Saving Dallas (Saving Dallas 1)

“Here I am!” I said smiling.

“Well come on and let me get you a beer,” Red said, grabbing my arm and leading me to the other side of the bar. From the angle we were now at, I could see Luke looking like a damn celebrity -- shaking hands, hugging necks, and kissing women on the cheek. I tried not to let it bother me, but I just couldn’t help it. Why was he acting like I was not even there?

“Two Millers, Cas,” Red said to the hot bartender who looked like she belonged in a fashion magazine and not behind this dusty old bar. I wondered why someone who looked like her would want to work in a place like this. Then I noticed the overflowing tip jars and I knew. She probably made more money in a weekend here than she would working a whole month in some clothing store.

“Thanks,” I said as she handed me my beer.

“No problem,” she replied with a wink.

“Sorry Cas, this one is taken,” Red said, wrapping her arm possessively around my waist. Cas just gave a slight shrug then turned to help another demanding customer.

“She likes you. This means that when the guys start bringing in whiskey and feeding it to her, she is gonna come looking for you. You can thank me later,” Red said, pulling out a barstool and gesturing for me to have a seat. We sat down, facing Luke from across the bar. I lifted my beer as a toast to Red and we clanked bottles.

“So, are ya wondering how he does it?” Red asked. Never letting her eyes leave Luke.

“Does what? Pretends that I don’t exist?” I blurted out.

Red laughed. “Honey you should feel very special. You are the envy of every girl in here. Luke has not brought a woman around for some time. For your pretty little ass to even have the opportunity to grace the back of his bitch seat is more than most women who have known Luke for years get.”

“Then why doesn’t he introduce me?” I asked, sounding much like a petulant child.

Red turned to face me. “What the hell do you want exactly, hmm? For him to give you his un-divided attention at all times? For him to turn his back on what he has worked so hard for just to make sure you feel appreciated and comfortable? Do you want to know why he hasn’t introduced you? Because you are nothing. This is a CDC world you are living in honey and the sooner you figure it out the better off you will be. Stop being so fucking selfish for once in your life and know your place.”

I was shocked at the outburst. She had not said it with any type of animosity, only matte- of-fact. “CDC?” I asked, another biker reference I had never heard of.

“Cunts Don’t Count. It’s not derogatory or demeaning it’s just how it is. See this is a man’s world. We are only here for decoration and moral support. You will always come second. It’s kinda hard to deal with at first, especially for someone like you who is used to getting everything she wants. But, it has a way of growing on you,” she said, pulling a cigarette out and lighting it.

“Why would you want to surround yourself with people who consider you a nobody?” I asked, truly intrigued by what she had just shared with me.

“You see that man right there?” she asked, pointing to Regg. “He is the reason I do this. I love him and this family. I am appreciated, loved, and respected. As long as I know my place and stay out of club business, I will always be welcome and have a family here.”

“Ok, I am confused. If you don’t matter, why are you here?”

“I never said I didn’t matter. Stop trying to look at it as a bad thing. There is not a man in here that would do anything to disrespect you. You can have a good time, be protected, and genuinely loved by everyone here. But, these men are not here to see you. They are here for Luke, because he asked them to come. He doesn’t introduce you because you are not of importance right now. If you had a title it would be hang-around, unless you and Luke have become an item in the last twenty-four hours. If and when you become official, chances are, even then, he won’t be rolling the red carpet out for you. When you walked through that door with him, everyone in the room knew who you were and that was property of the Devil’s Renegades President LLC.”

I sat on the stool with my mouth slightly open, trying to take in all that she had just told me. Was this the life I want? Did I really want to play second fiddle to a bunch of greasy bikers? What the hell was wrong with me? Life I wanted. Hell, I just met the guy. I had so many more questions I wanted to ask but the band was taking the stage and Red’s attention had quickly turned to them. I suddenly wanted nothing more than to leave from this place. I didn’t belong here and I knew it. It was apparent that Luke didn’t much want me here either; if he did he would be here beside me. Wouldn’t he? I looked across the bar to see him chatting with a pretty blonde. Judging by his facial expressions and the sexy smile on his face, I knew that he was flirting. I watched him as he put his arm around her shoulders and whispered something in her ear, causing her to throw her head back in laughter.