our table, Rooster and Akron sit to my right. They’re telling stories to the bunnies about the “good old days.” A normal Tuesday routine for them.
To my left, Bronco and I sit across from Lowell and Topanga. She’s telling stories about how she used to sneak into enemy territory and talk up the other club’s old ladies.
“I know how to learn shit,” Topanga says and winks at me.
Despite her smiles, the woman is clearly irritated. Lowell acts as if he doesn’t notice. Must be part of his recipe for a long marriage.
More than once, I catch Topanga eyeballing the bunnies, who are scattered around the back area. A few girls work the bar while others hang out with the men.
Topanga barely notices most of them. Instead, she focuses very hard on the new girl, Monroe. At first, I assume she’s curious. Not long after the young woman arrived in Elko and talked her way into a job here, Conor called dibs and threatened to steal a nut from any club brother who took a taste. So, despite being a bunny, Monroe hasn’t actually done more than waitress at Rooster’s and move into the apartment building where the other girls live.
Is Topanga here for the gossip? No, most likely, she’s at the bar due to the new girl’s very clear fixation on Lowell.
Conor might have eyes for Monroe, but the young blonde is always peeking at our club VP. Bronco regularly teases his nephew over how his new obsession has a thing for older men.
“Maybe in a few decades, she’ll give you a ride,” Bronco told Conor a few days ago.
Conor chuckled at the razzing, but he has to be annoyed by Monroe’s interest in another man. Did he ask Topanga to scare off the newest bunny?
My mind is back on the burning paper when Monroe heads to the table to drop off a round of beers. Bronco goes very still as if he’s hoping for a chick fight. Topanga stares hardcore at the younger woman, but Monroe only sees a purposely oblivious Lowell. She doesn’t even peek at Conor off in another corner near Drummer. No, Monroe’s got sugar daddy fever—as Bronco calls it.
Giving up on subtlety, Topanga slaps Monroe square in the cheek.
“You scheming little whore,” Lowell’s honey sneers as the bunny backs away, wide-eyed. “How dare you flirt with my man right in front of me? Do you want to get fucked up? Because I’ll have him kill you if you disrespect me again.”
The room falls silent except for the still-playing music overhead. Everyone turns their gaze to the two women. A few bunnies glance at each other, clearly sensing this moment was coming. Other girls look scared as if Topanga might slap them next. My club brothers wear expressions ranging from amusement to boredom. Conor remains absolutely unreadable as he watches the women’s standoff.
Lowell glances at his wife and the bunny before focusing on Bronco and shrugging as if to say, “Chick drama.”
Struck silent, Monroe shrinks under the weight of all the eyes on her. Her left cheek is bright pink. When she doesn’t defend herself right away, Topanga looks ready to sit back down.
Then Monroe blurts out, “I don’t want to fuck Lowell.”
Smelling blood in the water, Topanga leans forward until she’s an inch from Monroe’s face. “Then why, ya basic bitch, are you always slobbering over him, huh?”
“I think he might be my dad.”
Topanga gasps, dialing up the drama as she glares at a now wide-eyed yet frozen Lowell. “You sloppy fucker,” she growls at her husband.
Loving drama, Bronco hides a grin behind his hand. Besides, not so long ago, he got razzed plenty over his surprise baby, Carina.
Topanga turns back to Monroe. “Wait, how old are you?”
“Twenty-one.”
Topanga’s entire demeanor shifts, and she flashes a bright smile. “Oh, then, that’s fine. You were conceived during the pre-Topanga era,” she announces and pats her husband’s back.
And that’s how Lowell and Topanga added a pumpkin to their porch.
PART 9: EPILOGUES
PIXIE
I’ve never loved the winter as much as that first one with Anders. The chilly weather and dangerous roads force him to stay home often. We spend hours together, talking, watching movies, and cuddling. Anders craves the quiet with me.
Familiarity is how he grew so attached to Bronco. Following his president around, day after day, created a bond that Anders didn’t know how to build otherwise. Unsure how to get close to people, he forgets to talk and rarely asks questions.