Filthy Bastard (Grim Bastards MC) (14 page)

“I don’t know, but I think she’s being raped over and over again, still.” She shakes her head, tears shining in her eyes. “If you find out that I’m right, don’t tell me. Just kill the bastard that is hurting my friend.”

I don’t bother responding, just lift my chin at her and stomp out of the clubhouse.

Addy

WALKING THROUGH
the crowd, I pass out hundreds of hugs to my fellow classmates. Happy smiles are on everyone’s faces, but the only thing I can think is
thank fuck
. Graduation is finally here. Four years here has seemed like a lifetime. Well, that’s not exactly true. The first three years flew by, with Trix and I both getting our first taste of freedom. The last year, though, crawled by at a snail’s pace.

The end’s here now. I just have to get through today and the party my parents’ planned for tonight. Then, only a few more weeks and Alex will have the baby. According to her doctor, she could have the surgery as early as one week later. I pray he’s right.

After that, neither of us will have to deal with our parents or Blake again. I have no idea where we’re going to live or what we’ll do once the money we have is gone. I’m not stupid enough to the think my degree means an automatic job. I’ll figure out something, though, even if I have to sling hash at the Waffle House. Anything is better than continuing the way my life has been the past year.

As I continue through the crowd, locked in my own thoughts, I hear my name being called, “Addy. Hey, Addy!”

Trix’s voice has me stopping in my tracks and searching the crowd. I had no idea she was even coming, since she decided not to come back to school after the kidnapping. She was only doing it to learn more about finance so she could help out at her dad’s club. Now, she’s gonna be at Boz’s club doing the same, so she doesn’t need a fancy degree to do that.

When she told me she wasn’t coming back to school to take make-up finals, I didn’t send her an invitation to graduation or even call her and remind her of the date. I knew if I did, she would show up, and I didn’t want her to feel like she had to come for me. I didn’t want her to have one second of regret about her decision. To be honest, I haven’t talked to her at all. Any time anyone calls, besides Alex, I don’t answer the phone.

When my eyes finally land on Trix’s, she’s running toward me with Boz following closely behind her. A huge smile spreads across my lips as I realize that I’ve been lying to myself. I did want her here, needed her here. This is the last day of my old life, and it wouldn’t be complete without my best friend by my side.

She finally reaches me and wraps her arms around me to give me a hug. “I am so damn proud of you, Addy.”

“Thanks, Trix,” I mumble, giving her a squeeze.

“You look beautiful,” She says, after finally letting me go.

In an instant, the reality of the situation hits me. My parents, as well as my sister and Blake, are going to be here today. Trix has never been around Blake and me together. I made sure she was as far away as possible, whenever Blake was going to be around. My best friend knows me too well, and she’ll know that something is wrong.

“What are y’all doing here?” I ask, taking a small step backwards and pasting on a smile. “There was no reason for you to come.”

“What the hell do you mean? Did you really think I would miss seeing you walk the line for the final time? I know how hard you worked for this, Addy. I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she says, just as Boz steps up beside her.

He reaches out, laying a hand on my shoulder. “We’re proud of you, Red.”

Seeing the pride in their eyes brings tears to my eyes. “Thank you, both. It means a lot to me that you’re here.”

When my teary eyes clear up, I finally notice that Trix and Boz didn’t come by themselves. Brew and Smoke are also here, and both are staring straight at me. Brew’s eyes are full of anger but also questions as he stares straight at me. I haven’t seen him since I left him at the hotel. That night took the last bits of my self-respect.

My eyes jerk away, unable to keep looking at him. There’s no way I can handle seeing the look of disgust on his face. I know he has to think badly of me. Why wouldn’t he? I had sex with him, the most heartbreakingly beautiful thing I had ever done, and a few days later he finds me coming out of a hotel. He may not be sure what happened, or know that I hated it, but that doesn’t change the way it looked. If the shoe was on the other foot, I would think the worst.

“I’m glad you’re all here,” I say as I continue to ignore him. “It means a lot to me, that my friends are sharing this day with me.”

Trix smiles, grabbing me for another hug. “Wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

Smiling a real smile, I tell her, “It’s almost time to start, so I have to get in line.”

