CHAPTER 3
"Jesus Christ. What did he do now?" I hear someone grumble next to me. I turn and squint my eyes in confusion. A woman with brown hair, who looked around my age, was staring intently at the ring. She wore a black fitted shirt with dark jeans and strappy leather high heels. Her arms were folded as she scoffed at Clay, I'm assuming.
At first I thought she was talking to me. But then Happy answered her question.
"Just drunk and acting out with Kozik," Happy twisted the truth. Well it wasn't exactly a lie, I shrug to myself as I think.
"Actually-" Lacey pops out before I push her back to shut up.
Something about this lady screamed a potential fight if Lacey told her what really happened.
"Actually what?" She whipped, hands on her hips. I came in between her and Lacey when the woman decided to walk closer to my naive friend.
Happy nudged us and pointed to the ring as they started fighting. We were distracted after that, thankfully.
"Who's that?" I whisper again to Happy as the woman cheers for Clay.
"Gemma," he states. "Mother charter's Queen," he adds on. I make a confused face before putting it all together.
Clay's old lady. Well that makes a whole lot of sense.
I shake my head while thinking. I wish a nigga would do some shit like that to me, I spit sarcastically in my head.
I size Happy up and get lost in our potential future. I could see it now. Me getting pissed off at some crow eater he tries to fuck..or already did.
Ughh, no need for hypothetical situations, Nicole. Relax. It's not like you're going to marry him and have his kids or something.
I come back to reality and before I know it, a couple of punches later and it was over. Clay and Kozik each had a good amount of wounds before the whole thing was over. Clay nodded at Kozik as if they had a silent understanding while Gemma walked over to her man.
Kozik wouldn't mention anything to Gemma, in summary.
Bro code or some shit, I'm sure.
I sigh and make my way to Happy after we talk with Kozik briefly.
I sit down on the couch on his lap and rub his lower neck. His wavy hair was in the way some, but he didn't mind. He seemed to like the massage I was giving him by the way he was caressing my thigh. I leaned in to give him a sweet kiss on the cheek. He smiled and kissed me on the lips after. I blushed and he chuckled a little.
Gemma sits on a chair near us and starts a conversation. I looked to see where Clay was and he was on his way to the bathroom.
"So how did you two meet?" She nods at us. She took a sip of her drink as I replied. "Work," I kept it simple. I situated myself to face her more while still sitting on Happy's lap. He rubs his hands along my waist in a comforting matter. I lean back on him as Gemma almost spits out her drink.
"Work work?" She swallows her beer. Her eyes were as big as an eight ball while she looked at Hap for confirmation. I looked back between her and Happy.
He simply smirked and shook his head while Gemma breathed a sigh of relief. "Her job," he added.
What the fuck was so bad about his job anyway?
"I'm Gemma, by the way. Didn't exactly meet formally," She smiles at me. She starts to light a cigarette and offers me one.
"I'm Nicole. And no, thank you," I smile back.
Lorca comes over soon and leans down to whisper something to Happy before leaving.
He taps the side of my ass to make me get up. "I'll let yall talk for a bit. I'll be right back, girl," he bends down to give me a kiss.
I put my hand on the side of his cheek and give him a wet one. I'm met with Gemma's famous smirk after we were done.
I giggle at her face and scoot back on the couch to get comfy again.
"Work huh?" She asked me again. "Yeah. My friend and I work at Maxie's," I told her.
She made a shocked face before I cleared up her assumption about me. "I work as the bartender. Clothes on," I laugh to her. She laughs along with me and shrugs.
"Happy comes there with Kozik all the time. He's always trying to get me to go out with him, so I finally gave in. I'm glad I did," I look back at Happy.
"He likes you," she says to me as she smokes her cigarette. "Oh yeah?" I ask her to elaborate. "Yeahhh. He hasn't touched a crow eater in a while I hear. And he's been bothering you for attention. Two and two, baby," she says, putting together her facts.
She puffs on her cigarette again before pointing at Happy with it. "Trust me. That one gets what he wants. And if he's persistent, it means something, sweetheart," she puffs smoke out.
"Hmm," I nod and pick up a new beer that's next to us.
TEN MONTHS LATER
"Yes, Gemma. I promise I'll visit next time Happy is in Charming," I giggle over the phone. I was sitting on the bed, painting my finger nails. The TV was on but I wasn't paying much attention to it. It was hot as fuck today so I had the fan blasting as well.
Gemma and I became friends after that night we met. Whenever she's in Tacoma with Clay, we'll have our girl time. Lacey sure wasn't too excited about it though. But I was grown. I could be friends with whoever I wanted.
