Cadence Reflection (Wheels & Hogs Book 2) (7 page)

Cadence glares at Des for a minute, then without a word to anyone, turns and walks to the garage, slamming the door behind him.

I
turn to head back to my office when I hear Dee Dee’s smart-ass remark, "Well it's nice of you to join us today, Des. Should I assume that you’re late because of your long night with the town whore, Katie? And what did I just walk in on between you and Cadence?” 

My head jerks back at the animosity in her voice.  What the hell is up her ass today? After my run-in with Cadence and the shit with Trinity, I don’t need Dee’s attitude.

As she makes her way to the counter, Wolf moves to grab the bags and coffee she’s carrying. I watch as she gives him a smile and says, “Thanks, honey.” Wolf smiles back, caressing her arm and giving her a wink.  I watch their interaction, stunned to my core as my blood starts to boil. What the hell is going on with these two?  In all the years that they have worked together, I have never seen the two of them so friendly with each other, “Katie wanted me to tell you she had a great time last night. She thought you were a little rough with her but she really enjoyed it. Oh, and if you find her bra, just give her a call so she can come around to pick it up.” 

Everyone starts hootin’ and howlin’ in the office. I should have been prepared for the shit storm known as Katie. My rejection of her wanting to be something more is causing her to lash out at Dee and that’s a problem. Worst of all, I kissed Dee last night. She had no idea that Katie had been there, or that I ended things with Katie last night, but it doesn’t matter. I fucked up.

Since this is something I will have to work out with Dee in private, I decide I need to get back to business, “Eat your lunch. Once all of you are done, we’re having an employee meeting so I can get some shit straight around here.  This is not only my business, but also more importantly, my life. Secondly, I need to get your take on something I have been working on for Doc and Fern so let’s get shit moving.”  Once I say what I need to say, I turn and walk into my office, slamming the door behind me.

I sit down and think on the situation at hand. I know Cadence only ever thinks with his dick, but after the way he treated that girl, leaving her humiliated and worried about her fate caused me to lose my mind.  Nevertheless, no matter what I know, I had no right to put my hands on the kid.  I have no idea what came over me. I have never touched another human being in such a way.  Cadence did something I found revolting, but I let my anger get the best of me.  Now to top it all off, I have Dee Dee pissed off and telling everyone in the office about my personal business.

All I can do at this point is wait and talk about everything in the meeting.  I put my head in my hands and try to breathe deeply to calm down. All I can do is try to handle one situation at a time.



For what feels like only minutes of trying to find some sort of calm, I hear a knock on the door but before I can say anything, in walks Dee, looking anything but happy to be here, “Can you please approve these orders before I send them out? They’re pretty expensive parts so Wolf said to ask for your approval and sign off.” 

I just stare at Dee until I finally find my voice and ask, “What’s going on, Dee Dee?  After last night, I thought we were going to consider the possibility of moving forward with one another.”

She glares at me with disgust as she says, “What could you possibly be talking about?” Coming around the desk, I walk towards her as she starts moving away from me, “Just approve the orders, Des, so I can be out of your way.” 

I ignore her, getting in her space as I back her against the file cabinet. I look at her and see that her face is flushed and her breathing is heavy and drawn out. It hits me then that she is aroused, not quite as mad as she wants me to think. I feel the heat coming off her body as I brush up against her, feeling her nipples poking through her blouse onto my chest. 

Dee looks up at me once she gets herself under control and smirks at me, “Katie not enough for you last night, Des? Did you fuck her before or after I left?” 

I grab her head in both of my hands, making my intentions clear as I stare at her full lips and whisper, “No, Dee. She isn’t enough because she isn’t you.” I slowly lower my head and touch my lips to hers.  I wait, not wanting to force myself on her. I slowly move my lips against hers, lightly running my tongue over her full lower lip as she slowly relaxes against me, letting out a long desire filled moan.  As I put more pressure on her lips, she opens them immediately so I take full advantage as the kiss becomes demanding and I hungrily devour her mouth. I’m making a statement, showing her how much I want her and what I feel for her. I feel her shaking as she shoves me away when someone knocks on the door.

