Chapter Seven

Sassi

" What do you think? "

I hold my breath as the little girl looks around her new room.

" I like it. " Bri says while circling around with her finger on her chin making me roll my eyes. " It's bigger than my room back home. And I have a tree to look at out of the window... Can we paint the walls? "

Shaking my head I give her a side hug. " Sure, kid. Any color you want. "

At least she likes the house. Hearing the patter of fast-approaching footsteps I almost cringe. What did I just do?

" Me too? " I hear before I see.

" Anything but black, Bridg. " I groan out.

I know, I know. Why'd I let an escor- I mean ex escort not only come to Charming but move in with me as well? Let's just say she caught me in a weak moment.

Flashback

" Please take me with you! "

This begging started the second we walked through the door. Damn, Jury for telling everyone before I had the chance.

" Bridgette... For the millionth time- " I say while helping Bri pack her things.

She doesn't let me deny her again. " I'll help out with Bri! We have fun, right? "

" Don't bring me into this. " Bri chimes in as she dumps her sock drawer into a duffle bag.

Bridgette rolls her eyes and refocuses. " Please, Sassi, I gotta get out of here before I'm all used up. "

Grunting I look her over. At almost twenty she's right. If she stays she'll be picked over by twenty-five. Hell, I remember being totally against her coming to work for Jury. She was freshly eighteen and the greenest to the lifestyle I'd ever seen. My recommendation was not to hire her flat out. Jury and the brothers had other ideas. They took it to church and voted unanimously.

Perverts. All of them.

Groaning loudly I know she has worn me down. " If I take you with me you will make a complete life change. You get out of escorting, no stripping, and or crow eating. You get a job and help the club when necessary. "

" Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! " She squeals before throwing her arms around me.

Regretting my decision already I tell her, " go get packed we leave at noon with or without you ".

End Flashback

So here we are. One little dysfunctional family. At least I know Bridgette is loyal to me if only that. Plus, even if that weren't the case, she fears me enough to never cross me therefore the club.

" Okay, let's unpack quickly so we can get to the welcome home dinner the club is having for us. Gemma will not appreciate us being late. "

TM

Pulling up to Teller-Morrow we see that the parking lot is at full capacity. Tables are set up, music is playing, and the scantly clad Crow eaters are on ten already. I almost want to turn around and head home for Bri's sake... But the unfortunate reality is she has seen much worse in her almost eleven years.

" Ooh, who is he? " Bridgette coos damn near drooling.

Looking at Juice I shake my head. " Remember the stipulations of you being here in Charming, Bridg. "

" I know, I know... " She was sighing. " That doesn't mean I can't look. "

Look is all she can do. " That one is definitely off limits anyhow. "

Jaycee might think she's fighting a battle over her feeling for Chibs, but she's in straight-up denial over how head over heels in love she is with the Puerto Rican IT specialist. Best friends my ass. They're both in denial. Marriage and kids are definitely on the way for them. Just as soon as we get Uncle Clay to lift the " no fraternizing with kuttes " rule. It's a stupid rule anyway. I help out with the club and I'll be damned if anyone tells me I can't love who I want.

" Bri! We're going to play basketball. " Ellie calls from the small hoop they have set up.

Bri looks up at me and I nod. " Okay! "

" Stay where we can see you. " I call after her.

They both shout, " we will "!

" Where's Donna, Ope? " I ask looking around for her.

He shrugs it off. " She has to work overtime but said she'll catch up with you later this week. "

" Good. " I say nodding. " You both should bring the kids over to the new house and we'll have dinner. "

Again, he shrugs it off. " Sounds good to me. We'll bring dessert. "

" Speaking of dessert, Bobby made your favorite. " Dad tells me while pointing to the table with the food.

I can feel my sweet tooth poke up a bit. " Red velvet? "

" In cupcake form just for you, baby. " He promises.

Looking around I try to find Charming's own Elvis impersonator. " Where is Bobby? "

" Probably face first in some gashes snatch. " Piney wasps out.

I mentally cringe. " Not a mental image I needed, but thanks, old-timer. "

...

I catch up with Jaycee later in the night only to see her looking toward the parking lot in irritation.

" Who the fuck is that? "

" Hmm? " I ask before looking in that direction only to smack my lips in irritation.

There Bridgette is all in Juice's face. And of course, he's eating the attention all up. Why shouldn't he enjoy the perks of being a full member after all? He isn't the one that made a deal with me, she is.

" That's Bridgette. " I say looking back at Jayce. " A girl I'm mentoring. "

Growling when Bridgette's hands lay flat on his kutte she says, " then I'll be expecting that you'll keep her in check when it comes to my best friend "?

" You know I got your back, Jayce. " I say not liking where this could potentially go.

She gives Bridgette one more side eye before pushing off of the wall and walking away. Great work Bridg. Just great. You so don't want to be on Jaycee Teller Whitney's bad side. What happened to just looking?

Walking up I tap her on the shoulder. She turns around and her face sours. " We need help with clean up. "

" Okay. " She says before getting out of my face and fast.

Crossing my arms I give Juice a knowing smile. " Look at you getting at the new redhead before anyone else can. "

He grins like the Cheshire cat and rubs the back of his neck. " Yeah, well... "

" I'm not usually one to get in a brother's business you know that. " I start off not sure how to word this.

