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“It is a good idea for self defense training though, you can start training her later. I need you to go help out Charlene tonight,” Ax says.
“Her has a name. And her doesn’t want to do self defense anything with anyone.”
“Charlene? Again?” Asher asks, raising an eyebrow to Ax and completely ignoring me.
“Yeah. Don’t give her a hard time. She’s trying.”
Asher sighs as he rubs his temples. I glance at Eli who looks conflicted about filling me in. Ax nods at him, giving his approval.
“A bunch of us help transport women to the women's shelter when needed. Charlene has requested our help quite a few times.”
I frown. “She keeps going back?”
Eli nods. “She’s older, doesn’t know much else besides her husband. She just keeps thinking it’ll change. And to be fair, the shelter isn’t anything amazing. So, after a couple days there she starts thinking of all the good times and ignoring the bad, then goes right back to him.”
“That’s sad. What’s wrong with the shelter? I didn’t even know we had one in town.”
“It’s new,” Asher tells me. “Only a couple years old so we are still raising money and getting things.”
“We?”
“The Vipers opened the shelter,” Ax tells me.
My face must show shock because Eli holds a hand up before Ax can say whatever nasty remark seems to be sitting on his tongue. “She’s been comparing us all to Sons of Anarchy in her mind. She might need a minute to wrap her head around that one.”
“Please tell me he’s joking,” Ax says, glaring at me.
“It’s a good show,” I shrug and Asher laughs loudly. “Sounds like things have changed from the rumors I used to hear growing up, though.”
It gets tense and I assume that’s the end of the conversation about the Vipers.
“Well,” I say awkwardly. “If I can help with the shelter or even covering the bar at all let me know. I am completely, 100% free…” I hint and Ax glares at me.
“You aren’t working at the bar,” Ax says simply and leaves the room.
I roll my eyes. “He’s such a jerk.”
Eli chuckles and shakes his head at me. “What about school?”
“I got my GED at the hospital but I can’t touch my trust fund for college expenses until I’m twenty-one.”
“Dibs!” Asher yells at Eli.
I jump at his sudden outburst as he picks up the last cracker.
“Jesus, I have more. Chill out.”
“Where do you keep getting them?” Eli laughs.
“Edgar keeps leaving them for me on my nightstand,” I smile thinking of the sweet old man.
“That’s sweet but maybe he will try some fruits or vegetables next time,” Eli chuckles.
I roll my eyes at him before I hop off the counter and help to the staircase.
I find myself lingering outside Ax’s door, trying to get up the courage to confront him. I take a breath and knock on the door but there’s no answer. I knock again and chew my lip as I push it open.
They barge into my room, no reason I can’t go into his.
