Church last night didn’t give us a whole lot more information. Ben and Tripp let us know that their contacts think that the last name they were looking into was the same last name as the current Sangre Devils president’s mother. He wasn’t raised in the club really. His mom married one of the members when he was a teenager, and he prospected when he was eighteen. He was just a member and hadn’t really shown much leadership till he got in good with a couple of the other younger members. From what Tripp says, it sounds like his mom used to talk about having a long-lost brother somewhere. Ry, Samson, and Mario are going to look into if that’s how they started working with the cult.
After church, I’d planned to go home and have some quality time with my man, but no, that wasn’t fucking to be. I swear you’d think our kids were barely eighteen and just out of the house, but Samson and Saxon are thirty, with Leif just a year and a half behind them. Jeremiah and Kinsley are both around twenty-four or so. Don’t kill me, but I don’t remember exactly how old Jeremiah is. I just know he’s like a year or so older than Kinsley.
Last night, we’d been home all of ten minutes when there was a knock on the door. When I answered it, Leif was standing there. As soon as he walked through the door, I heard a car door close just outside, and I looked to see Kinsley walking up the path.Turns out she needed to talk some things out about a friend who she’s trying to help. Love my girl, but she’s gotta learn to not take on everyone’s problems. Shut it. I only do that with Erik and my kids. Okay, my family too, but not everyone I meet, damn it. Kinsley ended up crashing in her old room, and Leif was in no shape to drive, so he crashed out on the couch. Seems the woman troubles our other boys have been having are now affecting Leif. He spent quite a few hours talking to Erik about it. Seems he’s conflicted, though I think the girl he’s interested in could be really good for him. But it’s a situation where he needs to be sure he’s willing to go there because there are some serious complications involved. Max stopped by for a little bit and added to the conversation with Leif, though his main reason for stopping by was to give Erik the name and contact information for an estate lawyer who can help with the land situation.
Waking up, knowing we don’t have the house to ourselves, I reach over and pull Eric into my arms and kiss his neck. Waking up next to him every morning has given me a peace that I didn’t know I was missing. I sleep better with him next to me. I can tell the moment he wakes up, as he snuggles into me more. “Mmm. Morning.” I kissed his neck a couple of times in response. “Someone woke up happy this morning.” I can’t help the smile that comes across my face as I pull him in as close as he can get in my arms. “It’s always a good morning when I wake up with you in my arms.” Bastard bursts out laughing. “I love you, butthat’s about the cheesiest thing I think I’ve ever heard you say.” I bury my head into his neck again. “Whatever, you love me, and that’s all that fucking matters.” I hear him chuckle again, but it turns into a groan when I rub my morning wood against him. “You’re killing me. You know we’re not alone this morning, but fuck I want you inside of me something fierce.” I love how needy he is some days. His easy submission to me continues to amaze me. Okay, it also turns me on and gets me harder than college-level statistics. “I’d say we could still do it if you'd be quiet, but we both know you’re not good at thatat all.” He huffs in response. “Well, I think that’s really your fault since you know what to do to get that response out of me, and you can’t help but do that. All I know is tonight, when we get home, you better be ready to go because I’m gonna be very needy.” He moves out of my arms and sits up. “Now, I’m going to get the coffee going and start on breakfast. I think Kinsley wanted to make something in our kitchen for family day today, so I’m gonna make sure the kitchen is cleaned up for that.” I watch him grab a shirt to throw on, and he goes into the bathroom. Fuck me. His bratty side even turns me on. I can’t wait for our kids to know, because once they do, if they choose to crash here for the night, you better believe I’m going to be with my man whenever I want, and they may hear things, but damn it, it’s our house, and they’re grown-ass adults. I guess it's time to get up for some coffee. I get up and do my morning routine before heading into the kitchen. For a manwho’s not a morning person, he seems to turn into one whenever our kids or goddaughter spend the night. I walk into the kitchen to find Kinsley at the table with a cup of coffee and a notebook in front of her. “Morning, Dad.” I walk over to the coffee pot and pour a cup, filled to the brim. “Morning, kid.” I know there’s more going on with her than just her friend having issues. I turn around and lean against the counter, taking my first sip of the nectar of the gods. “You know you’re always welcome here, kid, but you have an apartment only ten minutes away. What’s really going on?” She gives a big sigh, making me wonder if she’s been hanging out more with Ry. “I’m just trying to figure out my life outside of school. I love my apartment and roommates, but when I feel like I need to recenter myself, I always end up here. I promise I won’t be here tonight. I just needed to think some things through.” I know she’s not sharing everything, but I always promised myself I wouldn’t demand to know things like my mom did when she was drinking and was horrible to me and Gretta. I realize that’s the most I’m going to get from her. I walk over and give her a side hug and kiss her head like I’ve done a million times before. “Love ya, kid. I’m gonna go hop in the shower. I’ll be out before breakfast is done.”