Shaking his head he says, " spit it out, Sass ".

" Bridgette is trying to turn her life around. " I tell him straight up. " She isn't a Crow Eater or Sweet Butt. Don't go treating her like one. "

His shoulders slump and I can tell he has been deflated. Not what I wanted. " She's a cool girl. I don't look at her like that. "

" Good. And while we're talking, keep it away from Jaycee. I know how both of you feel. " I put my hand up just as he's about to deny it. " And I'll be damned if you fuck up your future relationship. "

I clearly see all of the wrinkles on his forehead when he asks, " what future relationship? You know the rule. "

Poor boy. He thinks he's doomed to go without the woman he loves forever. Uncle Caly is an evil bastard sometimes.

" Give it some time. At some point, they'll see how ridiculous that rule is. " I promise him.

He purses his lips unbelievingly. " Even if they did, she wants Chibs, not me. "

" No, she thinks she wants Chibs. " I clarify. " He's sturdy and reliable. You on the other hand... She spends the majority of her time trying to convince herself that being platonic is better because you've been friends so long. She's wrong. "

I remember when Jaycee first started talking about Juan Carlos. We were fifteen and on one of our three-hour long-distance phone calls. ( Jury used to throw fits over the bill ) She was always talking about their many adventures and how much fun they were having. Whenever he was brought up, I knew she had a huge shit-eating grin on her face.

That's why I lobby so hard for the two of them. Bridgette could be some fun... But Juice and Jaycee are endgame for sure.

" I wish I was as sure as you. " He admits softly.

Clapping my hand on his shoulder I say, " you'll see ".

The Next Day

Pulling into the driveway of Opie and Donna's house is like going back in time. Donna grew up in this house. When I lived here the three of us, Jaycee included, had many sleepovers and shared many secrets. Including the one of her crushing on Opie. Yes, they were like magnets even when we were kids.

Unbuckling we both get out and the front door opens right away. Oh, she cut her hair short, cute. " Hey, Donna. "

" Wow, Sassi, look at you! " She says rushing down. " It has been ages since we've seen you around these parts. Sorry, I couldn't make it to your welcome home dinner. "

We embrace and it almost feels like we're back to our tween selves. Damn, I really have missed her. Pulling back I smile. " It's okay, I get it and I appreciate that you're taking Bri for the day. " I say while patting the young girl's shoulders. " How about you head inside so me and Miss Donna can talk? I'll see you later today, okay? "

" Okay, I love you. " She says hugging me around the middle.

Not gonna lie, I'm still not used to her saying that to me. " You too, kid. Have fun. "

When she's out of hearing distance I sigh. " I don't think I'll ever get used to being a parent. Thanks again for watching her today. "

" Are you kidding? All I hear from Ellie is how Bri is her new best friend. " She says before looking around to make sure the kids are busy. " She has had a bit of trouble making any with Opie being away and everyone in town knowing. "

I nod knowing exactly what she's going through. " I understand. It's been just about the same for Bri with her mama being an escort. "

" Yeah, I heard about what happened that got her placed with you. Awful shit. " She says with empathy.

That's why Donna has always been my best friend in Charming. Jaycee doesn't count, she's family. " She was really trying to get her life together. She enrolled in community college and was one semester away from graduating. It's sad but it happens every day in that lifestyle. "

" That why you brought the redhead? " She asks with hesitation.

Did I mention how well she knows me? The girl- no woman can read me like a book.

I nod sadly. " Yeah... Bridgette was raised in the system. One of the younger hangers-on brought her to a party at Indian Hills when she was just about to turn eighteen. You know how it is... Once she saw how the club took care of its own she wanted in. Little did she know they only wanted her for one thing. And she agreed to it all so she had people that " care " about her ".

" Sounds like you're the only person that does. It's crazy the knack you and Jaycee have for bringing home Strays. " She says with a small smile, no doubt thinking about Juice.

I laugh and shake my head. " Yeah... But she drags them home, they just kind of find me. "

" Maybe Charming will be good for her... " She says before her eyes go wide. " Just keep her the hell away from Cara Cara. "

My entire body cringes. I completely forgot about Luanne's porn studio. Yes, definitely have to keep a distance between her and the retired porn star/director.

" That's the last place she needs to be exposed to. I'm going to have to keep my eye on her just like Bri I can just feel it. " I groan out while looking back at Bridgette who's seated in the front seat.

Chuckling, Donna says, " good luck with that ".

My car horn honks scaring the daylights out of both of us. Looking back again I give Bridgette a " what the fuck? " look. She points to her wrist and I pull my phone out to check the time.

" Shit, I gotta go. " I tell Donna. " Gemma is going to chew me out if Bridgette is late on her first day. She already had reservations about hiring her to begin with. "

She nods in understanding. " Go on, she'll be fine. "

" Tig will be picking her up a little after five. " I tell her before giving another quick hug.

She hugs back and lets go. " Now that you're back don't be a stranger. You niece and nephew miss their Aunt Sassi. "

" I'm not going anywhere for a while. They'll get their quality time. " I promise.

Bridgette honks the horn again making me cringe. " I'll see you later. "