Smoke'n'Booze

V.

3rd person POV

Almost one week went by without any incidents. Chibs kept his word to Erin and every night there was a son at the front of the bar, taking care of security business. Erin was glad,  because knew she had not fear anything with the guard up front. Every night when she closed the bar, Chibs made it a habit to stop by. Some days he stayed over night, other days he just came by to see for himself that everything is alright.
Luke kept himself in his room or in the basement, barely talking to anyone especially his mother.
On the following Monday Erin sat herself in a booth at her bar, leaning over the table, handling the finances. The prospect Chibs sent her took care of restocking the bar. Erin liked the kid. He never complained about anything and he was eager to help. She had to talk about that with Chibs, because she wanted to pay the kid. "Hey, Ryan. Would you bring me a coke, please?" "Yeah sure, boss." She shook her head, smiling down at her books. She told him about a million times not to call her boss but Erin. He still refused and kept calling her boss. When he placed a coke kn front of her, she sighed. "Goddammit. I hate paying bills." "Everyone does, boss." She smiled up at the lanky kid in front of her. "How old are you Ryan?" "22. Why?" Erin shrugged. "Just asking... you make a good job, son." Ryan smiled at her, when someone knocked on the door. Ryan went over and checked the door, unlocked it. Tig and Chibs entered the bar. "Heya partner." Tig smiled at her. Erin kind of grew onto Tig, he was easy to be with. The guys went over to her, sweating themselves opposite of her. "Hey... what are you doing here at this day time of the day?" She looked to the clock, it was just around 2 PM. "Checking on you, if you need anything." Tig smiled. Chibs looked over to her, staying silent. He always was silent. Only when Erin and Chibs were both alone on her roof terrace, they talked. "Yeah, take me away from the books...", she sighed and closed the financial papers. "Ryan, be so kind, and hand over two beers for my special guests." She winked at Chibs.
After the kiss that one night and the morning after, they never were any intimate. Nothing except hugging and cuddling. "Actually we both decided to stay here tonight." Tig said when Ryan handed over two beers. "How come?" "Dull day, nothing much to do. The others can take a break and we both like to be busy." "Tig, come on... younare just here for flirting with me and Lucy and to eat half of my fridge empty." "Come on, I am not tha.... what did you cook today?" Erin and the guys shared a laugh. "Go upstairs, I made a fresh pot of Chili. I overheard Ryan's phone call earlier, when you told him you'll stop by." Tig jumped to his feet and leaned down to kiss Erin's cheek. "You are the best, Momma. Come on, kid, let's get our faves stuffed with Chili." Tig and the prospect went upstairs, leaving Chibs and the brunette woman alone. "How are ya doin today, lass?", he asked after taking a swig of his beer. "Could be worse. Still a little nervous. Luke got another message, that these guys will stop by by the end of the week." "I'll be here. He still ain't talkin' to ya?" "Not really. I swear to god, if he won't stop it, I am dragging him outside and run him over with my Pickup." Chins chuckled. "No ya won't." "I know." "I wanted ta ask sumthin else..." Erin looked at Chibs askingly. "Shoot." Chibs played with the bottle between his hands. "Could ya take off the night? I kinda want to take ya out." "A date?" "Maybe." Erin looked at him. "I don't know, Filip. What about the bar?" "Tig could take over and the prospect stays here, too. Both already know how this works." Erin sighed. "Just you and me?" "Aye." "Where?" "I'm not going ta spill tha part." She rolled her eyes. "Fine. But the club pays for everything Tig destroys." "Nope, he pays." Erin cocked an eyebrow. "You know Tig is constantly broke, so... not gonna work, buddy." Chibs snickered. "All right, the Club pays." "Well then okay, Mister president. I am going. Now... tell me at least one thing. What shall I wear?"

At around five Chibs was sitting outside of the bar on his bike. He filled in the prospect and Tig earlier and both agreed to help out. Now he waited for Erin to get ready, while he smoked a cigarette. His back was to the bar, when he heard the jingle of the bell above the bar door. "Take care of my bar, or I am going to hunt you guys forever in your dreams! If anything happens, give us a call and we will be back in no time." Erin told the boys and closed the door behind her. Chibs turned around and gasped at the sight of Erin. "What? Are my clothes not proper enough? Should I change?" She said and looked down her choice of clothing. Erin wore tight black leggings, a shirt that hugged her curves and showing off some cleavage, her girly bikerboots and a leather jacket above it all. Her brunette hair was straightened out and reached down to almost her hips. Chibs shook his head no, still taking in the sight of her. "Nah, ya look beautiful." Erin blushed. "Shut up... I am not wearing something fancy... this is just normal day clothes..." "Ya don't wear it around yar bar... I assumed yar a denim girl. I like it, love. A lot." She smiled at him, still blushing. "Well you want to take me to a date... honestly I thought I would be underdressed..." Chibs again shook his head no. "Yar fine. Come on, let's head out." He patted the spot behind him on his harley. Erin eyed the bike and then climbed on the seat behind him. He handed her a spare helmet and started the engine.

