Page 37 of Defended by Bama (Royal Bastards MC: Mobile, Alabama #1)

Brooklyn

Bama was busy all day. It was still pretty warm, low eighties, with lower humidity than normal so we spent the majority of the day outside.

Floating around the pool at the clubhouse and hydrating while eating snacks was just what the doctor ordered.

Thankfully I had good sunglasses Bama bought for me at the bike rally.

My head stopped splitting, but I definitely still felt the effects from Friday night. I slept a lot yesterday and let Sofie chill in bed with me and watch cartoons for a while between Bama bringing me snacks.

He said since Sofie had a lot of helpers at the clubhouse and I wasn’t feeling well, we’d just hang out there, and it made sense.

At home, I’d be laying in bed, and she wouldn’t have a bunch of women fawning over her.

She even had her own playroom here now thanks to some of the women and Bama.

He was going to surprise her later with it but with me nursing a hangover, he went ahead and showed her.

She was happy as could be and I got to rest.

Bama had some club stuff happening, so he couldn’t be with us twenty-four/seven. I was fine with that anyway because I wasn’t good company at the moment. I was feeling a tad better today, but still slow going.

Note to self, don’t try to keep up with Allie.

Allie stuck around even though she told me on the ride yesterday she planned to head back.

I was no expert in men or relationships, clearly, but I got the feeling there was some history with her and Hammer.

Just like with Glenda, though, I didn’t want to pry.

If the opportunity arose in conversation I’d take advantage, but I hadn’t found a good opening.

“Mommy, I need to pee!” Sofie called out from the other side of the pool.

Moaning, I leaned up in my float and started to paddle, but Pinkie yelled over, “Stay put momma. I need to go, too, so I’ll take her.”

“You’re an angel,” I said as loud as I could muster.

Looking down at my fingers, I was all pruned. But floating around weightlessly, occasionally dipping my hands and feet in the water, was surely helping me somehow. It was really nice anyway.

“You getting hungry?” Glenda asked from her lounge chair beside the pool.

“You guys really don’t have to baby me.”

“That’s what friends are for. You can return the favor when I get wrecked.”

“You never overdo it, though. I’ll be waiting forever.” Glenda had a few beers from time to time, but didn’t drink a lot, and as far as I knew, didn’t do any drugs. Some of the other girls did occasionally.

If I didn't have Sofie, who knows? I could be inclined to dabble. But even getting shitfaced the other night was irresponsible. I felt bad, but the other ladies really were like having a tribe. I wasn’t used to it, so I felt guilty accepting their help.

But they made it seem as if they didn’t see it as helping, they appeared to genuinely enjoy hanging out with Sofie.

Glenda giggled, then leaned up, stretching and twisting at her waist. “I’ve been sitting here too long, anyway.

I need something, too. And Sofie is having too much fun to care if she’s hungry.

” She stood up, pulling a cover-up over her shoulders.

“I’ll go gather some food and be back out.

It’s so nice outside. Gotta take advantage while we still can. ”

Pinkie and Sofie had returned, then after a short while, Glenda came back with a tray of chicken tenders, boneless wings, fries, and assorted condiments. One of the other ladies that helped in the kitchen brought out some drinks for us, all non-alcoholic.

I forced myself out of the pool to eat, and we all quietly stuffed our faces. After Sofie ate just one tender and a few fries, she stood up. “Is Bama gone all day again?”

“Not sure, sweet girl. Why?”

She shrugged. “Just miss him. And I miss Fluffikins.”

We all collectively said, “Awww.” Then I reached out for her after I wiped my saucy hands.

“I miss him, too. But he’s working. Hopefully we can spend more time with him this week.

But you get to go back to school and see your friends tomorrow.

And you can see Fluffikins later tonight.

We may be home late but if you don’t wake up when we get there, you’ll see him in the morning, okay?

” Fluffikins was the stuffed bunny Bama bought for her when we first arrived.

The toy was nearly as big as her, so we opted to not take it out of town with us.

“Okay. Can I get back into the pool?” she asked.

“Okay, but floaties back on and stay in the shallow end. Don’t need you cramping up.”

Once we secured her floaties on her arms, she got back into the pool and Glenda leaned closer, almost whispering, “You know, some folks say that’s an old wives’ tale.”

“I’m sure,” I said, swatting at a fly. They had torches, and someone had the sense to plant citronella around the pool to keep mosquitoes to a minimum, but food still attracted flies.

“Hell, one of the only times my mom showed up for anything, she argued with the pediatrician because she told us not to let her sleep on her tummy. Mom told her she was stupid because she put me on my tummy, and I was fine.”

“Yeah, medical advice seems to change based on the day of the week you ask,” Glenda said. “But even so, I think she’s okay to swim, but you’re her mom.”

“I doubt anything will happen to her here,” I chuckled, popping a fry in my mouth. “I’ve never had real friends, so…” I wasn’t really sure where I was going with that or why I even said it.

“Hey, I told you, we’re besties now. You’re stuck with us,” Glenda said with a wink.

“Yep. You’re one of us now, Linny,” Pinkie said. “Especially after jumping some random hoe for touching your man.”

We all broke into laughter, and I struggled not to choke on the boneless wing I’d just popped into my mouth.

Once I finally got it down, I said, “I didn’t jump anyone.

It was just a silly little–I don’t even know what to call it, but it was mostly a lot of pushing and pulling.

” I was still giggling through my words.

“And obviously, mystery shooters from Allie are not a good idea for me.”

“Hey, where is Allie, anyway?” Pinkie asked, looking back toward the clubhouse.

