VJ

9 - What are the odds?

Chloe

“Is this really necessary, Max? You know I don’t like coming to this clubhouse.”

I have nothing against Max’s biker family, but I don’t interact with them outside of music classes. Okay, I speak to those whose children attend classes with me, and I will say hello to those who talk to me in town. I also speak to Max’s mother when she pops into our apartment. But I don’t attend parties at the clubhouse because it makes me uncomfortable.

I feel so out of my depth around these people. I’m not like them. I’m not a violent person, even if I do have a mouth on me when someone pisses me off.

I don’t want to seem rude to my best friend, but this isn’t me. Max has never dragged me here as a way to make up for something I upset him about. I feel like he’s punishing me for staying out last night!

We are also late because of me. I got home late and then had to shower and change. It takes me more than an hour to do my makeup alone. Max was getting impatient, but I made him see that I did not want to embarrass him or myself. So, he waited like the good friend he is. However, that means all eyes will be on us when we walk into that place.

Great!

“My brother is finally home, Chloe. I’d like you to meet him.”

“Why?”

He’s never wanted me to meet the infamous VJ before now. Not that I could; the man was in prison. Max once told me that he’d never allow me to have anything to do with his brother because he’s dangerous. The only pictures I’ve ever seen of VJ were when he was a child. I asked Max for a more recent one a few months ago, but Max told me that VJ doesn’t like having his photograph taken, so there were none.

There aren’t even any pictures of VJ past the age of ten in his parents’ house. Believe me, I checked the wall of photos when I first visited with Max.

Max laughed when he realized what I was doing. He then told me he wasn’t lying when he said there were none. Though his mother had a couple in a photo album, but they were from ten years ago and from a side profile. So, I couldn’t really tell what VJ looked like.

I don’t know much about VJ besides what Max told me. Psychopath, he told me — not the serial killer kind, but a psychopath, nonetheless.

Max also told me how much he loves VJ, his other best friend. That all he wants is the best for him. He wants VJ to meet someone who can melt his heart and show him that he is capable of love.

How can anyone be incapable of love?

I don’t believe that to be true. A person may not understand the emotion, but they can feel it. All it takes is one person to show them love, and they will feel it.

I want to make up my mind about what kind of man VJ is. I never judge a person on the words of others. Because what one person thinks is not what everyone will believe.

But what do I know?

VJ is Max’s brother, not mine.

Max turns to me, smiles, and takes my shoulders in his hands. He’s so handsome; it’s a pity we never felt anything more than friendship for each other. Not that he’d feel that for me; he’s in love with Daisy, and I love her too; she’s amazing.

However, Daisy isn’t here right now; she’s on her way home from her trip to Europe. Daisy has been gone for a few weeks, and Max misses her terribly. I need to be there for him right now. Be the friend he is to me.

Max is dressed in black jeans and a black button-down shirt, his brown hair slicked back, and he smells amazing. I’m dressed in a light blue dress that sits perfectly on my knees. It’s long-sleeved and covers everything I don’t want anyone to see. My heels are three-inch and blue silk. My hair is in a French twist, and my makeup is light. I didn’t want to dress like a whor.e. I do not want to have these bikers think that’s who I am. I’m not one, and I never will be one.

I also hope none of them come on to me. Trust me, it’s happened before. Not that any of them have ever been disrespectful toward me. Just because a man finds a woman attractive, and she isn’t interested, doesn’t mean she has to be a bitc.h toward him. Any man who has tried it on with me, I’ve politely told them I’m not interested, and they’ve smiled and respected me. They told me I was beautiful, winked, and walked away.

“It’s not like you’re not going to meet VJ at some point, Chlo. I know I kept you away from him when you and I first met, but I had my reasons.”

Max and I met two and a half years ago. However, I didn’t meet any of his family until a year into our friendship. Max wasn’t hiding them from me, but I was a very busy woman back then. When I did meet his family, VJ wasn’t there. Max never tried to introduce me to his brother, though he never told me why, but I didn’t think much about it.