“Boss! When are you going to have this meeting? We all got shit to do, and have you seen Dee Dee? No one knows where she is,” Cadence yells through the door. At least he doesn’t decide to just walk on in.

“Give me ten minutes. We’re in the middle of something, then we’ll be out,” I yell back at Cadence.

I grab Dee and hold her tight and tell her, “Sugar, don’t panic. Don’t you dare think too much about this and make this moment into something cheap. This is one of the best days of my life.” Then I kiss her lightly on the lips and give her time to get her emotions in check.

“I’m not Katie, Des. I’m not some town tramp for you to use when you need me.”

“I can’t believe that you would even think that I would look at you in that way. I have nothing but respect for you Dee, baby. I can see that we have a lot to discuss, sugar, and now just isn’t the time. How would you feel about coming over tonight, away from all this drama and just talk? Can we do that?”  She takes a moment to think about it, then shakes her head in agreement. Once she is ready, I pull her in for a hug, “Don’t make any decision until we talk about the possibilities of our future tonight. I want us to spend some time together and start to get to know each other again, if that works for you.” 

Dee leans away from me and stares at my face, looking for something. I don’t know what it is she finds, but she says, “I’m willing and open to having a serious conversation with you about the possibility of taking anything between us further. The kids will be out tonight, so tonight would be good.” I let the breath I’d been holding out and feel so much relief that she’s willing to hear me out and keep an open mind.

Now that I have this situation under some sort of control, it’s time to get this meeting started.

A
s I head down the hallway to the open office in front of the building, I hear a discussion going on about why I’m in such a pissed off mood.  Wolf thinks it has something to do with Katie and my night before.  As he says this, I hear Dee Dee make a funny noise in her throat.  That’s something I need to clarify for her, that Katie is not an issue.

Cadence interjects, telling everyone that I’m mad because he was in my office, screwing a girl on my desk when I walked in.  Doc doesn’t say anything as he sees me come into the doorway – quietly, just standing there watching and listening to their interaction, “Can I join in? Or am I only allowed to listen to ya’ll talk about me behind my back?” 

Wolf interjects with a smirk on his face, “Actually it’s to your face, as you’re standing right there,” I grin at Wolf’s smart-ass comment while flipping him the bird. I’m glad that the mood has lightened.

I look around and realize that everyone is here except for Dee’s kids. As if she can read my mind, she tells me, “The kids are on their way.” 

I nod and walk further into the room and announce to everyone, “Let’s wait a couple more minutes for the youth of our crew.”

As everyone finishes their lunch, they continue to bicker back and forth with each other.  I listen and realize that I love when everyone is here together in a group like this.  It makes this horde of people feel like a real family as they share their lives and mess around with each other.  I hear the bell over the door ring so I turn around and see Jagger and Daisy entering the building and  they both smile my way. I wait for them to have a seat before I begin, “Is Fern going to make it in, buddy?” 

Doc looks up, shrugs his shoulders and replies, “As far as I know.  We talked about it this morning and she was feeling pretty good.  She was going to have the neighbor drive her here and then we would go home together when I finished. I wanted to give her some time to visit with Dee Dee and the girls.” 

Just as I think we will have to wait a bit more, I look through the windows and see Doc’s neighbor Bud’s Ford F-150 pulling into the lot.  Doc walks out to help Fern out of the big truck, thanking Buddy. He gives her a sweet kiss before they begin walking hand in hand into the building

Once everyone is settled, I clear my throat and look down at the stack of papers in my hands, but before I start I need to make my apology to Cadence, “Kid, I owe you an apology for earlier.  No matter what, no man has the right to put his hands on another man, and I have always tried to instill that in all of you here.  I don’t know what got into me, but know that I am sorry. I have so much going on right now, but that is no fucking excuse. I promise it will never happen again,” then I remember, “Holy shit. Forgot my language, kids. Sorry about that.”

I look back at Cadence as he gives me a nod before looking away, “Now on that note, I have to put my foot down with you guys regarding your activities at the workplace during and after business hours. Before you say anything, tell me, Cadence. What would you have done if it had been Daisy, Willow, or even Dee Dee who walked in on you this morning?

