Caught in the Devil's Sheets (32 page)

“How are you, honey?” she says with a big smile. There is already beer on her breath.

“I’m great, thanks. How are you?” I say, shocked to be having a pleasant conversation with Shannon.

“Same shit, different day,” she says laughing.

Shannon is a classic biker’s wife, from the smoker’s lines on her lips to the tattooed arm band around her upper arm. She must know something’s up with Odin and me because she’s never been this nice to me before. Kelli and I exchange a “what’s up with her” glance. Shannon heads into the kitchen, kissing Cole on the cheek and helping herself to a beer in the fridge. Micah also comes up to greet me formally, which is a first. He’s always been nice to me, but we’ve never really had a one on one conversation before. We are standing in the dining room, me sipping on a margarita when he strikes up a conversation.

“How’s the divorce going?”

Awkwardly I shrug my shoulders. “Okay I guess. We have a meeting this week with our lawyers.”

“Guess I won’t be expecting Odin at work that day.”

How the hell does he know? Perhaps he just knows Odin is a control freak. It’s a strange first real conversation to be having with Micah, but truthfully, I’m just glad he likes me and approves of me and Odin.

“Yeah, he wants to go, but I don’t know if it’s such a good idea. He’s just going to be fanning the flame, if you know what I mean.”

“Some fires need to be set, doll. You should let him go or he’ll be buggin’ the hell out of us all day,” he says with a big smile as Odin walks up behind us, unaware of what we’re talking about. “Come here, son!” he greets Odin with a big hug and I stand by his side as they talk about some hockey game.

People slowly begin piling through the door. Damien, Nathan, and Noah Harting all show up together. I’m not totally sure the exact relation between them all, but I know they’re all brothers and cousins. Damien brings a girl with him that Kelli knows from college and I see them engage in conversation in the corner as the noise in the house picks up. Felix and his sons, Junior and Nikko, show up. Both Nikko and Felix, Jr. remind me of Serj Tankian, the lead singer of System of a Down, only with triple the tattoos. Junior has a full black beard and slick black hair, and resembles a 1920’s boxer. Nikko has only a goatee but looks very much like his brother Junior. Nikko’s mustache is curled on the sides and he has a really nice Japanese wave and orchid tattoo on his shoulder. He comes to greet Odin and gives me a sideways look as I stay by his side, not really getting that we came together until Odin puts an arm around me.

“What’s going on with you two?” he asks with a frown.

“She’s just going through a divorce. I’ve been keeping her company.” Odin takes this one.

“No shit!” Nikko exclaims, taking a step back and almost spilling whatever contents are in his red Solo cup. “You’re divorcing Jaime!?” he asks me wide-eyed.

“Uh, yeah,” I say trying to sound more confident about it then I feel after his reaction.

“Congratu-fucking-lations!” He holds a hand out for me to shake, showing his respect for my decision.

Relief washes through me as I shake his hand. “Thank you,” I say with a smile so big it hurts my cheeks.

“Hey, Junior! Come here man, you gotta hear this shit!” he yells across the room.

I try not to blush or get embarrassed. Odin’s arm draped around me makes it easier.

“What’s up?” Junior asks as he comes to stand by his brother, eying Odin and I speculatively.

“This girl is finally kicking that punk bitch Jaime to the fucking curb man!”

I take it Nikko and Junior aren’t Jaime fans.

“No shit!” Junior says, almost mirroring Nikko’s initial reaction. “So wait, are you guys hooking up now?” he points his bottle at Odin, then to me.

This isn’t as bad as I thought it would be, so far people are taking it well, but I’m still fighting embarrassment.

“She’s way too good to pass up!” Odin tells him, tightening his arm around me.

“Good for you, bro!” Junior says, holding his beer up to cheers with Odin.

Nikko and I also raise our glasses.

“Told you people wouldn’t be too surprised,” Odin whispers in my ear as he kisses my cheek after Nikko and Junior have engaged in another conversation.

I smile helplessly and turn up to kiss him.

“Aw! Isn’t that too fucking cute?” Shannon yells, drawing unwanted attention to our kiss.

“Thanks, Mom!” Odin says sarcastically, glaring at her.

Odin calls Shannon “Mom?”
I didn’t know that.

“Shut up and let me get a picture,” she says, fumbling with her phone.

