Page 5 of Next Level (Royal Bastards MC: Oakland Chapter #1)

LIFE IS GOOD

A n hour later, we emerge from my room. I’m freshly showered, with my sack empty and my hair newly cut, and I’m feeling good.

“Black Magic Woman” by Fleetwood Mac sounds around the room.

Tamara saunters over to the bar, takes a seat, and orders a new drink. I had her in several different positions. I know the bitch’s legs are wobbly.

“There you are? It’s about time?” a familiar voice announces.

I look over to see my ma walking into the clubhouse from the back yard with Bruce, my ma’s new boyfriend, in tow.

I guess you could say I got them together.

I went to buy her a new car, and Bruce took one look at her and fell head over heels in love.

He’s a good dude. We have a side business together, dismantling cars and selling their parts.

“Hey, Ma.” I kiss her on the cheek and give Bruce a “What’s up” as he strolls straight to the bar.

“Your hair looks nice. Tam, just do it?” she asks, lifting her hand to touch my hair, but I swat it away.

“Yeah, Ma. She did. Don’t touch.”

“Good. Could you please speak with Brooke and see if Samantha can stay late tonight or possibly even overnight? I feel like I never get time with her anymore.”

“Ma, Brooke picks her up every Sunday that I have her early. It’s a school night, and you know that Sam likes to be home.”

“Well, Amanda and all the girls are out there dancing to that DJ and wanted me to ask you if she could.

I guess Sunshine is playing outside. With all the soundproofing we have installed, you can’t really hear anything outside from inside the clubhouse. We didn’t want our parties to disrupt any neighbors or even our own homes.

“Let me go talk to Sam. I’ll let you know. Just go spend time with her now.”

“She’s a teen, for God’s sake. She doesn’t want to hang out with her Gma.”

I can’t say much because it’s true. Sam usually only wants to hang out with her friends or play video games.

“Okay, Ma. I will. Go have a drink with Bruce at the bar.”

She gives me a quick kiss and wanders over to Bruce, who’s talking to Tamara. I turn away from them and head outside.

Once I open the door, I hear Sunshine playing her tunes over on the picnic table. Several people are dancing around her, but my girl and her friends are right in front of her. “Drench” by AYYBO is playing.

I move toward them, bouncing my head to the sick beat. The bitch can play.

Dawg is dancing behind her and doing a little bit of footwork. I look around, realizing the older members are now inside. I should have known.

I take a seat next to Zip as he lights up a cigarette with his Zippo lighter.

“I see the old timers went inside.”

He takes a drag of his cigarette. “Yeah, when Sammie started requesting EDM stuff, they took a trip to the bar to let her get her groove on.”

Lazy and a few other older members like hearing country or soft rock, not this electric music.

Jay appears next to me with a fresh beer, and I thank him.

I love all music, so it doesn’t bother me. I spot Tink and Cracker across the way, sitting in the sun. I smile at her, seeing what kind of mood she’s in, and when she grins back, I relax.

Yep, she’s a good one. No drama.

Sunshine drops her next song, “Disconnected” by James Hype and Tita Lau, before turning around to Dawg, who hands her a drink.

I like this for him. He’s been chasing this girl for a while. She’s always on the go, DJing from place to place. I don’t know what will come of this, but he’s smitten with her.

Zip exhales and asks, “So, Tink good with Trouble being here?”

Yep, Trouble is her new nickname for sure .

I raise my beer and, before taking a drink, I say, “It looks like she’s okay. We’ll see when Tam and Tink are in the same room together.”

Zip doesn’t reply, taking another big drag of his cigarette.

“I’m not with either one of them. They both know it. It’s up to them to act right, or they’re gone. Out of anyone, Tink knows that. She’s been around all of us long enough to know we don’t put up with any bullshit.” I watch Tink converse with her friend.

Zip exhales, still not saying anything.

So I continue, “Plus, Tink and I are friends. Yes, we have fun, but we’re friends first and foremost. Tam is the one who’s on thin ice. She’s the one I would worry about having a problem.”

Zip huffs and finally speaks up. “Well, brother, for your dick’s sake, I hope they do, so it can keep getting laid regularly.”

I lift my beer to salute him. “Fuck yeah. Cheers to my dick getting laid regularly.”

We clink drinks, taking a swig.

“Pops!” Sam yells.

I look over to see my girl smiling big as she dances around.

I tilt my head. “Wadsup, Punkin?”

“Come dance with us.” She giggles with her friends.

Shaking my head, I reply teasingly, “Not today. I embarrassed myself enough yesterday.”

All the girls reply with a pout while trying to persuade me to come dance.

The back door swings open, and my ma and Tamara stroll outside, both with drinks in their hands.

I glance over at Tink, who is watching Tam but showing no aggravation. I’m not even sure if Tamara has seen Tink yet because she is so involved in her conversation at the moment.

Tink and I were raised not to get out of hand, or we’d get our ass whooped.

Yes, we are older now, but Tink and I are friends. Now, if I were with either one of them and another woman came into the clubhouse making moves, they would have the right to take action, but in this case, neither of them does.

Zip glances from Tamara to Tink and then back to Tamara. I feel like we’re both sitting back to see if anything will unfold.

Ma and Tam look around, spotting me sitting here, and they make their way over.

Zip asks, “Do you think you’ll ever pick between them?”

“No. I don’t feel that way toward either of them. I like fucking them, but I wouldn’t settle down with either of them.”

“Damn. I thought for sure Tink and you…” He doesn’t finish his sentence when Tamara approaches.

“Hey, Zip,” she greets him.

“What’s up, Trouble?”

She frowns. “Why does everyone keep calling me that?”

Grabbing her waist, I pull her to my chest, hoping to calm her tantrum that I know is coming.

Zip scoffs. “Oh, maybe because you’re always causing t-r-o-u-b-l-e.”

“Easy there, Tam. He’s just giving you shit,” I say, trying to ease her.

Ma breaks the tension and yells, “Sammie, come here!”

I lean down, place my mouth to Tamara’s ear, and give her another warning. “Chill. Remember, no drama today or you’re outta here.”

Tamara leans back, eyeing me and evaluating what I just said.

I raise a brow, challenging her, but she knows I will throw her ass out of here in a heartbeat. Her pussy may be good, but I don’t fuck around with drama.

“Tam, you don’t want to test me today.” I kiss her on the forehead, hoping it will close that conversation.

“Yeah, Gma?” Sam’s voice rings next to me.

“My Sammie girl. When can you come stay with me?” Ma asks her as she pulls her in for a hug.

“Gma, I have school all week. Maybe next weekend,” Sam replies, hugging her back.

As they release each other, Ma says, “Okay, I’ll call your mom tonight and make arrangements.”

Sammie giggles as Ma swats her ass. “Okay, now go dance with your girls. Gma loves you.”

Tamara moves to sit on the other side of me, and I take that opportunity to glance over at Tink, who’s still conversing it up with her friend. I watch as Jay and Lip wander over and say something to them, and they start laughing even harder.

She looks happy, and it warms me inside.

This is also how I know I’ll never settle down with either of these two. I don’t get jealous, but I would feel bad if I ever hurt them, especially Tink. I can’t say she’s like a sister anymore because hello, I’m fucking her, but she is family, and I would be upset if she were upset.

“Level?” Hearing my name snaps me out of my thoughts. I turn to Zip as he repeats my name.

“Sorry, what was that?”

“When do you want to start the BBQ?” he asks, flipping his Zippo open and closed.

I look around the compound, seeing all my people content and having a good time.

No drama.

No club problems.

Nothing to do but relax.

Life is good.