Page 5 of Rebel

‘REBEL’

MYA

I’m in total awe of my bestie, Taz. Just two weeks ago she gave birth to my goddaughter, Mickie. Right now, as I hold the most beautiful baby against my chest, Taz is trying to console her son, Teddy, who has had his first fight with his girlfriend—nope his fiancée—Olivia, who is the adopted daughter of our club sister, Glory. The kids have been inseparable since Olivia arrived, but it seems there’s a boy in their class who has been showing interest. Today we come to find out the boy causing all the trouble has a similar last name we all know, Giannopoulos. Yeah, the kid’s father is the one who saved the day when Taz went into labor at Handmaidens Fitness & Holistic Center. Personally, I don’t need anything that will put me in the same room as Atlas Giannopoulos. The man is constantly on my mind and, worse, in my dreams too. Son of a bitch, wish I never met him. Between flowers, candy, and even a new motorcycle cover, Atlas doesn’t seem to comprehend what the word “NO” means. And now his kid is fucking around with little Teddy and Olivia. Well, not on my watch, that’s for damn sure.

I stand up with Mickie in my arms and move to where Taz and Teddy are sitting. I try to lean down, hanging on for dear life to the baby. Well, until Taz stands and reaches for her daughter.I grab Teddy and hold on to him tightly. It’s taken years for him to be comfortable with all of us in the club. Teddy is autistic and has adjusted to the Devil’s Handmaidens Motorcycle Club sisters or, as he calls all of us, his aunties. When he lifts his head and tears are all over his face, for once I want to kick a kid’s ass. Taking in a deep breath, I think before I speak.

“Teddy, I need you to listen to me for a second. Come on, here, dry your eyes. Since you two met, Olivia has been at your side. For Christ’s sake, I mean, dang, you two are planning your wedding, right, so why are you so concerned my man? You got this; they could just be friends.”

“Auntie Rebel, I thought that too. Today that kid came up to me and said he was interested in Olivia and if I cared for her, I’d let her go. If she wanted to be with me she’d come back, otherwise it wasn’t meant to be.”

“Teddy, have you spoken to your girl or are you taking the word of a boy who is after her? Think for a second, he was trying to take away your power and, buddy, looks like you might have handed it to him. Do me a favor. Call Olivia and talk to her. Don’t panic until there is something to worry about. Now go, I’ll wait with your momma. We got your back, Teddy. And if he truly wants your girl, we’ll get all the Devil’s Handmaidens to pay him a visit. You know, scare the sh…crap out of him.”

He gives me a small sad smile then I watch him run to Taz, asking to use her phone. With Mickie on her boob eating, Taz manages to grab her cell and find the number, pushing it before handing it to Teddy. He immediately walks away and heads toward the office, I guess for some privacy. Feeling eyes on me, I turn to see Taz staring at me, surprise and wonder across her face.

“What are you staring at?”

“You. Where is my best friend and sister, Rebel? Bring her back, even though she’s a pain in my ass most times, I understand her you, woman, not so much.”

She’s laughing by the end of her rant and so am I. Sometimes I can shock even myself. I’ve been a part of Taz and Teddy’s life since they came to Timber-Ghost, Montana. And when Taz and Enforcer got together, I was their biggest supporter. Well, as long as he didn’t hurt her, which I told him up close and personal. Enforcer and I have found our way to share Taz. And I’ll never tell him this, but I’m so proud of how he accepted me into her, no, their lives with hardly any lip.

“When did you get so smart about relationships, Rebel? You don’t even date, so where is this knowledge coming from? Are you holding out on me? Because what you told Teddy is so right it’s scary. You directed him to face his problem head-on, when you’ve never done that since I met you. Now, let’s get to the good stuff. What are your thoughts about Dr. Atlas’s son trying to poach Olivia from Teddy? Kind of too close for comfort, don’t you think?”

Taking a second to think about it, I pray I’m wrong, but he’s tried everything else.

“Do you think he’d use his own kid to try and engage with me? Taz, he’s tried everything, including planting his and his boys’ asses at the Wooden Spirits almost every single day. I’m going nuts with his constant presence and pressure on me. Why won’t he let this fucked-up shit go already?”

“Auntie Rebel, swear jar.”

Teddy’s eyes are red-rimmed, which tells me he was crying again. I wait to give him a moment to collect himself. He plops down beside me, leaning into my side. I ruffle his hair and wait.

