Mayhem (Deathstalkers MC #5)(35)

"So, any idea what you want to do?" I turn to see Lucy looking at me. 

I shrug, not really knowing what people do when they are hanging out. The only person I've been around for four years has been Dylan. No friends, no family, no one to talk to. After we were married for the first year he had successfully isolated me from everyone.

She moves closer to me and my breath seizes. "I have an idea. How about we eat a bunch of junk food, watch trash TV and I can answer any questions you might have?"

My breath returns with a whoosh. She's being kind, thoughtful. There are likely a million other things a woman as beautiful as Lucy could be doing on a day like today, but she's chosen to spend time with me. Not only that, she wants to do something that'll make me happy. My eyes prick with tears. "I'd like that."

I walk into the kitchen and she follows. "Did you want me to make you something? I'm not sure what Cutter has." I want to impress her. I want her to like me.

"No, no cooking today. This is going to be a lazy day." She walks over and opens the drawer full of takeout menus without any hesitation. She must know this place well. "Best junk food day stuff is never homemade." She looks over the menu. "How about nachos, wings, and some cheese fries?"

"That sounds good." At least she didn't ask me what I wanted.

She pulls out her phone and calls the restaurant. While she is on the phone I walk back to the living room. I pass a leather jacket hanging on one of the chairs and can't help but stare at it.

The same symbol is on the jacket and it says "Property of Whip." I reach out my fingers and stroke the smooth leather.

"It's called a property jacket." Her voice sounds behind me and I jump. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

Property? The word has a distinct meaning with me but a part of me feels like it's different for her.

She opens the fridge and sticks her head inside. "So has Cutter given you the basic MC info? The guys usually have some speech they give that is no help and leaves you with more questions than answers." She grabs two cans of soda and kicks the fridge door shut with her heel, carrying the drinks over to the couch and sitting down.

I join her and tuck my feet under me, glancing at her out of the corner of my eye. She is just so confident, so comfortable in her own skin. I'm in awe. It takes me a moment to answer. "He told me a few things, I don't know much about it."

She rolls her eyes and laughs. "I figured. Do you want to know more? I don't want to bore you if it isn't something you're interested in."

"No, I'd like to know more about it."

"Okay, that"-she points to the leather jacket-"is a property patch. When a brother decides he wants you, he claims you. It's an honor in the club because they don't do it without putting thought into it. After they claim you, you get a property patch, which basically lets all the brothers in the club and everyone outside of it know that you're off limits." She blows out a big breath. "When you're with a brother you're referred to as their old lady. Most of us hate the term, but it's actually a form of respect."

"Cutter mentioned that term." I laugh at the fact that they call her an old lady.

She leans forward and grabs the remote, flicking through the channels, not stopping on a single one for more than a few seconds. I take a sip of the soda, coughing when the bubbles tickle the inside of my mouth. It's been so long since I've had anything other than water. I forget the simple things. We sit in comfortable silence for a while: Lucy trying to find something to watch, me sipping at my drink. She eventually lands on a channel and tosses the remote back on the table.



       
         
       
        

"How you doing?" Her head tilts as she studies me.

I take a breath, part of me not sure how to answer, and the other half not wanting to burst this bubble or "normal" that has formed around us.

"Sometimes something as simple as saying the words out loud can help. I know we don't know each other that well, but I can relate to what you're going through more than you know. When I came to the club, I was just as lost as you are right now." Her hand runs through her hair and her eyes seem distant. "The men who hurt you the most aren't always the ones who mark your body-it's the ones who mark your mind. Only way to get those assholes out of your head forever is to push them out. You can't do it alone. Support is important because people can guide you when you're learning how to become whole again. No one can fix this for you, but you. That doesn't mean people won't try to help you along the way."