Babs laughs, and I can’t help but smirk. That’s an image.
Babs grabs the cut off the bed and throws it at me. “Wear that property patch with pride, girlie. Your man did something very honorable, and not only Bull but the whole club will have a high amount of respect for him. You gotta tough cut to fill.” I catch it and caress Lip’s name. I miss him; he makes me feel things I never have before. But if he picked me to be his property, I’ll make him proud.
I look up at the girls who are both now smiling. “I’ll wear it with honor,” I whisper. “Yeah, sure, I’ll go. Let me get some clothes on.”
3 Weeks Later
I sit in my chair, waiting for Lip to be escorted to his side of the glass. I was told he isn’t allowed to have contact visits yet because he just arrived, which sucks because I’d do anything for a hug. To smell him, to feel the warmth of his skin against mine. It’s getting lonely at the house without him. Piper has been in my mind more than ever because of it. I thought about driving by the trailer park the other day but decided against it. That is a stupid, stupid idea. I want to see Piper—hell, I want Piper. I am her mother, after all. But I know going over there will put me in the line of fire again. I thought about telling the ol’ ladies, but I’m new to the club. And besides, what can they do? I’m not sure the hit that came after me wasn’t from a judge. That’s not some little trailer park shit that might need the piss kicked out of him; it’s someone who could cause some major damage. I don’t want to hurt my new family when I just got them. But I will get Piper back. Someday.
I shift in my seat and pull my leather cut onto my arms. To wear this, I feel proud, like I’m a part of something whole.
Orange catches my eye, and I look up to see Lip handcuffed and being pushed toward his chair. Orange. Is that for being new or for murder?
He looks rough. His lip piercing is gone, and his hair is oily and un-groomed. This guy doesn’t look like Lip at all, but rather a maniacal empty shell of Lip. I pick the phone up and watch as his chest lifts on an inhale before he lifts his phone.
“Lip,” I state anxiously.
“Sup?” He looks off, not at me. A stabbing pain radiates in my chest, but I furrow my brows and try to shrug it off.
“I miss you. How have you been? Are you okay?” I ramble off all the questions that have been in my mind since the day he was taken from me.
He shrugs. “I’m fine. It’s prison.” His tone is clipped and dry. He doesn’t even seem excited to see me. I pull on my cut, a little sad.
“What is that?” Lip snaps. My head jerks up and I find him actually looking at me.
“This?” I pull on the leather claiming my shoulders. I smile and turn a little bit in my seat to show off the back.
“I gotta say, I wasn’t expecting it.” I chuckle.
Lip bites his bottom lip and nods. “I gotta go babe.”
I jerk in my seat. “What? Why?” None of the guards had said anything about our time being up.
“Time’s up,” he states, standing from his seat.
“Wait!” I slap my hand against the glass, my teeth gritting with anger. Ever since the day he was taken from me, I have had one thing on my mind every day.
“That day you said you had something to tell me, what was it?” I yell, hoping he can hear me.
Lip trails his bottom lip with his tongue, his eyes searching mine for the first time since I’ve been here. I feel vulnerable with the intensity of it. Seconds go by which feel like several minutes.
“It doesn’t matter,” he finally says and walks away. My bottom lip trembles and I cover my mouth with my hand, trying to hold back a sob. I all but run out of there, so confused. He doesn’t look like Lip because he isn’t Lip. He’s built a shell, an ego to survive in prison. I have to be strong for him, just like the girls said. He was there for me when I needed it most, and now I’ll be here for him.
Lip was sentenced to six years in prison. When that verdict came in, I fell off the wagon of sobriety. I got so high and drunk that Babs had to put her finger down my throat to make me puke up some of the liquor. I was hungover for three days.
CHERRY