“Olivia said hi and thanks to you, Auntie Rebel. She said she’s glad someone trusts her and didn’t jump to conclusions. Olivia told me I have nothing to worry about. Auntie Glory hada conversation with her and explained that relationships are work and you must both be on the same page. Olivia told me Thanos was only talking to her to ask about you, Auntie Rebel. Seems like he found out from some of the other kids that you and Momma are close. What he said to me is because he wanted to, as he told Olivia, ‘rock the boat’ but didn’t know how. He heard his dad telling someone how he can’t reach you because he doesn’t have your phone number and he’s feeling sad. Thanos wanted to help his dad, but Olivia said he doesn’t like her like that and came out and told her that, though seemed to be very careful about it. He eventually shared with her he’s a loner or his dad calls him an introvert, who likes to stay home and play video games. He told her he doesn’t have very good, as he said his dad calls it, communication skills. Olivia said she felt sorry for him because he’s always getting picked on for being different, which I know that feeling. Then she told me we should invite Thanos when a bunch of us club kids get together. Seems like he’s more of a loner. I told her sure, once I knew he wasn’t trying to poach my girl. I feel better, so glad I did what you told me to, Auntie Rebel. Momma, can I go play my game now?”

Taz looks between her son and me while she has Mickie on her shoulder, trying to get the little princess to belch after eating. All of a sudden a huge burp is heard and both Teddy and I start to laugh loudly, while Taz whispers to Mickie what a good girl she is. Then she walks to the bassinet set up in the family room next to their enormous sectional. Little Mickie falls asleep immediately with her full tummy. Teddy is off to play his game, so Taz and I are alone and my sister doesn’t waste a second.

“So explain to me why you haven’t returned any of the sexy Dr. Atlas Giannopoulos’s attempts? I know he’s sent flowers, chocolates, and even a new motorcycle cover. What’s the holdup? Even if you don’t want a lifetime commitment, he might just be the one to scratch that itch you’ve been ignoring forever. Imean, even the BOB you bought with the rechargeable USB port can’t keep up with your needs and drive.”

She’s smiling widely at me, which makes it extremely hard to punch her in the face. Well, that grin and the little girl next to the sectional making the cutest noises as she sleeps. How do I explain to my best friend that Atlas scares the ever-lovin’ fuck out of me? He’s gorgeous, educated, a family man of three boys, and single—if what Raven found out is right—which if she researched him, it’s true. I trust whatever she finds when she does her searches. His wife and mother of his kids just up and disappeared about two in a half years ago. Eventually, she resurfaced with her boyfriend, who is a convict and drug dealer. Atlas has full custody as she wants nothing to do with the three brats. That was said in the last court date when she signed away her rights to the boys. When I read that I wanted to strangle her. I don’t know Atlas or the boys, but all of them stepped up for Taz and that, in my book, is beyond good. Atlas divorced her and according to Raven hasn’t been involved with anyone since. Well, except his occasional weekends away to Billings. His parents watch the boys as he lets his hair down and fucks as many women as he can in two or three days. Raven said he’s very upfront and honest and there isn’t a woman he’s been with that has any hard feelings from what she could find out, however she does that shit. And that right there is what has me hiding like a teenage girl with her first crush. Taz is tapping her fingers on the side of her travel mug filled with water.

“Give me a minute, not sure how to explain this to you.”

“What, that you’re afraid to let him past the walls you’ve built? Rebel, that’s obvious. Remember who you’re talking to. I get it, but at some point, you have to take a chance, and I mean a doctor. Really? Who’d have thought that you would be fantasizing about a hot Greek doctor?”

We both giggle, then I get serious.

“Come on, Taz, he looks at women’s ‘girlie gardens’ all day long.”

I stop because she’s choking on a mouthful of water, which she spits out all over their table. I jump up to grab some paper towels as Taz tries to stop coughing. Her face is pink and eyes are running while she tries to talk.

“Girlie garden. Jesus Christ, Rebel, how do you come up with this shit?”

“What? You never heard that before? Don’t you have a personal name for your love shack?”

That sends Taz into a hysterical laugh, which I join in. Maybe I am strange, but I am who I am. Once she’s gotten control back, my sister looks me in the eye and shocks the shit out of me.

“Give him a chance, Mya. What do you have to lose besides some time, which you have plenty of. I mean he’s responsible, as he has a very important job which, apparently, he’s good at. He has a home, which he is raising those three boys in. I know you’re scared, but have I ever steered you wrong? You know I love you and would take a bullet if needed. Please, for me, just give it a go and if it doesn’t work, or you don’t like him, then I’ll let it go, promise.”

Listening to her, it hits me how much she actually cares about me. That’s why she’s pushing so hard; she doesn’t want me to be alone. Ever since she hooked her star to Enforcer, she’s been trying her matchmaking skills out on me. Not that there are many eligible, available men in Timber-Ghost and those who are, are either bums or men I know and aren’t interested in. Both the Blue Sky Sanctuary and Panther’s ranch have available men working there. No one interests me. Well, one does, but he’s not interested and I think that’s what drew my eye. Avalanche is a tall lick of deliciousness, but he’s also more like a brother than a lover. Seeing Taz watching me, I know she knows where mymind went. She’s shaking her head. Great, now she can read my mind.

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