Chapter 34
-:- CHAOS -:-
As I got ready for work this morning, I was shocked to see Victoria and Corey all geared up and riding out on the trike. What a way to get dropped off at school? I bet it raised some eyebrows.
Settled back into my range routine, I spend part of my morning dodging a client who I’d had a night with, well, an hour or two I should say. Noticing my dodging, Target found it all highly amusing and even tried to block some of my escape maneuvers. He wasn’t laughing an hour later when I had him in a stranglehold, the damn traitor.
Once I reached the office, I scheduled the next session my current client was booking and then headed up to the apartment, where I packed all my remaining gear and hauled it down to the truck.
On the way to the clubhouse, I stopped by the car dealer's showroom and purchased the SUV I had my eye on. It was arranged to be delivered to the clubhouse later today, or the deal was off, and I’d want a full refund or the skin off his body.
Walking into the common room, the first thing I notice is Axel with Mia, the Stooges, BS, Drag, Buzz, and PT. But when Specs and Victoria enter, I wonder what’s happening.
“Okay, listen up,” Axel states. “Hammer is up at the Memorial Garden. He has Bethy's and Art's urns. Today we are going to bury those urns, and as the ordained minister, I’ll say a few words. So, are you ready, Victoria?”
Victoria steps closer to me and grasps my hand. I give it a squeeze to let her know she’s not alone. “I’m ready, Pres,” Victoria replies full of nerves.
We are all gathered around where Hammer has erected the headstone. I can see Victoria doing her best to hold back the tears when Axel talks a little about Bethy’s friendship with Victoria. He doesn’t touch on Art apart from saying siblings together and beyond. We recite the Lord's Prayer before we watch Hammer lower the two urns into the ground.
“Would you like to say a few words, Victoria?” Axel asks quietly, but when she shakes her head that no she doesn’t, we all stand for a while before turning and walking back to the clubhouse.
Hammer remains with BS who had offered to help bury the urns and replace the sods of earth. It doesn’t take long to bury someone, and I’m not even sure if we have the right to bury on the property, but we are going to do it anyway. I’m sure Specs and PT will have it all under control.
Specs nudges Victoria. “Come on, let’s get back to work. We have an adoption process to speed along.”
I slap Victoria’s ass lightly before kissing her forehead. “Go on, and if you need me, I’ll come.”
“I’ll get done what I have on my desk and then I’ll be picking Corey up from school,” Victoria states as she looks over her shoulder while walking away.
I make my way to the kitchen and see Mia speaking with all three of the Stooges. Bitty is looking much happier than she had been, so I assume Mia has it all sorted out now.
Meat is walking over to me where I’ve just taken a seat next to BS and Drag. “Ladies night out…” Meat throws at the three of us. BS says, “Nope.” Quickly standing and walking out of the kitchen.
Drag shrugs, and I’m wondering what I’m getting into, but I shrug too and agree to whatever shenanigans Meat is organizing.
Picking my phone up from where I’d placed it on the table, I send a message to the car dealer and tell him to deliver the SUV to the house. I’d forgotten that Victoria has the trike here and would use that to get home.
The message returned tells me they will deliver in the next hour, so I quickly say my goodbyes and head home. I don’t want to miss getting the delivery.
Walking into the house, I already feel, after only two days, that it is home. The house has such a warm feeling to it that you cannot help but love the place. Looking around I see a throw that Vicky used last night while watching TV with Corey. Corey has left a schoolbook and a toy truck on the coffee table. Yeah, it feels like home!
A knock on the door jolts me out of my musings. Yeah, I thought musings. What the hell is going on with me? I quickly open the door and smile when I see the SUV parked outside the house.
“Mr. Styles?”
“Yeah, that’s me,” I respond as I step out of the house.
“Can you show me your purchase agreement, please? I can give you the keys to the SUV after that.” I see another vehicle pull up behind the SUV, which I’m thinking is to take this guy back.
I head into the kitchen and open one of the drawers. Move the tea towels and take out the paperwork for the vehicle. I quickly show the guy and get the keys. This has been a great handover.
I drive the car to the side of the house and turn it so it’s facing toward the street. Once I’ve done that I see Ginny from across the street walking over.
“Chaos, I want to officially welcome you all to the house. I don’t know if you remember my name, but it’s Ginny. I’ve made some cookies and lemon cupcakes and hope you don’t mind the welcome.”
I give a huge smile to Ginny and take the cake tin she’s handing to me. We both look over when we hear a bike arriving. Well, in this case a trike, and we both get a massive wave from Corey, who it seems loves to be on the back of the trike.
Once Victoria and Corey are off the trike and walk over to where I’m standing with Ginny I hold up the tin and smirk. “Hey, Corey, Ginny here brought me cupcakes and cookies.”