Odin rolls his eyes about to protest, but I put my arm around his waist and smile while Shannon drunkenly struggles to take our picture. Odin’s not exactly smiling, but he’s not mad either.

I decide to find Kelli and make sure she’s alright in this crowd. It’s not all the people we are used to from our parties. I see what Odin means by the club is pretty well split in half. All the people here are all the people Jaime wouldn’t invite, other than a few mutual faces.

I find Kelli sitting at the outside bar, taking shots with Keila and a few other ladies. I join them at the bar as Cole jumps into the octagon with a megaphone.

“Can I have everyone’s attention please! We’re starting off the ring tonight with our light weight division.”

People laugh as he imitates an actual announcer.

“The scrawny but mean Nathan Harting goes head-to-head with his own flesh and blood, the String Bean but also mean Noah Harting!!!”

People start to cheer as Noah and Nathan take to the ring, shedding their shirts and footwear. Cole hands the megaphone off to someone else, but stands in the ring to play ref. Nathan and Noah begin taking punches at each other. Micah and Damien shout advice and motivation from outside the ring, as the fighters both tumble to the floor of the octagon.

From the bar, it’s hard to make out exactly what’s going on. Above all the shouting I hear Shannon screaming from behind me. “Come on, Nate! Can’t let your little cousin show you up in there! I didn’t raise no sissy boys!”

So Nate is Shannon’s son and Noah is his cousin. The family tree starts piecing together. Apparently, Noah is younger, although they look about the same age. If I’m not mistaking, Noah is still a prospect, not yet a member. Cole breaks them up a couple of times and starts them back on their feet. I can already hear people talking about who’s next.

“You wanna go, Kelli?” I joke in her ear.

“You’d probably win!” she says. She’s right, not cause I’m any tougher, but because I probably have 30 pounds on her.

“Come on!” I tease, as Keila pours me another margarita. All of us ladies at the bar take another shot together.

“Nah, I’ll jump in the pool with you though!” Kelli suggests.

“I’m down once I have a few more in me!” I say excited and we clink our shot glasses again.

There’s a bunch of yelling and commotion that draws our attention back to the ring. Nathan has Noah in a choke hold and in seconds Noah taps out and the crowd goes wild! They shake hands and hug before the three of them exit the ring and head over to the bar. I shuffle toward the pool and give them room to get served. I look around for Odin, but I don’t see him. I wonder if he’ll be taking a turn in the octagon tonight. Fights often broke out when Jaime and I threw parties, but they were drunken men being cocky asshole fights. No ring, no ref, and no shaking hands! This is actually genius. From what I gather from Nathan and Noah’s fight, these guys are well-practiced.

“Hey, Lila!”

I turn to see Styx approaching me, leaning his hands out for a hug. Styx has been to a few of my parties and his familiar Samoan face has a friendly smile pasted across it.

“Hey Styx.” I say hugging him.

“Hey, I hear you’re getting a divorce?” He awaits confirmation.

I hope he’s as agreeing as Nikko and Junior.

“Yeah. Jaime and I have been treading on rocky water for a while.”

“It’s a shame. I bet a pretty girl like you doesn’t stay single long eh?” he inquires as to whether or not I’ve already moved on.

Apparently he missed the part where I showed up here with Odin tonight. The side of me with morals is embarrassed to admit I’m already seeing someone. He notices me shy.

“What are the chances of us going out sometime?” he asks, catching me off guard.

I almost choke on my drink. Regaining myself, I straighten up. Across the pool, I spot Odin who is eying me wearily.

“Actually, I’m already seeing someone.”

Styx takes a step closer to me so that our faces are only inches apart. I can no longer see Odin on the other side of the pool. “What does this someone think about all your biker friends?” he glances around at the other guests.

“Well he brought me here so—”

Before I can finish, Odin puts a hand on Styx’s shoulder and Styx turns to greet him. They shake hands like old friends before Odin asks if I’d like to get a drink with him, no doubt stealing me out of this awkward situation.

“Hey, bro, can’t you see we’re having a conversation here?” says Styx abrasively.

I watch as Odin’s face turns to fight mode. I can see we’re going to need a referee here.

“Yeah, I can see you trying to have a conversation. She doesn’t look all that interested. Am I right, babe?”

Odin looks to me, and I tentatively have my straw and a mouth full of margarita that I swallow down as Styx wide-eyed turns to me for an answer.

