Bring It On

Chapter 4

Anna-Lee's POV

Tanner has noticed I haven't really left the house much since moving here, so today he's bringing me to the compound with him for a party. The main reason I haven't left, is because I'm not comfortable driving to places I've never been before. Except I have gone to a bar that was in neutral territory a couple of times that was next to the grocery store Tanner and I frequent, but nothing outside of that. I had to force myself to drive here, and the entire time, I had to force myself to not turn around. I also can't sleep in a pitch dark room, sit with my back to people, and I can't take baths or go swimming. It took me a bit after what happened for me to even be able to take a shower. The main reason I haven't had sex with any of the men who've offered to scratch my itch, is because Tanner doesn't know and the moment they see my scars, they'll open their mouths to him and then I will have to deal with his questions. It was my parents who lied to him about where I was for two years, so I decided to just leave it be. After all, the whole town thinks I was off traveling and seeing the world the two years I was in the nut house. I fucking hated it there, I refuse to ever go back. I had to do my damnedest to convince them I was okay enough to leave.

 I did my best to change my looks after that. I was tired of looking in the mirror and seeing the woman that broke. I grew out my hair, I got tattoos and I got piercings. The piercings on my nipples were so that when I had sex, it wouldn't feel the same when someone touched them. I can't have sex without them, because guys enjoy touching my breasts, and the piercings ensure I don't have the same feeling as I did when I was younger. That feeling was a trigger and getting them pierced was the only solution that worked. It still took a bit for me to enjoy sex though, but now I need it. I need the silence my mind becomes after having an orgasm. I was going a little insane going so long without it, but I refuse to let Tanner know his baby sister is fucking broken. 

I agreed to go to the party though to get out of the house and try to enjoy myself a bit. The party was in full swing by the time we arrived and he lead me inside. He was quick to introduce me to many of the brothers who were all nice. Some did peak my sexual interest, but I had to calm myself. These brothers were close and didn't keep many secrets from each other, especially when it comes to one of their family members. I took a beer and a blunt and began to enjoy the party. Eventually I found myself sitting on the bar, the only place where I can see the entire club, and no one was hanging out behind the bar. 

Viper came and sat on a bar stool next to where I was sitting. "Sitting on the bar is a new one," he said to me before lighting a cigarette. "It's more comfortable," I told him. He nodded, "I know." I met his eyes then, and I could tell he possibly knew why it was comfortable. "Not the full details because that file was classified, but I read the medical reports." "Who else knows," I asked him. "Just Reaper, Crew, and I. I had Crew look into you to ensure you weren't a threat," he told me. "Does Ranger know?" "No," I said before taking a drag of my own cigarette. "My parents lied to him. The whole town really." He nodded, "Crew, Reaper, and I won't say shit to him. Not our place." I studied him for a moment before nodding. "Thanks." 

We then fell into silence and I watched the party. When I first got here, Reaper had taken a blonde upstairs. Maybe an hour or so later, she came down looking like she had been fucked into oblivion and couldn't really walk. When he down a little while later, you could tell he was freshly showered. As the party went on, he took another upstairs and it was like a repeat. It was clear he didn't let women sleep in his bed and he had to shower afterwards. 

When he came back down, he made his way over to the bar where Viper and I hadn't moved. He eyed me on the bar, but didn't say anything. He went around and I twisted to watch him. He grabbed a bottle of Jack. He eyed me for a moment and came out from behind the bar with the bottle and sat on a bar stool on the other side of Viper and I fully faced forward again. When a blunt made its way over to us I took a hit before passing it to Viper. I held it for a bit before releasing it, my shoulders relaxing. I might not be getting laid but this was a hell of a lot better than sitting on my ass at home. I was going stir crazy. 

Eventually everyone in the club passed out, including Tanner. I fell asleep sitting in a chair at one of the tables. 

When I woke up, no one else was yet. I decided to get some fresh air with my cigarette. I was leaning against the wall of the compound, looking out at the large dirt parking lot filled with bikes and cars. Across the street was a dense forest. It was peaceful out here. I flicked ashes from my cigarette when Reaper came out. He didn't say anything as he lit a cigarette of his own. He sat on the railing of the porch, studying me. I raised an eyebrow at him, but I wasn't expecting any words to come from him. 

"It doesn't get easier does it," he asked me. I knew he had been tortured and it fucked with him. It happened more recently than what happened to me. I nodded, "It does. You do fall into habits that you just can't shake, but it does get easier." We fell into silence as we continued to enjoy our cigarettes. "Does he know," he asked me. I knew he was talking about Tanner. "No," I answered. "My parents lied to him, and I didn't bother saying anything. I thought it better that he not know his baby sister was fucked up in the head." He nodded and didn't say anything else after that and that was fine with me. He then went inside, but I stayed out for a bit enjoying the peace. 

When I went inside I saw a few were beginning to wake up. Viper was at the coffee maker at the bar, pouring himself a cup. "Want some," he asked me. I nodded and poured myself a cup. 

I was enjoying my coffee when Tanner came stumbling up to the bar hung over. I laughed softly and shook my head at him. He flipped me off, not in the mood to use his words. I left him be so he could enjoy his pain killers and coffee in peace. 

Before he had to go off and do a job for the club, he took me home, before he was off to do whatever it is he needed to and I was ready for a proper rest in my bed.