Southern steel- Mack

10. Eden

"What am I doing mama?" I ask Cora as we park the car to start moving me in.

"You're spreading your wings pretty girl."

"I don't know if I can do this." I say almost in a whisper. This is culture shock extreme. I've never traveled or been anywhere except the Smoky Mountains. I left my dad's trailer for the clubhouse. This is why I wanted to stay in Tennessee. I'm not meant to be in a big city like this. These people probably come from fancy families with lots of money. I don't know how to fit in here. I was never even good at making friends back home.

Cora reaches across and grabs my hands in hers as she looks me in the eyes. "Oh you can do this. You're going to kick college's ass! You listen to me. You've overcome more than most of the people here. You are beautiful, sweet, tough, and smart. Don't hide while you're here. You've done enough of that. You've hidden and blended in to survive and that's ok because it's what you needed at the time. Now you don't hide you thrive. Be open to new experiences and new people. We'll always be here if you need us. We love you pretty girl."

"I love you too." I say as I give her a hug.

"Now let's go make college your bitch. Also we have some friends up here nearby that own a bar called the Twisted Spoke. If you get bored or lonely they said you can come in or they even have a spot for you to bartend on the weekends. Our buddy Silas said to give you his name and number in case you need it."

We climb out of Cora's car, and Wilder climbs out of my Tahoe. It was a gift from Titan when I graduated with honors. We make our way to residential service and get what we need to head to my dorm.

The dorm is small. It has 2 beds that are slightly raised with dressers underneath. There is a desk at the foot of each bed, and a small closet are on each side by the door. One window between the heads of the beds offers light. It seems cozy. My roommate probably won't move in for another month, so I'll have time to get the lay of the land.

This room may be small, but it's mine. I feel like an actual adult on my own.

We get all my stuff moved in, and my half of the room set up. It's about dinner time, and I'm starving. "Can we go grab some dinner and get some snack and drinks for my room?"

"Why don't we grab dinner at the bar so you can meet the guys and get a feel for the place?" Cora suggests.

"That sounds perfect. I know until all the other people get on campus I'm going to be bored out of my mind. My plan is to get a head start on the reading for my classes. I'd love to meet some people and have a place to hangout that's not too far away." We all pile into Cora's car and take off.

Pulling up to the Twisted Spoke it is much more urban than I'm used to, but I love the feel of it. It has a huge bar and an amazing rooftop space. A big man with a leather cut on heads towards us when we walk in. He is bald but has a long silver beard braided down his chest. "CORA!" He wraps her up in a hug.

"Silas! How ya been asshole?" Cora laughs.

"Same old shit different decade. How's Pops and Your boy? We're real sorry about your Prez. Fuck cancer!"

"Pops and Ty are good. This here is Wilder, one of the club brothers. This pretty thing right here is my girl, Eden. She's the one I told you about."

"Cora told me you were a smart little firecracker. Going to college close by to do big things. We'd love to have you help out at the bar anytime. Cora said you grew up helping out around their club. We're also here if you even need anything. She give you my number?"

"Yes sir."

"None of that sir bullshit. Call me Silas or Si. Let's grab a seat at the bar and I'll introduce you to my bar manager Levi."