Happy was glad as well. His girl getting buddy buddy with the mother charter's Queen was good. At least that's what Kozik told me.
"Mhmm. I think he said he'll be back there in a couple of weeks," I reply to her. She was asking how soon we can link up and go shopping.
California did sound nice, come to think of it.
Happy and I were going very steady. Gemma would always call to chat and ask when I'm getting his crow. I would laugh it off but she was dead serious about it.
We were living in the same place now, so I guess her question wasn't too far fetched. Everyone knew I was Happy's and vice versa. But I didn't want to pester him about old lady stuff unless he asked me personally.
But Gemma acted like we were getting married or something.
"Okay, great. You'll be able to make it to Jax's birthday!" she beams about her son.
"Aww, of course we will," I smile and kiss Happy quickly as he strides into the room. He must have been working on his bike because he smelled of grease, even after he took his jumpsuit off.
"Will what?" He asks. I shoo him away cause I was trying to pay attention to what Gemma was saying next. "Okay. I will, I will," I promise to see her soon again. I laugh before we hang up.
"Gemma wants to see me when you go to Charming next time. Said it'll be around Jax's birthday too," I let him know.
"Sounds good," he starts stripping off his clothes. I continue to let my nails dry as he takes off more clothes.
I see more happy faces added to his abs. I frown and he notices right away. "Ya know, old ladies usually smile when they see their man taking his clothes off," he teases me. He was just in his boxers now.
He walks over and leans down to kiss me when I don't say anything. I swerve him and his lips hit my cheek.
"What's wrong now?" He starts getting angry. "Baby, that's four more," I told him. He knew exactly what I was talking about. It seemed like every week those fucking smiley faces were added on to his tan skin.
"Thought you said the shit doesn't bother you?!" He erupts. I cock my head to the side because of his unnecessary yelling. I blow on my nails to dry them more and completely ignore him. I lift my middle finger up to blow on the nail, flipping him off as well. The veins in his neck started to pop up when he saw me flip him off.
"Nicole," he grumbles. "This close, girl," he pinches his fingers close together to warn me about my behavior and potential punishment. "Oh, sorry. I'm just counting all the ways you got me fucked up if you think you can yell at me like that," I look at him dead in his black eyes.
"Pshh," he waves me off.
"First off, I never said I liked it either. And second, you can forget getting any of this ass tonight with that attitude," I continued.
"I can get some ass tonight. Just might not be yours," he huffs while picking out new clothes to wear after his shower. "Oh fuck off, Happy!" I throw the bottle of nail Polish remover at him. He catches it, "Ladies first."
"Ladies first," I mimick him with wild eyes. He can't help but laugh a little before tackling me on the bed. "No, Hap! I just dried them," I protested as he slobbered my neck down. I ended up moaning his name and forgetting about my nails soon after that. Guess I lost this battle.
Two rounds later and I was spent. Our second session was in the shower. So my hair was a complete frizzy and curly mess. I threw it up in a bun before falling on the bed and sleeping. Happy said he had to go back to the clubhouse so I kissed him goodbye after and took a nap.
Three hours pass by before I wake up again. I was slumped, I think to myself as I yawn and stretch. I adjust my cami as I sit up in bed. I check the clock and realize I'm late. I didn't work at Maxie's anymore, if that's what you're thinking. Hap didn't like his woman working when he could easily provide. "It's how I was raised," he would tell me. He didn't want me lifting a finger unless it was old lady duties. I didn't mind it that much. It was a new experience for me, not working. But I was more than happy to help the club out with whatever they needed.
The crow eaters knew who I was and respected me now. Lacey was Kozik's old lady as well. The same respect went to her too. Well..most of the crow eaters anyhow. One of them got under my damn skin. She had a problem with my pigment, if you get my drift. She never did outright say it. But trust me. My people of color will understand me when I say, you just know a racist when you meet one. And I got to observe that hoe pretty well. She was fake as ever. Physically and mentally.
Happy knew her and I didn't get along so he would make sure we steered clear of each other.
I was late bringing Happy his food to work. I told him earlier that I would stop by and give him lunch. He was probably hungry as a dog by now. And angry.
I get dressed in a tank top and short shorts since it was so hot outside today. I wet my long hair a little and fluffed it out since it was in a bun before. I slip into my wedges and grab my wallet, shades, and keys before going into the kitchen. I grab the bag of food I made for him already and was on my way to the clubhouse. I made it there within ten minutes, all with the help of my 69 mustang. It was midnight with black leather interior. Hap always teases me by saying I love my car more than him.