“Not sure. She and Bama were bickering the other night. She may be laying low.”

Glenda shrugged. “Sibling squabbles. She’ll get over it. But I’m surprised she even came to the rally.”

Sucking the hot sauce from my fingers, I asked, “Oh yeah? Why?”

Glenda sighed, dipping her boneless wing into the ranch. “The non-relationship between her and Hammer. But you didn’t hear that from me.”

“You mean like the non-relationship with you and Leigh?” Pinkie asked, grabbing a few fries and swatting at the same fly harassing me.

Glenda froze, then looked at Pinkie. Glenda was usually pretty happy-go-lucky, but daggers shot from her eyes as she stared down Pinkie.

Pinkie rolled her eyes and looked away. “Anyway…Hammer and Bama have been friends a long time. And you know, when he was in jail–” Her eyes widened, and she said, “Oh shit. You did know that, right?”

Nodding, I answered, “Yeah. He mentioned it briefly. Drugs or something. I didn’t ask about it because I assume it wasn’t pleasant.”

“So, you don’t care?”

Dipping my fry into ketchup, I smirked. “Why would I?”

“I don’t know. Most of these guys have been in at least once or twice. But you’re just–”

“A goody-goody?” Grunting, I continued, “Hardly. I was trapped. And a little dead inside, honestly. I feel like I’ve woken up from a bad dream over the last few months. I can finally be me. But I shouldn’t be getting, what did you call it, Glenda? White girl wasted again until she’s a bit older.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Pinkie blurted out.

Smiling, I said, “I know. But getting knocked up by an abusive cop didn’t make me judgy. If anything, it made me more empathetic. And also explains a lot about girls wanting bad boys.”

“Amen to that,” Glenda said.

Pinkie still wasn’t relaxed or smiling, so I reached over and grabbed her hand. “Hey, I know you didn’t mean anything. And I’m good now. Because of you, Glenda, Bama, all of you. And I suppose I may be a little vanilla, but vanilla is sweet, right?”

“It sure is,” she said, squeezing my hand.

“Speaking of Bama, I wonder how much longer he’ll be? She has school tomorrow. We usually can transport her without waking her but every once in a while, she’ll get wide open when we get home.”

“My guess is, we got to go to Thunder Beach for the club business that has now taken over. Hopefully it’ll settle soon.

They don’t usually get held up more than a few days at a time,” Pinkie said before standing.

“I’m taking another dip. I gotta cover the kitchen for the next four days, so no more lazy pool days. ”

“Yeah, we gotta get back to the grind tomorrow, too,” I said, wiping my hands on a paper towel, then tossing it on the nearly empty plate.

“You don’t even have to work here. What grind?” Glenda joked.

“Let me pretend to be one of the girls. I love Bama, but I learned from the last one not to let a man become my whole identity. Which is hard when I can’t be out of his sight unless I’m here.”

“He just worries about you. It’s sweet. These guys are different. They won’t hurt us, but they’d kill for us. And it’s best to not have to kill anyone. So, protective it is.”

“Yeah. I get it. It’s only been a few months since the old me was wiped away.

But it would be nice to be able to hop in the truck and run out for ice cream or something.

” I didn’t have full freedom to move as I pleased with Marshall.

The only reason he let me leave the house with her was, so he didn’t have to listen to her play and talk but he always knew where we were and when we’d be home.

Even though Bama had different motives for keeping us within reach, it still was hard.

Most of this new life was freeing, but that part was annoying.

“He’d go get you ice cream if you wanted it,” she said. She wiped her hands and slurped the last of her drink.

“What if I wanted ice cream right now? He’s busy.”

“Girl, you’re reaching. I’ll take you to get ice cream if you want. And give it time. Like you said, it’s only been a few months. Better safe than sorry.”

“You’re right. He’s nothing like Marshall. And he’s never actually said no to anything. Did you know he helped pack our stuff for the trip, and packed it all when we were leaving?” I asked, still in awe.

“He can be gruff at times, but he’s obsessed with you. He’s a gentleman on the inside, at least for the right lady. And that’s you. Which is why you’re his Ol' Lady.”

“That still sounds so crazy to me. I couldn’t even get the last one to notice he wasn’t on her birth certificate. Then Bama just decides he wants everyone to know I’m with him.”

“Eat it up. A lot of these girls here are desperate for a property patch.”

“What about you?” I asked.

“I had one.”

I sat up off my chair. “You did? With…”

“Reggie. Yeah.”

“Glenda,” I whispered.

She waved me off. “It’s fine. I’m fine.”

“Is that why Leigh gets under your skin?” I asked.

“No.”

After silence for a few beats, I tried to change the subject without changing it. “Hey, I’ve noticed his patch says Leigh. Like l-e-i-g-h. I’ve only ever seen that spelling for girls.”

She cackled. I nervously laughed, unsure if she was actually laughing or about to snap. Finally she said, “It’s short for Ashleigh, which, spelled that way, is usually a man’s name. But Leigh sounds more manly, I guess. Or maybe he didn’t want his patch too long. Who knows?”

“His name is Ashleigh?”

“I’m pretty sure it was a namesake. But yeah.”

“No wonder he’s grumpy.”

She cackled again, and I relaxed back into my chair while I waited around for Bama.

It was sad to think she’d been an Ol' Lady, and her man was dead.

Was she still considered an Ol' Lady? I was still learning so much about my new life. I wish I knew what happened to him, but the tension was palpable anytime I brought it up. So, for now, I’d move on from it, and wait for my man.