I broke my own heart loving you.
- Unknown
“Thanks, Barb.”
She casts a friendly smile at me as she stands in the doorway and holds Maverick’s hand in my direction. I reach my palm out to him, and he eagerly grabs it, a happy grin taking over his face, excited to be home. “You’re welcome; you two have a safe trip and try to have some fun.”
“We will. Enjoy your free time, too.”
“Oh, I don’t mind having Maverick around; he makes me feel young again.” The older woman chuckles, waves, and heads toward her car.
Usually, I pick Mav up on my way home, but Barbara was out running errands and saved me the trip. It worked out perfectly, too; it gave me enough time to get my car loaded up with everything for our trip. My nerves were kind enough to show up as well. I was hoping to leave them behind, but, apparently, they didn’t feel the same way. Hopefully, the drive will chill me out some.
It looks like we’re going across the country or something when it’s only four hours away. Anyone with kids knows that you have to pack everything but the kitchen sink practically, to keep almost-three-year-olds busy, especially at a wedding. Bikers or not, I don’t want to bring too much attention to us, or any attention at all.
“Hey, buddy.” Pulling him in for a snuggle, I wrap my arms around. “I missed you today. Are you ready for our trip to see Aunt Prissy?”
“Yes! She has gummies?”
Six months since her trip here and he still talks about her spoiling him with gummy bears. He was in such a sugar rush during her visit; I thought I was going to strangle her. He doesn’t need a grandma to feed him sugar on visits when he has Princess.
“Knowing her, probably. The car’s all ready. Is there anything I’m forgetting?” I made him pick out some toys to fit in one backpack, no more. He tried to tell me we needed to bring his toy box, but it wasn’t happening.
He taps his chin, looking around the living room.
He’s so freaking adorable with his black locks he gets from both Nightmare and me, along with big brown eyes from his father that haunt my memories. Hopefully, no one looks close enough, or they’ll be able to figure out whose blood runs through his body pretty easily.
“Ummm…snacks?” Surprise, surprise; snacks was one of the kid’s first words.
“Got ‘em.”
“Ummm…Mr. Bwair?”
“Got Mr. Bear, too.”
“Ummm…” He looks at me, his eyebrow raising and shrugs.
“That’s what I was thinking. First trip this far away, I’m sure we’ll figure it out soon enough.”
Yeah, so I ended up forgetting my cash, and two hours down the road had to turn around when I stopped to get gas and only found a twenty in my purse. A four-hour road trip turned into eight hours, and let’s just say, Maverick was not amused in the slightest, at my mishap.
“I thought you’d never get here!” Princess squeezes me tightly, again. She’s done it three times since she opened her front door.
“God, me too. Just be glad the kid passed out, or you’d be ready for us to leave already.”
“No way, I love the little guy. I was hoping he’d be awake. I’m thinking once Viking gets around Maverick, he’ll want to have some kids of our own.”
“Trust me, he was super grouchy the hour before he finally gave in. His favorite word was ‘NO.’ I’m pretty sure he said it fifty times and threw so many damn action figures, they’ll forever be lost in my car.”
She laughs, finding enjoyment in my mini ride of torture. Payback—one day she’ll be calling me, flipping out because her kids being a brat and then I’ll laugh. It’s what best friends do.
“Well, hopefully after some rest, he’ll be in a better mood tomorrow. He can run after Odin and get some exercise too.”
“That sounds good to me. Now, please tell me you have some wine?”
“I have vodka and OJ; will that do the trick?”
“Definitely, hook it up.” I follow her into the kitchen and take a seat at the table. “Thank you for letting us stay with you, I hope we don’t bother you though. Mav still gets up really early.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t want you anywhere else. And besides, I’ve stayed with you, and he’s a lot quieter than I’d expect.”
“Yeah, cartoons and a bowl of cereal and he’s pretty calm. He needs time to wake up and get going.”
“Just like his mom.” She winks, and I smile. I love being here, even after a long trip and an hour of kid yelling to make it here.
“So what’s the plan for tomorrow exactly?”
I’m nervous, but at the same time, I’m excited to see the guys. I don’t expect them to remember me, but I could never forget the rough group of bikers. They’re Princess’ family now, and I’m so happy she’s found her tribe. I always knew she belonged in the MC world. Her parents and brother were deep into it; she just needed the right piece to make her fit as well. That turned out to be Viking, and he’s the President of the entire club. Go figure.
She sets the glass in front of me, taking the seat to my left and sips her own drink. “Pretty much just hang out. We’re having a barbecue at the club to welcome some visiting members, mostly the Nomads coming in for the wedding, but both clubs will be there.”
“The hybrids and the Oath Keepers?”
“Yes, but don’t call them hybrids; the Widow Makers were patched over to the Oath Keepers. Oath Keepers essentially took over the Widow Maker name. They let a small charter keep the patch in South Carolina, but Viking’s club here is Oath Keepers. You already know that much though. He works with Ares a lot; they’re practically BFFs now.”
