Page 9 of A Perfect Christmas with Chaos
Mav explained that for a man like Cap, appearing weak and having to use a walker to get around, especially in front of the other HOCs, well, it was the worst kind of torture for a man like him.Riding was living, and not having the use of his legs probably made him feel like he might as well be dead.It wasn't pretty, but it was how men who ride think sometimes.
Not to mention, Cap’s also having a hard time dealing with the end of a nearly forty-year marriage and the death of his girlfriend all at once.
Honestly, my heart goes out to him.Every time I see or hear about him, I want to do what I can to ease his burdens, but there's only so much Cap would allow people to do for him.He's stubborn and old and a bit of a grouch.So, providing a few nice home-cooked dinners now and again is all I've gotten away with.
I liked him right off when I met him for the simple reason that Mav loved him.That he’d been a father figure to him for years when he hadn’t had one in his life.But I about died when the first thing he said to me was, “Damn...girl...you look like a buddy of mine.”
After he learned I was the product of Pappy and my mother’s affair, and Mav told him the long story about everything that had happened since I arrived, Cap didn’t seem surprised in the least.He thought it over for quite a bit and then said, “There was always somethin’ between those two.Yeah, sure, Pappy loved Vaughn, and Telly loved Smoke, but over time I could tell they were feelin’ each other.Honestly, doesn’t surprise me either that you found a way back to the life.You were born into it.It’s probably the only kind of life for you that feels right.”
I nodded and smiled, knowing exactly what he meant.
And that was it.With Cap’s blessing, Mav had been given the okay to grant me the honor of being his old lady.
Before walking off to greet the others, Cap stops for a second and lets his eyes roam over me.He waves me toward him.As I approach, he cups my neck and kisses me on the corner of my lips.The corner of his mouth kicks up as he says, “It looks good on you, darlin’.Wear it with pride.”
He means my property vest, which I wear over a thin off-white sweater.
I’m a little taken aback at first by the kiss, but I shouldn't be.It's simply something some of the old timers do to show their love for someone.It’s not about sex; it’s about respect and love.
When he draws back he murmurs kindly, “Thanks for havin’ us here, Doll.Means a lot.And thanks for cookin’.”The last word is said with a wink, and then he slowly makes his way into the living room, using his walker for support.
Next to grace our doorstep is the spectacle that is Bodie.I opened the door to find him dressed up like Santa, with two sweeties under his arms.His blond waves are visible under the brim of his hat.The moment he sees me, his smile overtakes his face, flashing his killer dimples, and he yells, “Ginger Snack!”Leaving the girls behind, he swiftly picks me up, twirls me around, and proceeds to squeeze the death out of me.This close, I catch the heady scent of vodka and cinnamon wafting off him.
He doesn't let go when he sets me back on my feet.Instead, his arms stay circled around my neck and shoulders like we're about to slow dance.Looking down at me and piercing me with his hazel eyes, he says, “I heard you have a bun in the oven.Is it mine?”
Laughing, I push him off me.“Stop it.That’s not even funny.”
He slides to the side and keeps his arm around my shoulder.He wiggles his brows at me and grins."Yes, it is, and you know it.”
A growl fills the room.It sounds like there’s a wolf in my home.I don’t need to spin around to know where it’s coming from.Luce growls words this time, “I’m implementing a five-second rule.Any of you fuckers touch her for longer than that, and you’re gonna be missin’ an arm.Your new road name’s gonna be One Arm Willy.”
“Catchy," Bodie quips.However, when Mav moves forward menacingly, Bodie lets go of me and backs away with his hands held up.He resumes his place between the two not-so-wholesome girls he brought with him.
Not one to back down without the last word, he says, “Sheesh.Settle down, Luce, just havin’ a little fun.It’s Christmas.Time to pull that big stick outta ya ass.”
The conversation turns awkward when Mav pulls me back into him and says, “I didn’t say bring guests.”
Oh my God.
Sometimes he can be so rude and the thing about Mav is that if he doesn't care for you, than he doesn't give a fuck about your feelings.He'll just spew out any ol'thing he wants.
Elbowing the man behind me, I chide, “Mav!”
He's glaring at Bodie, but his dark look hits me when he turns his molten amber eyes on me.I just shake my head at him and glare right back."Be nice," I whisper so only he can hear.
His face relaxes a pinch, and his chest inflates as he takes a deep inhale.He shakes his head at me for a moment and then addresses our guests."I'm sorry, please come in."
Undeterred, Bodie introduces the girls, or at least he tries to.“This is...uh-mmm.”He looks down at the first girl and snaps his fingers.“Bridget!”
“Brook.”
He winces.“Right.And this is Tiffany.”
“Tina.”
“Fuck, zero for two.”Shrugging and moving his little group past me and a very growly Mav, he says, “Where’s the food?I’m starving.”
As soon as they’re gone, Mav says, “See, I told you this was a bad idea.This day started off good, and now it’s goin’ to shit.It's a madhouse in there, and people are tracking dirt all over the carpet.”