Erik
I can tell Kinsley is hiding more than even Grant realizes. I know he’s always had blinders on with her. I can only imagine I would, too, if I had a daughter. I keep chopping vegetables for breakfast while I try to figure out the right words to say. Kinsley surprises me by speaking up. “I want to tell Dad everything, but how can I when I don’t understand all of it myself?” These kids think they’re the first ever to have problems and that we just magically knew things? “Honey, he doesn’t expect you to come to him just with good things. You have stuff you’re working through? Something you’re trying to figure out? Well, I know without a doubt that he would love to be an ear for you, and would love to help you in any way he can.” I look over at her, and she seems to be thinking about what I said. Leif appears in the doorway, looking a little worse for wear. “Dad’s a good ear, too, if you ever need it.” I pour him a cup of coffee and hand it over to him as he walks over to the table and sits across from her. I can tell she’s studying him. “He help you figure out your problem? You’ve been moping around for weeks, I swear.” He glares over at her and I zone their bickering out so I can finish getting things prepped so I can make a breakfast hash for us. Potatoes are always a good way to start the day. I know, I know, we’re going to have them for dinner later, but come on, you know they’re a good hangover cure, and I’m pretty damn sure Leif has got a good one going on. Straight whiskey can do that to anyone. Apparently, my boy has caught the feels and takes afterme about overthinking shit. At least he’s old enough and smart enough not to run away when he caught them. Time will only tell if he does decide to act on them.
**********
I love family days now more than ever. Our kids are all grown and having kids of their own. I love the little ones all over the place. We’ve got a whole section of the clubhouse gated off with soft flooring so toddlers can play safely. Bryant and Carter are already walking just fine and are definitely little daredevils. They try to keep up with Daisy, but so far, her little legs can still go faster, although we all know that won’t last much longer.
Gracie is not quite as sure on her feet, but she’s got all the brothers wrapped around her finger. Jane and Kierstie’s youngest are still infants and both Molly and Hunter get passed around all the time. Mikayla seems to be enjoying her first family day and being passed around. She’s got to be one of the cutest babies ever, not that, as her godfather, I’m biased or anything. Jonah gets a little put out when he thinks I’ve had more time with her, but I remind him he may be her grandpa, but I’m her godfatherandgreat-uncle. Two titles means twice the time. Oh, let me live in my delusion, would ya?
I just gave Gracie up to Jonah because he was grumbling about all of us hogging his grandbabies. The man has six grandbabies.He can’t hold them all at once. I get up and go over to the bar to grab myself a beer. Leif’s the only prospect at the moment, so he’s run a bit ragged. I know Micah and Jameson both have people interested in joining, so hopefully, he won’t be alone. Besides, his prospect time is about done.
I take a sip of my beer and walk back to the tables where most of the family is hanging out. Saxon looks in my direction. When the family is all together, that’s rarely a good thing, especially when it’s paired with the shit-eating grin he’s got on his face. He proves me right when he opens his mouth. “Now that your divorce is final, are you going to start dating? Oh, we should put you on some of those dating apps!” Oh good lord. How the hell can I get his attention redirected to someone else? “Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary at all.”
Juan, Ry, Jeremiah, and Samson, all being oblivious to my saying no, hop on this train of thought. Ry, the man who has never known when to be quiet a day in his life, pulls his phone out. “I’m sure we could get you a date for next Friday. What do you say? Let’s do it.” Fuck me.
Juan adds his two cents to the conversation. “Come on, Uncle Erik, you were miserable for so many years with the Celeste-rcist. Time to find someone good for you.”
I hear a loud, deep growl from across the room. A growl I have learned to recognize in the last few months. One that usually means I’m about to be manhandled in the most delicious ofways. I hear a bottle slam against the bar and glance over in that direction. Grant is stomping my way, a man on a mission.My manon a mission.
“He ain’t getting dates with fucking anyone.” He makes it across the room in three, maybe four steps. He grabs my neck and pulls me to him, kissing me. The kiss can only be described as a claiming one, one leaving no question of his intentions. Fuck me, it’s hot. He breaks the kiss and looks at me with an intensity that if we were alone, I’d either be on my knees or bent over in front of him right now. I can’t help the smile that comes over my face.