I make my way to the garage and see Karie, one of the crow eaters, working. She did a lot of secretary shit with some of the other old ladies. I help them out sometimes too since I have nothing but time on my hands.
"Hey, have you seen Hap?" I ask Karie. I see Lisa, the racist crow eater I mentioned earlier. I completely ignore her presence and continue on with Karie. She was filing some papers for the garage. "Oh, he's out back with the guys. They're on break right now. Go on back there and see your man, sweetie," she smiles. "Okay, thanks," I smile back and leave.
"Lisa!" I hear Karie scowl when I walk away. Mhmm, bitch already talking shit and I barely left.
"What was that?" I pop my curly head back in the office. "Nothing," she gave me a fake smile. I walk fully into the office and slowly take my shades off. I drop the food on the chair by the door and make my way close to Lisa. "Listen, cunt," I start. She makes wide blue eyes at me and follows instructions. "I've had it with the bullshit nice attitude from you. I know you don't like me and I sure as hell can't stand your discriminating ass. So let's just make one thing clear. If I hear you so much as whisper about me and mine, I will cut you from pussy to ears, ya got that, sweetheart?" I grin right in her face. Karie is off to the side damn near in tears from wanting to laugh at her scared coworker.
"Yeah," she whispers in fear. "Okay, great!" I cheer up instantly and grab my shit to leave before I whoop her skinny ass. I put my shades back on and proceed about my day.
"Bye, Karie!" I give her an air kiss. She giggles, waving and I walk out of there like nothing happened. I walk further into the garage and stop when I see my man's body sticking out from under a car. His upper torso was under the car so he didn't see me from this angle. I walked closer, heels clicking against the floor as I move. I hear a low whistle and his chuckle when he caught sight of my chocolate legs from his perspective.
He immediately rolls out from the car and smiles. His hair was in a loose bun and out of the way while he worked. "Daaamn, baby. I know I asked for lunch but you didn't have to share it with the whole garage," he teases me about my outfit as he stands up, wiping his hands clean. "Hush!" I set the bag down and wrap my arms around him. I was closer to his height with these heels on so it was much easier wrapping my arms around him. He smirked and groped me before his hands met my waist. "I thought you were supposed to be on break," I give him a light kiss. "Yeah, yeah," he says before leaning down to kiss me again. "Mmm," I moan when he smacks my ass and grips it after.
Happy starts kissing my neck and whispering nasty shit in my ear when Donut pops up with a few prospects behind him. "Sheesh, Nicole. Where's our lunch?" He jokes and starts laughing. "Get the fuck outta here!" Happy yells, stopping his whispers. I giggle at Donut's expression and wave to him. He smiles and continues on his way with the newbies. One was looking too long for Happy's liking. He gave him a hard stare and the poor bastard hurried on his way with the rest of the group.
Happy chuckled at his reaction and leaned back down to kiss me more. I slapped his shoulder for being mean and kissed him back. He laughed in the kiss and we separated to talk. "So what'd ya bring me?" He asks as we walk to the benches.
"I brought you some turkey sandwiches with everything you like on them, chips, some apples, water and a beer." He kissed me on the cheek as we sat down and he open his bag up to eat. We made small talk as he ate his food and I stole some occasionally. He tried to smack my hand the first time but I gave him the look with my eyebrows that said, "Try it again and see what happens."
Before lunch was over, some of the guys came over to tell him they had to make a visit to someone important. By the look on their faces I knew what Happy was going to do. After they left, I started cleaning up his mess to leave as well. "Don't start," he began. "Start what?" I said airily. "Nicole," he groaned out. "What, Hap?" I turned around from the garbage to face him. "I know you don't like what I do, but this is what I chose. This is who I am in the club. I live, I die, I-" He started quoting his tattoo.
"Kill for your family," I finished for him. He pulled me into him and wrapped me in his arms. "I love this club, baby. And I love you. I'm protecting what's mine the only way I know how," he lifts my head up. "I know. I love you too," I wrap my arms around his head.
"Hap, let's go!" I hear. I sigh and look back at him. "Now give Daddy a kiss," he smirks. "Ughhh," I roll my eyes. He chuckles and grabs me roughly, attacking my lips with his. I bite on him, slipping in some tongue here and there. Both of his hands scoop my ass as we go at it. He moans a little before pulling away and grabbing on his crotch, "When I get back, take care of this for me."
"I will, baby" I kiss him once more.