I turn to walk off as Trix shouts, “Okay, we’ll find you when it’s over.”

Nodding at her, I leave my best friend and the man I’m pretty sure I love behind and make my way to my seat. As I walk through my classmates, Brew fills my mind. His taste, his touch, even the sound of his voice dominates my thoughts. But when I sit down, my brain goes back to the goal—get this shit over with and start my life.

When the music finally starts to play, the girl sitting next to me grabs my hand. I don’t know her; she’s just another nameless face that I passed in the hallway a million times. Still, I can feel the nervous energy flowing through her. I give her hand a tight squeeze and listen to the speeches.

When the graduates stand up, I wait patiently for my name to be called. As I walk on stage, my legs feel like jelly. The dean hands me my diploma and turns to look at the crowd, the perfect photo op. My eyes go to the crowd, skimming over my parents and Blake, to land on my sister. I shoot her my best smile and allow her enough time to take a picture. Then, I look toward Trix and the boys. I do the same, only doing my best not to stare at Brew.

After the caps are in the air and the cheers of joy have died down, I make my way through the crowd. Of course, the first person I see is my mother. She is wearing a dress that probably cost more than my car payment, and she has her usual saccharine sweet smile on her face.

She comes straight to me, stopping a foot in front of me, and kisses the air near my cheek. “Your father and I are so proud of you, Adyson. We knew that you could do it, if you would just focus on what was important.”

With that, she steps further away and adds, “However, we will need to discuss your impromptu vacation before you receive your graduation gift.”

My stomach plummets at the implication. Alex and I both were expecting the ten-thousand dollar check that I would receive for graduating to help fund our escape. Even though my parents claim it’s a gift, we both know that it’s part of our inheritance from our grandparents. Without it, we will have to depend on what she can take from her and Blake’s shared account and what’s in my savings. That won’t be enough for us to live more than a few months.

As much as I want to scream at her, beg for the money, I simply nod my head. “Of course, Mom. We’ll talk about it later.”

“It’s my turn to hug the graduate,” Alex says as she waddles up to me, her huge stomach making her movements clumsy. She gives me the biggest hug that she can, with her stomach getting in the way.

“You looked so beautiful out there. I am so proud of you, Sis,” she whispers to me, giving me a final squeeze before stepping away.

Dad doesn’t move toward me, just nods his head and smiles at me, which is perfectly fine with me. I don’t want a fucking hug from him anyways. He may not be as cruel as my mother, but he is every bit as cold. He never intervened when Mom was pulling her shit with Alex or me. In my book, that makes him just as bad as her.

Without warning, Blake steps forward and wraps his arms around me. He squeezes tightly, making sure to put extra pressure on the ribs he punched over and over, only a week ago. I stand still as a statue, swallowing my gasp of pain. Keeping my arms to my sides, there’s no way in hell I’m willingly giving him a hug. He finally lets go when he realizes that it’s one-sided.

“Congratulations, Little Bit,” he says, a sleazy smile playing on his lips. “Now, it’s time to start your life. I have to wonder what you’ve got planned.”

I shake off the feeling of trepidation coursing through me and reply, “I’ll be starting my career as soon as possible, of course.”

His smile is firmly in place as he steps back. Looking past him, I see Trix and the guys have walked into our dysfunctional crowd. Of course, my best friend is looking between Blake and me, as if she can see the tension between the two of us. Her eyes jerk to me and narrow dangerously.

“Trix,” my sister says in a near shout, giving her a one armed hug. “I haven’t seen your face in forever and a day.”

“I’ve missed you, Alex.” Trix returns the hug, placing a hand over my sister’s rounded stomach. “I have a present for the baby. Remind me to give it to you tonight.”

Nervousness fills me as I take in the meaning of her words. “You’re coming to my parents’ graduation party?”

“No,” Trix says, moving toward me. “I’m coming to your graduation party, Addy. You’re the graduate, remember?”

“Yeah, you’re right,” I mumble, seeing Brew step up behind Trix and look at me. “You’re all more than welcome to come, but I doubt that it will be the kind of party you’re used to.”