Grant declares to the room, “He ain’t fucking dating anyone else, ever but me.” I can’t help but lean over and kiss him again. He grabs my hand and holds on. I break the kiss. I think my smile is even bigger when Jonah exclaims, “About fucking time.” Wyatt and Jackson clap with Wyatt adding in, “Finally! I thought we were gonna be in the nursing home before you two finally got your shit together.”
I look over at the faces who matter most. Leif and Jeremiah both have shocked expressions. Saxon and Samson, too, though Kinsley has a grin on her face, making me think she either thought something was going on or even if not, is just happy for us.
Leif surprises me by standing up and walking over to me, giving me a big bear hug. “Dad, as long as you’re happy, that’s all I fucking care about. Your smile just now tells me all I need toknow. I don’t think I ever saw you smile like that with Mom.” I feel a hand on my shoulder. Leif steps back, and Jeremiah gives me a hug. “What he said. Am I surprised? Fuck yes. Do I think you look really happy? Fuck yes, too. That’s what matters most. You deserve to be happy.” I’m not able to form words right now, honestly surprised and touched that both of my boys are so accepting of me and of my being with a man. They both go back to talking to some of the brothers like nothing happened.
I’m enveloped in a hug, and I instantly know it’s Linnea. I can’t help but laugh at her. “You already knew. It’s not like you just found out.” She lets me go and steps back, just far enough to glare at me. “I know that, but I’m still so happy for you. Happy to see you raised those boys right, so they’re fine with it too. Love you, big brother.” I snag her in for another brief hug. “Love ya too, little sister.” She, like me, can only handle emotions in little bits, gets control of herself, and calls out to some of the boys to help her set out food.
I sit down in the chair I’d been sitting in before, and immediately, a hand comes down on my leg. Grant’s sitting in the chair next to me. He leans over and gives me a quick kiss. “I know it’s not how we talked about telling everyone, but fuck if I could let them put you on a dating site.” The possessive streak is strong in him. “Even if they had, I wouldn’t have gone on any dates. You’re more than enough for me.” He squeezes my legagain and leaves his hand there, turning his head back to the group and answers a question Mick just asked him.
Someone sits down next to me. I look over and see it’s Romona. I must give her a questioning look because she gives me a smile. “I’m so happy you two are finally together. I’m happy you’re getting a chance to be happy. Mitch would be, too. Speaking of Mitch, I've been going through more of his stuff…well, because I want Jason to be at home, and I don’t…” I put my hand on her arm to stop her rambling. “Mitch has been gone a long time, darlin’. You are entitled to find some happiness and love. He wouldn’t want you to be lonely the rest of your life.” She gives me a look. “Okay, he wouldn’t be okay with it if he were here, but he’s not. It’s okay to miss him and also find happiness with someone new. Our hearts can always expand for love. Even for a cop.” She moves her hand and smacks my arm at my last comment. “Back to the point, mister. I have some things of his I found that I would like you to have, or at least come check them out and see if you want them.” I can’t imagine what she might have found since we went through so much of his stuff right after he died. “I’m off on Monday, so I’ll come over then.” We both get distracted when Linnea calls out that food is ready. Those potatoes are calling my name. That and the layered salad I happen to know Kierstie made. Mamma used to make that, and it always brings back memories of her.
Grant
It’s been a couple of hours since I outed our relationship, and I’m glad to see his boys are handling it well, especially since I don’t think they had any inkling that he was into men. I knew my kids wouldn’t have a problem as they all love Erik.
Stuffed with good food, I head out to the bonfire that I can see is being started. When I walked out of the clubhouse, I heard Ry and Asher trying to convince Erik he needed a night of drinking to celebrate his coming out. I have a feeling we might be crashing here tonight since we both rode our bikes here earlier.
I grab a seat and see that quite a bit of the family has come out as well. We have to take advantage of nicer nights like this when we can. Jonah is in his usual chair next to me. Before I can say anything, a beer is dangled in front of me. Looking up, I see it’s Leif handing it to me. I take it and nod at him in thanks as he grabs a seat across the fire next to Micah and Jameson. Jonah speaks up just so I can hear him. “That boy is percolating something. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got some words for you about being with his dad. Not thinkin’ he’s mad about it, but he’s seen more than anyone else, just how bad shit with Celeste got. He’s a quiet one, and they seem to notice a lot more shit than people realize.” He’s not wrong. Out of all of mine and Erik’s kids, Leif’s always been the quietest and last to speak. Course,it’s probably easy to be that way when he’s surrounded by loud, animated people.
We’ve been out here for a good hour or so, and conversation has been flowing. All our newest additions have all slowly left for the evening, along with the littlest ones in our family. Linnea just went inside with Millie to make coffee for everyone.