“As I said, I’m kind of seeing someone,” I say.

Odin drapes an arm around my waist and I can see this is turning into a total pissing contest.

“This is who you’re seeing?” Styx points his beer at Odin almost laughing, making Odin seem insignificant.

I feel immediately defensive.

“You got something you wanna say?” Odin says angrily, raising his voice.

I too stare at Styx with expecting eyes.

“That’s a damn shame. You went from being married to a bitch to dating this freak?” He looks Odin up and down.

At this point we’ve gained some attention.

“If you ever want to try your luck with a real man, you give me a call, baby girl,” Styx says disrespectfully in front of all who are listening, then turns his back.

“Why don’t you show us all what a real man you are and go head to head with me in the octagon!” Odin challenges.

Styx turns back around to face us. By this point everyone around the pool is staring at him and he can hardly back down.

“Or maybe you’re not a real man at all, just a big shit talking pussy!” Odin lets go of me, taking a step toward Styx, laying the heat on him.

“Come on, bitch!” Cole instigates Styx from the side, clearly showing his faith in Odin.

I should be worried. Even if Odin wins, he could get hurt. But I’m four margaritas and four shots in, and I’m pure wild anticipation!

“Alright! I’ll fucking whoop your ass in front of your stolen lady!” Styx says, setting his beer down on the table.

I hear people in the crowd yell, “Ooooh,” no doubt over the phrase “stolen lady.”

“Hey, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Odin refers to me as his treasure, but I can still feel the sting of insult knowing I was Jaime’s trash.

“Take it to the ring!!!” Cole hollers in excitement.

Odin pulls his shirt off and tosses it to me. I follow as Styx, Odin and Cole make their way to the octagon. Shannon stands next to me as I take my place right by the gate.

“Watch my boy defend your name!” she says to me.

I hope she’s right in her confidence. Odin and Styx shed their shoes and turn to face each other. Cole takes his place between the two.

“No biting, no scratching, and no nut shots. We fight like men!” he says, looking at Styx rather than Odin.

Styx nods and Cole steps back toward the gate. “Let’s go!” he shouts.

Both Odin and Styx start hopping from foot to foot in a circle. Styx takes the first swing but Odin puts a fist up in defense and Styx hits only his arm. Styx strikes again and misses, but his next blow hits Odin in the ribs. Unscathed, Odin responds, throwing a punch at Styx’s face. Styx blocks the punch, but doesn’t notice Odin’s foot that comes up and kicks him in the side of his knee. Styx goes down and hits the floor with a loud thud. Odin steps back, letting him get up instead of jumping on top of him. Shooting a quick glance at me, Odin smiles as if to say, this if for you. My fingers grip the black chain link fencing as do Shannon’s.

“You go, baby!” she yells.

Styx regains his composure and they again weave around each other, throwing punches. Odin takes a few rib shots but does well to protect his face. He takes a shot and hits Styx square in the eye, splitting his eye brow open. Styx wipes it off and continues bobbing on his feet, ducking and throwing punches. He bends down to throw a punch at Odin’s ribs and this time Odin grabs him by the head and slams his knee into Styx’s face, then throws him to the mat. Styx lands on his back, but again, Odin takes the gentleman’s route and allows him to get back up. Styx stands up, spitting blood onto the octagon floor.

The dance of punches begins again. Odin is quick on his feet and this time, holds little back, hitting Styx in the ribs three times in perfect succession. I can hear the brutal sound of knuckles against rib bone. Styx flinches and jumps back, but Odin jumps forward, cornering him against the gate opposite me. Styx tries to protect his face while Odin reigns down blows on him. In desperation, Styx throws himself at Odin, wrapping his arms around Odin’s waist, taking him down to the mat. Odin is on bottom, but he quickly gets Styx in a headlock, punching him the face repeatedly. Styx can do nothing but elbow Odin in the ribs. I hear the crack as Odin’s fist wails into Styx’s face. I want to wince, but Odin is clearly enjoying this with wild rage in his eye. Styx tries desperately to break free from the chokehold that ensues. Odin tightens his grip, crushing Styx’s throat between his bicep and his forearm. Styx, turning blue, has no option but to tap out.

Odin is an amazingly skilled fighter. I wonder how long he and his family have been into cage fighting.

“We have a winner!” Cole announces as the crowd goes wild.