“Boar and Shannon!” Layla gasped and flew across the room to hug the man and woman standing just inside the door.
“Boar is the President of the Manglers MC in Reedy Fork and Shannon is his Old Lady and wife,” Leigh told me as they made their way over to the bar. “Boar, Shannon, this is River Lawson.”
I extended my hand to each of them. Boar shook my hand and turned to Leigh, “This is your boy’s girl?”
Leigh smiled broadly, “Sure is.”
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, River.”
“Nice to meet you, too.”
We continued talking until the club members were finished with their meeting. By that time, some other women and a few men had filtered in.
Copper whistled loudly to get everyone’s attention. “Please welcome our newest brothers, Coal and Savior!”
After the members were congratulated and the noise died down, Jonah came straight to our table. “Mom, what are you doing here?”
“I feel so wanted,” Leigh said and rolled her eyes.
“That’s not what I meant and you know it,” Jonah said in a voice filled with concern.
“I’m not staying long, Son. I just wanted to stop by to welcome the new members and then Shannon and I are going to head back to my house.”
Jonah’s eyes moved to Boar and Shannon. “I didn’t know you two were coming.”
“It wouldn’t have been a surprise if you did,” Shannon said as she gazed at Jonah. “Your hair’s darker, but you really do favor your cousin.”
“Hey! I’m right here,” Boar said, though his tone was light.
“Oh, hush, you big galoot. You know I love you and only you,” Shannon said playfully.
“What’re they talking about?” I asked.
“Shannon was married to my cousin a long time ago. She’s just messing with Boar.”
When I glanced over at the two, Boar had his face buried in Shannon’s neck and she was giggling like a school girl. It was obvious to anyone in the vicinity that they were deeply in love with one another.
I realized I was staring at them when I felt Jonah’s warm breath on my neck seconds before he nipped my ear. “Jealous?”
I turned my head to capture his lips. “No, respectfully craving.”
Jonah laughed loudly and pulled me against his chest. “Fuck, I love…your witty remarks,” he said, but there was a distinct pause between love and your which I chose to completely ignore.
The rest of the night was spent sharing good conversation over food and drinks. I enjoyed spending time with Layla and getting to know the other club members. I couldn’t help but notice how much of a family they were to each other, and I couldn’t ignore how much I wished I had that in my life.
“Do you mind if we give Boar a ride to my mom’s house before we go home?”
“Of course not. Are you ready to go now?” I asked.
“Yeah, we should get going. It’s getting late and this is when the atmosphere tends to change,” he said cryptically. I fully understood his meaning as Slutty McSlutterson and her skankettes walked through the door as we were leaving.
“Hey, Judge,” Slutty said and reached out to place her hand on his chest, but I caught her wrist before she could make contact.
“Bad dog. Don’t touch,” I snapped and continued on my way outside.
“He doesn’t have an Old Lady. I can touch him if I want,” she said.
I rolled my eyes skyward. “Why must they all be stupid? Is it asking too much to have a few smart sluts sprinkled around?”