Page 50 of Ink

I could tough it out here for a couple of weeks until payday again.

The corner of Ink’s mouth turns up as his eyes crinkle slightly. “A guest room?”

Why do I feel like he finds this amusing?

“Yeah, you know, where people you have visiting stay for the night?”

“I don’t have a guest room.”

“What about a couch?”

“No.”

“How do you not have a couch?”

Isn’t that a staple in a bachelor pad?

“I have one.” Ink’s amused smirk hasn’t left his face.

“Okay…” I trail off, growing more and more confused by the second. “If you’re not going to let me go back to the motel, why can’t I sleep on the couch?”

“Because you’re not sleepin’ on the fuckin’ couch?”

“Why?”

“Bunny, I know you were out of it when I brought you back here and you probably don’t remember much, but this is a fuckin’ clubhouse. You hear that bass? It’s because there’s a party goin’ on downstairs. Random guys and girls who are wasted off their ass. Anyone can come and go within reason. Most of the guys are not good guys. The last thing I want is for one of them to see you sleepin’ on the couch and think they can have their way with you. It’s not goin’ to fuckin’ happen.”

“This is a clubhouse?”

“Yeah.”

“How many people live here?”

“Got five brothers that live here and Evan. Prez and Evan only stay here half of the time, though.”

“Prez?”

“Our president.”

“President of your club?”

“The way you say ‘club’ makes it sound like we’re a kids’ sports complex or some shit. It’s an MC club, babe. It can’t be lost on you that I’m a biker.”

“Obviously, I know you have a bike.” I roll my eyes. I’ve been forced on it more than once. Is it considered forcing if deep down I wanted to ride but was just too scared to give in? “Gage mentioned the club once, I think. I just didn’t realize it was a thing you live at. I thought it was just a hangout.”

Ink’s eyes are glimmering with amusement. “We hangout wherever the fuck we want to, babe. We all live here because we’re one big family, so why the fuck not?”

One big family.

I’ve always wondered what that would be like. To have people in your life that love you unconditionally and have your back no matter what happens. From an early age it was engrained in my brain by my dad that jealousy is a sin that can only lead to evil, but right now I can’t help but feel a little envious that Ink has this.

My mom tried the best she could to show love in a way that my dad wouldn’t catch on to, but that all stopped when she got sick.

Maybe one day I’ll have that again, but only better. In the way I want it.

If I ever get my life together. And let’s be honest, at the rate I’m going, it probably won’t happen until I’m on my deathbed. No matter what Madame Salem told me my cards said.

“Look, it’s been a long day. I don’t want to freak you out or make you uncomfortable. Let me talk to Evan and see if she has a room ready at her place you can crash at.”