "Well, has he been good to you so far?" she asks. "Yes he has." I tell her. "Good. Well, Juan, as unconventional as it seems, welcome to the family." she tells him and he takes my hand and laces his fingers with mine. "She's been as good to me as I have her." he tells her. We talk a little more and she tells us "Family dinners are still on Sunday nights. I better see both of you here." she tells me. "Need me to bring anything?" I ask. "You know better than that. I will make sure my kids are fed. And that includes you now too Juan." she says and he says "Thank you Marla. That means a lot." We leave and get into the car, him driving, and he says "Thank you." I look at him and he says "You could have put me out anywhere but you kept me with you. Why?" he asks. "I don't know. Just, feels normal with you if that makes sense." I tell him honestly. "It does. Trust me." he says before taking my hand and lacing his fingers with mine again.