“VJ is a massive part of my life, Chloe. I know I didn’t introduce you when we first met or in the months following, but I didn’t think you’d be able to handle him.”

I raise my eyebrows and smirk.

Max rolls his eyes playfully. “I didn’t know you well enough back then, Chloe. VJ is a lot for our family to handle, never mind our friends. But you are important to me, Chloe. You live with me, for Christ’s sake, and I know I can’t hide you away from VJ forever. I know you now, and I know you’ll be just fine. You’re my best friend; you know all of my family and all the important people in my life, but VJ is important to me, too. He’s kinda my best friend, too.”

I smile at him and the sweet look on his face.

I’ll never know how Max came from a family of bikers. He’s nothing like them at all. He took a different path in life with his racing, but he doesn’t deny them either. Max loves his family, and he’s proud of them. And that is how it should be.

“Just one word of warning before we go in,”

“Okay?”

“VJ isn’t like most people, Chloe. He’s dangerous and can’t control himself most of the time.”

I nod. “You’ve said that many times, Max.”

“I know, but he’ll insult you without meaning to, and I don’t want you to be hurt by it.”

I chuckle. “I won’t be hurt by a few words, Max. Besides, I’ll give as good as I get, and he’s the one whose feelings will be hurt.”

Max shakes his head. “He won’t. VJ feels nothing, Chloe.”

“Nothing?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing.”

How can a person feel nothing at all?

“Well, anger, obsession, all the negative, violent feelings most won’t experience in life.”

Okay, VJ sounds crazy.

“He’ll flirt with you,”

“Why me? You just said he would insult me.”

“Yes, he might insult you, but he won’t mean to. It’s just the way he is. VJ has no filter or tact. He’ll flirt with you because you’re beautiful, Chloe.”

I smile. It’s nice to hear that sometimes, even if it is your best friend telling you such.

“VJ will pick up on that instantly. He’ll try anything to get you into bed.” It won’t happen. “He’ll use you and toss you aside once he’s done with you because he doesn’t know how else to behave. I don’t want to see you hurt, Chloe.”

“Max, nothing is going to happen between your brother and me. I don’t sleep around. Last night with that guy was just a stupid mistake. I’m not about to make it again. Anyway, I don’t find bikers attractive.”

“That’s what they all say until they meet VJ. Anyway, let’s get inside.”

“Not until you forgive me.”

Max rolls his eyes and smiles. “There’s nothing to forgive. Just don’t scare me like that again. I love you like you were my sister, Chlo. I couldn’t take it if anything happened to you.”

“I will never scare you like that again, I promise. And I love you like you were my only brother, Max.”

“That’s because you don’t actually have a brother.”

I laugh and wrap my arm around his waist as he leads me inside. The place is all kitted out for a party, and a massive banner is hanging over the bar reading Welcome Home VJ. The tables are littered with beer bottles, glasses, and food. Kids are running around, playing, and laughing, and I smile because it’s nice to see.

Max told me once that there are usually club whore.s around the clubhouse, but there are none here today. Max says that’s because the kids are here. No club whore.s are allowed around the children. Nova made it clear years ago that she wouldn’t put up with it. I can’t say I blame her; children don’t need to see those things, and those girls are incredibly sexua.l toward the men here.

There is a group of bikers to the right of the room, their women hanging off them. Each tips their head at me, and I smile in return.

Why do I feel nervous?

Max and I are walking toward the bar, VJ is there, or so Lynette, Max’s mother just told us. The man Max comes to a standstill right behind; the man sitting on the stool drinking whiskey has his back to us. I can see he’s well-built from the broadness of his shoulders.

I take a deep breath in as Max taps the giant of a man on the shoulder. The second he turns in his seat, I almost fall through the fuckin.g floor!

What are the fuckin.g odds?

I don’t think he’s noticed me. He leaps right from his seat, arms around Max’s neck as he pulls him into a massive hug. He’s a couple of inches taller than Max.

“It’s good to fuckin’ see you, little brother.”

“It’s good to see you, too.”

What the fuc.k do I do?

Should I run and hide?

Max is going to kill me. He is literally going to kill me!