"Rosie is giving you the next few days off anyway. I made sure of that." She frowns at me and drops her purse onto the counter.
"Quit fucking telling Rosie to send me home. I NEED my job, which is the reason I got the damn thing. How am I supposed to make money if you're constantly making it so that I'm not on shift?"
"I told you I'd take care of the money for the nights you miss."
"That's not the point. I'm not here to free load and I don't want the others thinking I get special treatment."
"Who gives a fuck what they think?"
"I do, so STOP." She pokes me in the chest with her fingernail as she walks by. Her long dark hair is brushing across her back as she walks. "I'll just stay here, so you two can do your thing. Just bring me back something." She keeps walking until she's out of the room.
"Damn Bro. You pissed her off." I look at my sister, confused. How the fuck am I the bad guy here? I'm trying to do everything to make sure these girls get everything they need and shit.... I wish someone would tell me I don't need to work. I'd have a great fucking time doing what the hell I want, instead of dealing with all the business of the club.
"Oh well. She'll have to get the fuck over herself." I take a few steps toward the hall she just went down. I'll find her and deal with this.
"Evan, STOP. Come with me to lunch. We can just bring her something back and let her deal with the shit she's been dealing with."
"What's she dealing with? Do you need me to help with anything?"
"Come on. You can't fix everything. Some things need time. You can't just magically give her that and make it all better." Piper locks the door behind us, and we start to walk away, but my mind is back there in that apartment. What is Piper talking about?
"I can try."
"Have you always tried to fix things for everyone?" Her question strikes me oddly. I think back over my life and realize she's right. It's who I am. I take care of people who need me.
"Yes. What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, big guy. Don't be so offended. You just might have to learn to give a little space when it comes to some of us. Let us learn on our own a little." I cross in front of my truck just as she finishes her ridiculous logic.
She sits in the passenger seat as I step up into the driver's seat and I decide it's best to set this conversation to the side. I'm not sure how to tell her that I'll be any other way than the way I am and I don't see my sister budging either.
"Where am I taking you?"
"There's this one restaurant I'd like to try about three miles down Yale Avenue. You up for something new?" Is this a trick question? No. I'm up for the usual shit I know I love. I look over at her with that look on my face, only to see her smile and bat her eye lashes at me in a teasing manner. Fuck.
"Tell me when we get close." I hope I don't regret this.
"So tell me.... what took you and Tori so long last night? It seems like the two of you hit it off." I hit the button to turn on the music, trying not to be completely obvious that I'm not wanting to talk about it.
"So this is how we're gonna be?" She turns in the seat to stare at me.
"What?"
"Evan... Did you fuck my friend?" Shit. She's so god damned straight forward. How am I supposed to lie?
"Why do you care?"
"Oh, I don't. I just wanted to watch you squirm. She already told me the details." Her laughter fills the truck just before she points to my turn. "Here. This is where it's at. Marilyn K's." I see frilly curtains in the window and a pink awning.
"What the fuck kind of restaurant is this?"
"You're gonna love it, Evan. I think they have quiche and shit." I start the truck, back up and pull back out of the parking lot.
"Fuck your quiche. I'll pick the place."
"What? You're so closed minded. It could be great."
"Or it could be shit. I'll take my chances on this burger place I know."
"Fine, but you owe me a quiche lunch."
"Whatever. Put it on my tab. Do I look like a guy who eats quiche?"
"You never know. You may like it. Brother, you've got to try new things once in awhile."
"I try new things all the time."
"Pussy doesn't count, you know." She smiles at me as she steps out of the truck, slamming the door to make her point.
"I can't help if I like what I fucking like." I open the door to my favorite hamburger joint. The owners know me here and have proven to be great friends of my MC. I've known them for years.
"Mornin' Blade. The usual?" Franny meets us as we find a booth to sit at.
"Yes and my sister here would like to order."