finish sucking off my club brothers and high-five each other. “Them, I get. No games. Just fucking and partying. That makes sense.”
“Yeah, but they can still turn up pregnant like Velma did with Fuse. They can still give you a raging case of syphilis. They can still get attached and clingy and jealous when you pay attention to other sweet butts. Connecting with anyone is complicated, and not everyone is suited for relationships.”
Hugh pauses long enough to size me up. “Nothing wrong with staying solo. You like your space. I’m unsure Shelby’s suited for a relationship either. Except there’s pressure to pretend as if you need what everyone else needs. Still, even without relationships, there’s always drama. The sweet butts throw tantrums at times. The guys do too. Those twats Pom-Pom and Vowel threw down over the same chick they wanted to pound one night. Slutty people cause drama just as much as the committed ones. We just do it with more flair.”
Grinning, I admit Hugh’s not what I expected. He’s easier to be around than Utah. Less of a grump, I guess. I also like how Hugh’s not really one of the guys. He’s an outsider in the Reapers. I feel like one too. I thought I was one of the Skullz, but they ditched me in prison.
I guess I don’t fit much of anywhere. I think Hugh gets that. Though I see him with his three chick friends. He’s not an outsider with them. Huh, maybe he don’t get it either.
“How come you think Shelby isn’t right for commitment?” I ask after a few songs play, and I finish two beers.
“She’s prickly. Like me, I guess. She wants shit the way she wants it. The people in her life know how to bend to her rather than her bending to them,” Hugh says and drinks more beer. “Now I’m not saying she’s unlikable. She’s fun to be around. I just don’t think she can add a man to the mix in the way someone like Ramona or Max could. My friends naturally bend to the will of stronger people. I don’t think Shelby does, and I can’t imagine a weak man would interest her. That’s why I think she’s better suited to remain alone. She’s attracted to the kind of men that wouldn’t fit in her life.”
“Then good thing I ain’t interested.” When Hugh rolls his eyes, I shrug. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t fuck her. I’ll fuck any attractive woman. Maybe a few ugly ones too. I’m not picky.”
“Well, fucking Shelby isn’t a smart idea if you don’t want more. She’s got that clingy vibe that makes me think she’ll stalk you and cause trouble if things went wrong.”
“You don’t like her,” I mutter, protective of a woman I don’t trust. Her beauty’s gotten me all messed up.
“No, she’s the exact kind of woman I like. Weird and funny and loyal. You seem like you want normal and easy. That she isn’t, so keep your dick away from her.”
“Are you threatening me?”
Hugh’s laughter nearly sends me across the table. I could break his thin body and rip off his head. Even knowing I can smash him up, he chuckles at my question. The balls are huge on this little guy.
“But if you do decide to nail her,” he says after he stops laughing at me, “be sure to make sure your dick isn’t sick with anything. Giving Shane Campbell’s sister an STI will surely get you killed. Or at least assigned the shittiest jobs.”
“Well, I’ll go to the clinic and get the tests to make sure my dick is clean enough for the queen.”
“Princess,” Hugh corrects and waves over the waitress for another beer. “Shelby would view her mother as the queen. She’s a huge mama’s girl.”
“What are you, her fucking diary?”
Hugh laughs again. Even knowing he’s laughing at me, I don’t want to tear his head off this time. I’d forgotten how men can joke around. In prison, I didn’t trust anyone. Not even Swamp Thing and Grabby, who were better at making allies. While I assumed they hadn’t known I was gonna get pinched, I still didn’t trust them.
I still don’t anyone, but Hugh ain’t bad. If I have to do some buddy system shit on that three-day ride with the Reapers, I’ll pick this little blond to be my sidekick. A regular old Mutt and Jeff routine.
THE CHAPTER WHERE SHE WANTS HIS DICK
THE WEIRDO
Nearly every day, my mom and I talk online using our