Jackass leaves while he’s still chuckling at me. No wonder he got hit with Ma’s spatula more than any of us growing up. His mouth never shuts up.
Jane
Shit, that client meeting lasted longer than I intended, but I have a new and regular client which I needed. I’ve got to haul ass and get myself showered, changed, and all the goodies packed up and get out of here. I may never have been to my dad’s clubhouse that I can remember, but I know all his friends were always just dressed casually in jeans, which suits me just fine. I take a quick shower and decide against blow drying my hair. I just apply some mousse and let the long curls flow. I put on my favorite jeans, tank top and flip-flops. I grab my hoodie because it’s a necessity in the PNW-Pacific Northwest. I let Tyger out while I’m packing up all the goodies and the two special boxes, already wanting it to be three boxes. I’m not gonna lie, I’m still scared shitless about this whole thing, but in my gut, I know I would never forgive myself if I didn’t give it a chance. Time to get this show on the road.
Rory
Seeing that we’re only a few minutes away from the clubhouse, I’m equally excited and nervous to see everyone after these last few years. Sure, I’ve seen most of them during visiting days, but that’s nothing like out here in the real world. Ry’s phone makes a noise.
“I’ve got a prospect on lookout. He doesn’t know why but he knew to let me know when Ma and Pa got there. I know the Js are there. Kierstie and Mads showed up with Ma and Pa. I also happen to know that Pa convinced Jane to come today, too.”
I don’t think my head has quite turned that fast in a long time. I look Rory in the eye in the rearview mirror.
“She is?”
With his shit-eating grin on his face, he says, “Yep.”
I’m not sure this day could get better. I see the clubhouse coming into view up ahead. I realize I don’t even recognize some of the bikes and vehicles. I do see Jon’s beautiful blue Harley parked next to what I know must be Juan’s newest addition.
Ry pulls into a parking spot next to some other vehicles, throws the truck into park, and turns toward me.
“Don’t freak, Big R, she ain’t here yet. It’s just the family you know and a couple prospects you haven’t met yet.”
Looking at the ass with a smirk on his face, I say, “You keep callin’ me that and Little R is gonna make a permanent appearance, young one. Now, let’s get me to Ma and Pa.”
Hopping out of the truck, I wait for him and Max to take the lead around the clubhouse to the back area where we always have family days when it’s nice out. Within seconds of my rounding the corner, I hear a shriek.
“What in the gods? Pa! Our boy is home!” In a nanosecond, I’m engulfed in a hug with Ma. It just makes everything right in this world to feel her arms around me, just like when I first came to their home.
“How did you get out early?” she asks through her tears.
“Max and Ry did it. They found some technicalities and I’m out free and clear.”
As soon as Ma lets go, I get a hug from one of the few men I know who is taller than me—Pa, the man who taught me what it means to be a man and stand up for what I believe in. The man who was the first to ever tell me he was proud of me.
“Son, it’s so good to have you home. You know your ma was worried something fierce about you.” He chuckles as that was always his comment when we were growing up and he was worried or scared for us. I hear the door to the clubhouse open.
“Ma, was that you screaming? What in—Ror? What the fuck? You weren’t supposed to be home for another month. So fucking good to see you!” I’m enveloped in a hug by the other person in the family who is taller than me—my brother and president, Jon.
“So glad to be home, brother. You have no idea. I’m so ready to get back to our life. Where’s J?”
“Right behind you, you big lug!” Suddenly I’m engulfed in a bear hug from behind. Juan tugs on my beard like he has since I first started growing it and jokes, “You just couldn’t wait to see my handsome face, could you?”
Rolling my eyes at him, I turn toward him. “Yeah, ya got me. That’s it.”
He gives me a big hug this time and says quietly so no one else can hear, “She ain’t here yet, brother. I just texted her to see where she is. You have about ten minutes till she gets her. Knowin’ you, give everyone here five more minutes of hugs and we’ll get ya in Jon’s office so you can meet her without all the eyes on ya.”
Noddin’ at him, I spend the next couple of minutes being squeezed tightly by both Mads and Kierstie. With tears streaming down her face, Mads looks me in the eye.
“I know why you did what you did that night. I’ll never be able to thank you, but don’t you do something to take yourself away from us for so long again. We need you.”
Hugging her and kissing the top of her head, I say, “I promise to not go away again, sis.”
Feeling a hand on my shoulder, I know it’s Jon.
“Sis, gotta steal him away for a few minutes. Club business.”
Mads lets me go and I turn and follow Jon to his office.