Chibs POV

I took her hands and put them around my waist. "Hold on tight, love."
It was obviously to long ago since I had someone riding bitch with me, but somehow it felt right riding out with Erin. I drove us out of the street into the main street. Feeling Erin get comfortable with me and my bike, I sped up a little. Driving through town and then out of Stockton. Inner freedom washed over me and I felt content on my harley with Erin behind me. Erin layed her head on my back and followed every movement I made.
After a hour we passed the sign of Charming. I stopped at a parking spot next to the road and killed the engine.  "What's here?", Erin asked curiously. "Nothing. I just wanted ta stop for a minute, filling ya in what we are going ta do." "Ok fine, tell me." She let go of me and fixed her hair underneath the helmet a little. "I  need to stop by at the garage for a few minutes and then we will head out to eat sumthin. Afterwards I want ta show ya sumthin." Erin nodded. "Ok, let's roll." I laughed at her. "I guess ya like riding with ma?" "Well it had been over 15 years since I was able to ride, so yeah, I do." "So ya just like ma for ma harley then?" She laughed. "Abso-fuckin-lutely." I smirked when her arms sneaked around my mid again and she leaned in to whisper into my ear. "But the fact that you're a  badass harley enthusiast helps, too."

Ten minutes later we drove into the lot of Teller-Morrow automotive repair. I parked my bike, just like in old times and turned off the engine. Erin jumped off the bike and put down the helmet, shaking out her beautiful long hair. Realizing that I wasn't the only one who was staring at the beautiful woman in front of me, I huffed and got off my bike too.
Suddenly the door of the office was yanked open and two boys ran in our direction. "Uncle Chibby!" I grinned and crouched down to lift the smaller one up, spinning him around a little. The elder boy hugged my me tightly. "Hi ta ya two." Erin watched us from the side and smiled a little. "Uncle Chibby? Who's the lady?", the elder boy asked, when he realized someone being with me. "That my dear Abel and Thomas is Erin. Behave around her, she has a son too, and she's not afraid of two wild boys." I winked at her, when Abel walked over to her and shook her hand. "Welcome Erin. I am Abel, and this is Tommy, my little brother." "Nice to meet both of you." Then a blonde woman, a little younger than Erin walked over. "Boys what did I tell you about not bothering the grownups?" I chuckled quietly and let Thomas down. "Sorry Mum." Abel said and took Thomas hand, guiding him to the playground. "Wendy." I made my way over to her and hugged her. She pulled away and looked at Erin. "Wendy, this is Erin. Erin, Wendy." "Nice to meet you." Both woman greeted each other and Wendy ogled her suspiciously. Oh boy.   "Ehy are you here Chibs?" "Just stopping by the bring ya the money from the house sale." Wendy sighed. "It really is sold?" "Yes, it had ta be. Yar living with the boys and Nero in Gemma's ole residence, why keeping the one in Oakland and Jackson's ole place." "Dunno. I just feel bad about it." I nodded and handed her an envelope. "Oh I plan on a barbecue. You guys coming? Just like in old times?" I looked at her. "Dunno if it is a good idea, Wendy. I bring it ta the table and let ya know, alright?" "Girlfriends and families are welcome, too." She looked between Erin and me. "I give ya a call, darlin." I hugged her goodbye and turned away from her, taking Erin's hand in mine, walking her back to my bike. She seemed to be in thoughts when I handed her the helmet. Quietly both of us mounted my bike and I drove us out of the lot.
I decided to take her to Potty's Pastries, a small diner like bakery. When we got off the harley, Erin looked at me. "I didn't want to say something, but... you've been through a lot, am I right?" I sighed. "Aye. A lot of shite. But nuthin ta worry about. It's in the past." Suddenly Erin hugged me. "I am here. If you want to talk, I am here.", she said quietly and rubbed my back. I returned the hug and I felt instantly better. Taking her hand in mine I led her into the bakery.