“Not sure. The guy left after she wouldn’t let it go, and then she said she had something to do and would talk to me later. Haven’t seen her since. I called a few times, but the closer it got, I just said screw it and came alone. Thought maybe she would meet me here since she knew the address whereMwas performing, but I never saw her in the crowd. And I was looking.”
We’re all silent till Cheyanne breaks it. “Think she was wondering if God sent him? Or maybe the devil?” I’m not the only one who looks at her as she continues. “You know, ’cause the wholehecomment. Maybe she was thinking it was God or something.”
“Ah, Nat’s not really the religious type.” Ruby glances at us with a plea for help in her eyes before looking back with a shrug. “Or at least I haven’t seen her do anything like pray or something.”
That seems to pacify Fairy, as she nods away. I look at Jules, who’s trying not to laugh like me. I like Cheyanne, but it’s more than obvious that the girl is more book smart than street smart.
“Um, anyways, anyone know where Abigail is?” Maddy asks to change the subject.
“She started that job with the vet,” Izzy supplies.
“Who’s Abigail?” I ask as I take a drink of my beer.
“She’s a friend of the club. Her actual brother was a club brother, but he died a few years back. Club still considers her family, though,” Ruby says with a shrug, as if that explains everything.
I just nod since I doubt asking questions is the proper thing to do at the moment.
“I didn’t know she was interested in being a vet,” Jules says with a squinch of her nose. Probably remembering how much she hates cats herself and how I forced her to volunteer at a vet’s office for her birthday as a gag gift a few years back. She might not remember everything, but at least she has that to think on.
I laugh at the memory, and she glares at me before she pushes me a bit. “Bitch,” she says with all the love she can muster as she drinks her Diet Coke.
I just keep smiling ’cause I know she really does love me, even if she hates me sometimes.
“Think it’s a scholarship or something. She’s more there for the money, I think, but I don’t think she hates animals or anything,” Maddy replies, then groans when she hears a wail from her son.
“Want me to go check on him?” Izzy is already out of her seat as Maddy nods.
“I love that kid, but man, do I hate this stage.”
“What stage is that?” I ask. I knew she had a kid recently, but I’m not really sure how long ago it was. She looks amazing, as do all the Hounds’ women.
“He got his first cold, and the doctor says there’s nothing to do but suck out his snot.”
“Eww.” This from Ruby, who I nod in agreement with.
Maddy snorts. “It’s not like I eat it or anything. They have these nose sucker-outer thingies. It’s just that he doesn’t know how to get comfortable. I feed him all the time, which usually settles him down, but he’s lost a bit of his appetite right now, which they say is normal. Chains, of course, is freaking out worse than me, which doesn’t help. He wants us to get another opinion, and I don’t know how much the next guy will help. Wyatt is just a baby. He can’t talk and only knows how to cry. Which he does all the time. I know this will pass, but I just hate it right now ’cause I can’t help him like I want to.”
“Here you go, little man.” Izzy brings the baby to his mama. He reaches out instantly and then clings to Maddy as soon as she has him. He wrestles around for a bit till she finds that rocking rhythm all moms seem to know, and he settles down with his face in her neck.
“Wyatt. Good name. Comes from an Old English name that means ‘battle’ and ‘brave.’ Both good points with the kid growing up as a Hound.” Cheyanne nods, as if agreeing with her own thoughts.
“Yeah, that’s what we wanted. A strong name for a strong guy. He went through a lot to get here and needs to continue to be strong for the world he’s in.” He whimpers again, and from here, I can tell he’s looking for something. “Guess his appetite is back. You guys mind if I feed him? I usually don’t like to do it with all the club here, but he eats so little now, I’m half afraid he’ll lose his appetite if I move him. He’s done it before.”
“Hell no, girl. Whip those titties out. Heck, we all will.”
I stare at Ruby with big eyes. I so do not want to do that, but I’ve got a feeling if she said we had to, we would.
Thankfully, she only sends me a wink and a grin, and I relax, seeing she’s joking.
Maddy laughs. “Nah. Only one of us needs to deal with the discomfort.”
“What discomfort? Feeding a kid in public? That should not be something to be ashamed of just because society in the US depicts it to be ill-mannered. Those in Europe see it for the benefit it provides. While there’s nothing against anyone who uses formula to feed their kid, there’s documentation that breast milk helps protect against illnesses, promote brain activity, and increase a woman’s recovery after birth as well as your metabolism.”
I’m not the only one who smiles at Cheyanne after her little sermon. I think I see why the other girls love her so much. She makes people accept themselves and provides facts to prove they’re doing fine. Some are odd, but I can see that, in her mind, if it’s proven with science and documentation, then everything is fine.
“Thanks, sweetie, but it’s not that. I’ve got no problem showing them off to feed my kid. It’s the discomfort of the bras. They claim to be the best for nursing, but they only seem to pinch me all over and don’t really give me the lift I want. They probably feel awesome for someone three sizes smaller, but not for big-breasted girls like me.”
“You should try Bailey’s,” Jules says all casual like, and the rest of the table goes quiet.