“That’s crazy, considering they hated each other with a passion in the beginning.”
“I know, but they both love my father, and, thankfully, were able to bond over him and work through their shit. It makes things so much easier.”
“Okay, so the same guys that were with your dad and Ares are under Ares, and the others belong to Viking’s charter?”
“Right, that’s why we moved a little ways out of town. This way they can each have separate clubs.”
“Jesus, y’all must run Texas by now.”
“With the size of the clubs, we’re definitely dominant in this state.”
“Listen to you, no doubt a President’s wife.”
“Ol’ lady.” She winks. “And it has taken time to get there, believe me.”
“You fit so well, though. Who'd have thought this is how your life would turn out?”
“I know, and the freaky part is, I’ve never been happier. I wish my mom was here to be a part of it all.”
“She is, Princess. That woman wouldn’t let you out of her sight when it comes to the club. I know she’s looking down on you every day.”
“I hope so.” She wipes a stray tear away as the front door opens with Viking and Odin piling through.
“Well, there’s trouble.” Viking acknowledges me, walking to his woman and giving her a blistering kiss.
“Hey.” I smile, and Odin bends over, giving me a half hug.
I’ve met him before; Viking makes him come with Princess on each visit. He says it’s to keep Odin busy, but we all know it’s to protect Princess if she ever needed it. He may only be eighteen, but he’s a tank—a lethal one at that—and Princess is the closest thing he has in his life now to a mom, older sister, female friend, etc.
“’Sup Bethany, how was the drive?” Odin nods, heading to the fridge.
“Long; glad to finally be here.”
“Bet.” He nods again, pulling out a pack of lunch meat and some mayo, heading to the counter to make a sandwich.
Viking detaches from Princess after a moment, “Where’s this mini version my ol’ lady won’t stop talking to me about?”
“He’s asleep, but you’ll meet him tomorrow.” And Maverick will no doubt be curious with Viking. He already thinks Odin is the greatest thing since peanut butter and jelly because he spins him around a million times like he enjoys.
“Good. I’m hitting the shower,” he grumbles, glancing at Princess. They have their own language it seems; they always have.
“Night, Viking.” I smile politely, and he salutes me, heading toward their bedroom.
He’s not a man of many words, but, from what I remember, none of the bikers talk much. Kind of weird for them to have a barbecue. Do they just stand around quiet, drinking beer? I will no doubt laugh if I see it happen tomorrow because it’s so not what you’d expect to see with a bunch of bikers.
I’d met most of them a few times before I found out I was pregnant and moved away. They stuck together out in public, and when I was with Nightmare, no one bothered him. Some of Princess’ dad’s bikers had shown up the next morning, but they were all talking about a car when I made it out of the hotel room.
I wonder if Ruger will be there. He was friendly; I think he liked me, too. He went swimming with us once and was pretty funny. He’d attempted to get fresh, too, but I shot him down right away. I’d only ever had eyes for one brother.
“I should get some sleep, too. Maverick will be up early, and I’ll need energy to keep up with him tomorrow around everyone.”
“He’ll have a few other kids to play with, too. London and Cain’s kids will be there, and their youngest daughter is the same age, I think.”
“Oh, good. It’ll be nice to have a beer and some adult conversation that I actually want to have. I get so tired of the assholes hitting on me at the restaurant.”
“I can imagine, but don’t be surprised if the guys hit on you tomorrow, too.”
“But, I’ll have my son with me.”
She snorts, “Pahleese, a little boy won’t scare any of them off. They’ll take one look at those hips and won’t care about anything else.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I mumble, and her grin falls.
“You’ll have fun, I promise.”
“I know, don’t worry about me. I’m here for you, remember?”
“You don’t know how much it means to me that you are.”
“No worries, woman. Now go attend to your fiancé. I’m pretty sure he was sending you silent messages with the looks he gave you on the way to y’all’s room.”
“He’s insatiable.” She laughs, and Odin makes a gagging sound.
“Don’t wanna hear that shit,” he says around a mouthful of sandwich, and Princess picks up an ink pen that was on a notebook in the middle of the table. He looks at us, and she throws the pen at his forehead.
He ducks, cursing, and we both laugh. She knows how to keep him on his toes, I’m sure of it. If Prissy and Viking do ever have kids of their own, the kids are in for a ride no doubt.
“Goodnight, you guys, see you tomorrow.” I climb to my feet, and Princess follows.
“Yep, I’ll be the pretty one.”
“Oh my God, he’s made your head get bigger since I left,” I retort.
“Shut up! Love you.”
“Love you.” I squeeze her one last time and close the door to the guest room they’re letting us stay in. It’s perfect for us, too; we have a small, private bathroom and a king-sized bed to share.
I take a quick, super-hot shower to scrub the road grime off and then hit the sack, grateful to be snuggled next to my son in my best friend’s house. I missed being around her so much; it even feels good to be back to the place I grew up, even if my life wasn’t the greatest.