“Adyson,” my mother says, in a tone she reserves for my sister and me only. “Of course, your friends are welcome to come. However, they need to understand there will be a firm dress code in place. Black tie only.”

“Mrs. Sloan, it’s good to see you again,” Trix says, the lie easily read on her face. “I hope you’re doing well.”

Blake walks forward, sticking his hand out to Trix. “You must be the notorious Ms. Slade I’ve heard so much about.”

Trix steps away, looking at his hand with distaste. “Yes, I am. I’m assuming your Alex’s husband, Blake. Right?”

She knows damn good and well who he is. She’s seen their wedding pictures, even listened to Alex moon on about him before we figured out how much of a douche he really was. Trix is just showing her biker bitch side now, making sure he knows she doesn’t like him. Why exactly, I can only guess.

“Yes, Patricia, this is Alex’s husband, Blake,” Mom answers, using the name she knows Trix hates to purposely rile my friend.

She then looks toward Boz and takes in his cut, with a catty smile on her face. “I’m assuming this is your little boyfriend.”

For the first time, Boz steps forward and adds to the conversation. “Haven’t been a boy in a long time, woman. I’m her man.”

“Okay, y’all. I need to get changed for the party.” I jump in, hoping to stop the verbal slap down I can see coming. “We can pick the introductions up when we get there.”

As I step away, I glance at Brew and my head spins. He is looking back and forth between me and Blake, and any hint of green has disappeared from his hazel eyes. The look of horror on his face causes my stomach to do somersaults. He knows; Brew knows about Blake and me. The look on his face tells me he somehow figured it out and is as disgusted as I am.

As a tear slides down my face, I turn and run away from my friends and family.

Brew

AFTER CHECKING
into the hotel, I look back at Boz and Smoke and motion toward the bar. They both lift their chins before I head that way. I need a drink after the day I’ve had. By the time the night is over, I’m probably gonna need ten.

Sitting at a booth, I motion for the waitress. “Bring me three of whatever domestic beer you have on tap, and a bottle of jack. Need three shot glasses to go with it.”

“Anything else,” she asks, sliding up next to me.

“Not tonight. In fact, unless our beers are empty, I’m gonna need you to stay the hell away from this booth until we’re gone,” I tell her plainly, not having the time to deal with this shit tonight.

Instead of getting pissed, she just smiles and heads back to the bar. I look around the room, making sure there isn’t anyone close, before I lean back and close my eyes. I spend a few seconds trying to put everything that I just learned in order, wanting to make sure that I wasn’t just making this shit up in my head. But no, I’m not. There was no missing the way Addy froze up when her brother-in-law touched her. There’s also no denying that he is the same man I saw coming out of the hotel.

The waitress is back with our drinks by the time Smoke slides into the booth. “Trix went to go get changed into her dress for the party. Boz walked her up to their room, but he said he’s coming right back down after he gets her there.”

Before we left the University of Tennessee’s parking lot, Boz made it clear that we were going to the party wearing our cuts. He wanted to see Addy’s bitch of a mom try to throw us out. Proving that she was born and bred to be an old lady, Trix completely agreed. She also promised that her dress was gonna make her old man proud.

I’ve worn my fair share of ties in my life, even wore a tux more than once. Still, they never felt right. My cut, though, feels like it was made just for me. That snotty bitch that Addy calls a mother isn’t gonna force me to take if off. It’s Red’s party, and she doesn’t mind my cut, so her mom can go fuck herself.

“What’s gotten you so pissed off?” he asks as he pours himself a shot of Jack and tosses it back. “You’ve been wired ever since we left the ceremony.”

“Everything about today has pissed me off,” I answer, taking a drink of my beer. “Did you see how Red wouldn’t even look at me?”

“Oh, she looked. She just made sure you didn’t see her while she was doing it,” Smoke replies, pouring me a shot. “But, there was something up with her. She was different, not the girl we got to know at the clubhouse at all.”

“Didn’t you listen to anything her mom said to Trix? Could you imagine that bitch accepting the girl we all got to know?” I ask, but don’t give him enough time to answer. “I can’t stand her fucking parents. Her mom might be a fucking bitch, but her dad’s worse. He just stood in the background and let his woman walk all over Addy without opening his damn mouth.”