“God, Willow, what the fuck am I doing?” I whisper to her, readjusting myself in the driver’s seat of my car. It sure is good to be back in my 911. Although, I’m thinking I need to buy a new car. Getting Pax in and out is by far the most annoying-est thing ever. We hit the start of the long private driveway that leads to the clubhouse.

“Everything will be fine. You want to be a surgeon, right? You’ve already done your three years, now you can slide into a post-grad degree or something. Actually, I have no idea what the fuck I’m talking about, but you get what I mean.”

“Yeah, if only it was that simple. I’ve already done the whole undergrad thing, and three years of the four I need of medical school, now I just need three to ten years of residency and fellowship training. Easy as chips!”

“How are chips easy?” Willow asks just as we pull into the parking lot at the front of the clubhouse. There’re bikes lined all to the right. Starting from Beast’s black Harley, and then Frost’s matte black Harley beside him. Usually, Hella’s candy red one would be beside Beast’s, but because he’s serving time, I gather it’s at his and Melissa’s home. I really need to talk with Melissa. I don’t think she’d be handling that very well, although it’s not like we are very close. Actually, I’m not even sure she likes me. Maybe I’ll just leave that to Meadow and Millie.

There’s a whole crowd of brothers at the front, and I’m guessing more inside, as well as probably even more out the back where they usually have the bonfire lit.

“I don’t know.”

I get out of the car and take Pax out of her chair.

“Ah, there she is!” Beast comes toward us, Meadow following closely behind him with Ivy holding her mom’s hand. She’s so tall and looks so much like Meadow.

“Here I am.”

“Not you.” His eyes slanted on me, then he goes back to Pax. “I’m Uncle Beast.” Pax dives into his big arms. “Your cousin can’t wait to meet you.”

“This is Willow!” I gesture to Willow and both Beast and Meadow welcome her. I look to Willow. “I’m probably going to get a huge grilling about leaving, so just ignore anything that is said or that happens.”

“Yeah, you are!” Meadow whacks me. “Seriously, El, that was a dick move. You have so many people who care and love you.”

“I know. I’m sorry. It was my survival instincts kicking in, what with who her dad is and everything.”

Meadow giggles and hooks her arm in with mine, guiding us to the entry of the barn. Ivy grabs onto Beast’s hand and watches Pax in fascination. “Totally get it.” She bends forward to look at Willow. “Thanks for taking care of our girl.”

Willow waves her off. “Oh, it was my pleasure. Truly. Even though she snores.”

I shove her. “Shut it.”

We walk into the barn and sure enough, it’s packed with people. Beast goes directly to the back sliding doors, so we walk outside where a few kids are playing, running around. Beast starts heading straight toward where the logs are lined around a bonfire. I’ve been here enough times to know my way around the place. Beast moves to the side to take a seat, and that’s when all air leaves my body for the hundredth time over the past couple of days. Frost is sitting lazily on one of the logs with Taylor beside him. Well, I’m guessing it’s Taylor. Her dark slacks and clean silk blouse make her stand out from the crowd like a sore thumb. She has dark raven hair that’s pulled up in a sleek ponytail, showcasing her high cheekbones and pouty pink lips. I’m annoyed at how beautiful she is.

“Well this is awkward,” Willow whispers.

“Ah, yeah.” Meadow’s eyes go between Frost and Taylor.

“Err, I’m just going to get a drink.” I gesture over my shoulder. “I’ll leave you guys to it.”

“Wait!” Taylor stands, and I catch the scratch of an accent, but just can’t put my finger on what it is. Great. So she’s exotic too. She puts her hand out, a smile plastered on her face. “I’m Taylor.”

I look down at her hand, and then back to her face. Turning my head slightly over my shoulder, I watch as Raze, Millie, Miles, Amy, and Miles Jr walk in, and then stop.

I need to play nice, I know that, but why the fuck is she here? Unless… understanding sinks in and I let out a breath of air. He chose to keep her. Of course. She has years with Frost on me, what did I expect.

I put my hand in hers and shake. “Nice to meet you.” Searching her eyes, she keeps them on me and I clench my jaw. You will not beat her ass, Ella. Not in front of your child. “Anyway,” I pull back. “I need a—”

“—drink!” Willow says, taking my hand. She snubs Taylor. “I’m Willow. The long-lost sister of Frost.” She tilts her head and drags her eyes up and down. “Not so nice to meet you, though.” I hear Beast chuckle under his breath and Frost whisper, “Jesus fucking Christ,” right before Willow drags me toward the sliding doors and back into the clubhouse. I head straight for the bar and take a seat. Meadow sits on the other side of Willow and then Millie takes a seat beside me on the other side before Amy, Miles’ baby mama, who has absolutely nothing else going on, on the other side of Millie.

“What did I miss?” Melissa asks, sitting on the other side of Meadow.

The old fella looks toward us. “Whiskey?”

I nod. “And keep it coming.”