Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
And here I thought she might’ve been about to actually say she was sorry. She’s lucky the sun is out and Erika’s waiting for me on the balcony with margaritas, courtesy of Colt’s superior drink mixing skills. I’m in an exceptionally good mood or I wouldn’t have picked up the phone in the first place. This was the third time she tried to call me today and I was getting sick of it ringing.
“It’s Friday, it’s nice out and I have Erika over. That should at least make you happy. We can do dinner on Monday. I just need some space to cool down so I don’t say anything I regret.” I think she wants to keep trying, but I say goodbye and hang up. When I come outside, Erika hands me my drink, and the world is already better.
“Don’t be a pushover,” Colt says from the kitchen. He’s leaning against the island. “Every time you let her get her way, she learns that if she just pushes enough, you’re gonna let her stomp all over you. You don’t owe her shit.” He takes a sip from his beer.
Erika wets her lips and looks like she wants to say something, but maybe isn’t sure it’s her place to do so. She takes a sip, then goes for it. “As the one who ended up in the river, I’m on your side. Definitely not acceptable. Your bodyguard’s right.”
It’s weird to talk to people about this. I’m used to dealing with Mom on my own. It’s nice, but it also makes me feel exposed in a way I sort of hate. There’s no pulling the curtain closed again if the vulnerability gets too much. “I know. But she’s my family and we’ve been through a lot together. I owe her enough that I can’t just drop her, you know?”
“Owe her?” Colt snorts. “Taking care of your kid just means being a fucking parent. That’s the bare fucking minimum. Barely worth a participation trophy.”
The doorbell rings, interrupting us. It’s not Priest and Sinner. They know the code and aren’t shy about using it. I go to answer, but Colt puts out an arm to stop me. He checks the doorcam, then waves me over. Chatting together on the other side are Paige and Jess from the club, along with a couple of other women I haven’t met.
“Should I let them in?” Colt questions me with a raised eyebrow.
Struggling to keep a straight face, I ask, “Are they dangerous?”
“Yes, but only because they’ve probably got ideas and will talk your fucking ear off.”
“I’ll take the risk.”
He opens the door. “Ladies.”
Paige points for the others’ benefit. “See? I told you? An actual TV star, and we know her!”
“Um, hi?” I glance over my shoulder. “Sorry Erika, I didn’t know they were coming over. Is it okay?”
She shrugs. “If it’s safe for you, it’s no problem for me.”
“Can we come in? There’s a bunch of stuff downstairs still. We wanted to make sure you were up for visitors before we went too crazy.”
“Sure. Um, what’s going on?” Behind Jess and Paige, another woman and a young girl are holding what looks like a TV table.
The girl, a cute blonde who’s probably in her mid-teens, shifts her grip and winces. “Hi! I’m Anne. You guys are awesome. Really excited to meet you and all, but can we bring this in already?”
The introductions wait as me, Colt, and Erika pitch in to help bring everything up. It turns out that there were more bikers waiting downstairs with the things, and pretty soon there’s a big pile of stuff in my living room, some in boxes, some in bags and even a few plastic laundry bins. It reminds me of when I saw students moving in and out of the dorms at school, and honestly it’s a little overwhelming.
When everything’s inside my apartment, Paige leans back on the kitchen counter and finally takes a breath. “Okay, before you freak out, you don’t have to keep any of this stuff. After we met, Jess and I sort of organized a housewarming drive. It’s nice of the men to bring you a bed and a TV, but I didn’t trust them to think about literally anything else and I hated the idea of you living here like some middle-aged, divorced dad.”
A tall man in a Stetson hat tips the brim towards us. “I’m Tex. If they get to be too much, feel free to kick their asses to the curb.”
Jess laughs. “Shut up. We’re going to be best friends.”
He literally lifts Jess off the floor to give her a borderline indecent kiss before leaving, but nobody seems to mind. “You all good, honey? We’ll pick you up later.”
“Definitely. Thanks.”
“Oh, right. I’m so freaking rude.” Paige points to herself. “You know me and Jess. Anne is basically Jess’s little sister. That’s Willow.” She points to a short woman in a flowy peasant skirt with wavy sun-lightened hair. Willow waves. “And that’s Dakota. She’s the latest addition to our little family here.”