“What did I miss?” Daisy asks, as everyone yells, “Nothing!”  

“Anyway, I know you are all young and having fun but starting today, that shit will not happen again. Not here.  Not during work, not after work, or on the weekends. I know ya’ll have keys and such, so don’t make me take them away from you or put cameras around the shop just to make sure you listen to what I tell you.  Find another place to make your shit happen.  I am dead serious about this, so next time I find one of you hound dogs in this building doing shit you know not to do, we will have a problem. Understood?”  I hear giggles coming from the women as I watch my entire crew nod their heads in understanding. 

“Good. Glad to get that handled.  Now, for the real reason we’re having this meeting,” I look to Doc to take the lead.

Doc looks around at everyone and without hesitation, he drops the bomb, “Unfortunately, Fern’s treatments are not working. The last session of chemotherapy hasn’t stopped the growth of the cancer. In fact, by what they found on the scans, it actually looks to be growing and spreading.” 

The mood in the room changes instantly, going deathly quiet. Everyone seems shocked, struggling, as they don’t know what to do or say.  Fern is softly crying so I gently hand Fern off to Doc, telling him to sit with her while I finished.  Fern raises her eyes to mine and I see that ghost of a smile on her face, making my chest feel heavy with emotion.  Everything she can’t say is shining in her eyes; gratitude, trust and love.

“This is not the news that Fern wanted to share with all of us, but we are her family so we need to help out in any way we can. Besides her cancer, their bills are piling up and their home has recently gone into foreclosure.”  At this news, there are gasps as the girls’ hands come to their mouths in shock. They all know how much Doc and Fern love their little home, “Doc and I have had numerous conversations with the bank and we’ve tried everything, but they won’t budge.  Unfortunately, with everything going on, including all the expenses for Fern’s treatments, Doc staying in hotels to be close to the hospital are adding on to those bills, which is another thing causing their house payments to fall short. Doc has been working side jobs when he has the time and selling whatever he has of any value, so when he came to me, I offered to put the business up for collateral, but of course he and Fern wouldn’t hear of it.  He only came to me about this because he wanted to ask if they could rent that tiny cabin back in the woods, and that’s when I told him that we would come up with a better solution. Besides, that cabin isn’t fit for the wildlife in the area, let alone someone like our Fern who is dealing with cancer.”

Taking a moment to fill my lungs, I continue, “I have thought on this, making calls to some friends and acquaintances, and this is what we all came up with. Doc and I had a conversation a few weeks ago because before this meeting happened, I needed him to know my plans; to make sure I had his blessing to go forward with it.  After we spoke, Doc had a conversation with Fern, giving her the basic information to see if she was on board with it. We also wanted to know if she was up to it, physically and mentally. I’ve been trying to work on this by myself, but now I need the help of all of you. Hopefully everyone will be willing to step up and make this work for Doc and Fern.” I give everyone a look and see they are all paying very close attention.

“After talking to the Asphalt Raiders out West, my MC Brothers, Bear and Stash came up with a perfect way to help Doc out.  We are planning a Charity Ride in Fern’s honor and all proceeds will go to the Murphy’s to help them not only keep their home, but to keep them out of bankruptcy,” At this announcement, Fern’s shoulders start to tremble as she breaks into sobs. Doc holds her close, but I can see the tears in his eyes too.  When I look around, I’m met with tears from the women, while the “men” are trying to look anywhere but at one another to keep anyone from seeing the emotions running across their faces.  I try to explain to all of them that this is a huge undertaking, and how they would have support from not only the Asphalt Riders MC, but from town folks and businesses. To finish up, I explain that other MC Clubs that I’ve been affiliated with over the years are on board and already working on getting the word out.

“This will bring in a lot of people from out of state to our little town. Tranquility, Indiana will be bombarded during this Charity Ride, which in turn will benefit businesses and the entire town.  Stash has already started working this out with his MC and brothers from other clubs.  They all know Fern’s story so they all want to help and be involved.”