Jeremiah just put another log on the fire. Over the fire, he looks over at me and looks like he’s gonna say something when Leif surprises me by speaking up from across the fire. “I know I’m supposed to respect my elders, and I do, but I just need to say this. You seem to make my dad happy. That’s what matters most to me. However, growing up I’ve seen you date and discard quite a few women and men. You hurt my dad, and we’re gonna have a problem. Got me?” Jeremiah nods in agreement. Time to lay it on the line for them. “I got you. I love your dad more than you know and would never want to hurt him. If I have any say in it, we’ll be together for the rest of our lives. He’s it for me.” I must say what both of them want to hear because they both nod and let the subject go. Linnea and Millie bring out coffee and start passing it around.
Jonah leans over toward me. “Brother, I think you just got a threat from someone whose diapers you used to change.” I can’t help but glare at him, knowing the fucker is enjoying this moment all too much. “I would’ve been more disappointed if they hadn’t said anything. I know how close they are to Erik,and if I somehow lose my shit and ever hurt him, I would expect nothing less. Seeing how that ain’t gonna happen, I’m not too worried about it coming to fruition.”
Wyatt from my other side speaks up. “Using that word-of-the-day toilet paper again, are ya?” Fucker has jokes. Time to go see just how drunk they’ve gotten Erik and if I need to pour him into my bed here.
I get up and walk over to the clubhouse, and as soon as I open the door, I can tell that there’s been some serious drinking going on. Erik, Ry, and Asher are sitting at a table with a couple of half-full bottles of whiskey in front of them, each with a half-empty glass in front of them. Ry is in the middle of a story about who knows what. I see Logan and Nicky sitting at the bar, both looking sober and shaking their heads at the drunkies. I walk over to them. “So, just how drunk are they?” Logan looks over and raises his chin in greeting. “There used to be three bottles on the table, if that tells you anything.” My face must show my surprise because Nicky chuckles at me. “Apparently, Ry and Asher saw this as a night to welcome Erik to the club and also celebrate his finally being free from his ex-wife.” As I go to grab a stool to sit next to them, I hear Asher speak up very loudly, “Yeah, and he told me there are two hundred and six bones in his body, and he wanted two hundred and seven!” All three of them crack up and I can see Logan put his head in his hands. “Apparently, they’ve felt the need to teach Erik a bunch of pickuplines to use on you, I’m guessing. I haven’t seen Asher this drunk in a long time. Hell, he might not have been this far gone before.” Nicky nods. “Yeah, I’m not sure why they decided they needed to do this, but Ry’s gonna be feeling this shit in the morning.” I think I need to go see if my man needs rescuing because he’s gonna be hurting tomorrow, especially as he almost never drinks hard liquor. I walk over to the drunk party, and Ry is the first to notice my presence. “Hey, if it ain’t Delilah’s paternal unit. We were just sharing with Uncle Erik all the awesomeness that is being with a man.” He wiggles his eyebrows and takes another drink. I look down at my man, and he’s got a huge grin on his face. I can tell he’s beyond feeling no pain. “How are you holding up drinking with these two young'uns?” Something passes between the three of them and he looks up at me and grabs my shirt, pulling me down so we’re face-to-face. He attempts to whisper, but volume control seems to be out of his control. “My vibrator is out of batteries. Can I borrow you instead?” Yep, time to get him into my room. I grab his hand and pull him up. As soon as he’s standing, he leans toward me and again tries to whisper but fails. “They’ve been giving me lines to use on you when I want sex. I think that one is the best one, don’t you?” Looking into his eyes, I see a peace I don’t know if I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I realized just how much he’s had to not be himself in life, and that stops now. If I do anything else for the rest of my life, it’s going to be giving him a home and life where he can feelfree enough to express himself-whatever that looks like. “Babe, any line you use on me is gonna be my favorite line because it comes from you.” I lean in toactuallywhisper to him. “How about we go to my room, and I'll show you how much I like that lineandhow much I love you?” I must say the right thing because he grabs my other hand and pulls me to the hallway leading to the rooms. I hear hooting and hollering coming from the table, with Asher being the loudest “Go get you some!” I don’t bother looking back because what I want is right in front of me. Erik stops right in front of my door. I grab my key out, and as soon as I unlock and open the door, he rushes inside, pulling me with him. He pushes me up against the door, and his lips crash against mine. He’s the most forceful he’s ever been, demanding entrance with his tongue. I want to see what he does next, so I let him keep this control he seems to be trying to demand at this moment. He breaks the kiss and looks at me with a grin. “I wanna suck you and then climb on top and ride you. We haven’t done that before.” Fuck me, that sounds hot. “Well, I’m not gonna stop you, babe. Take what you want tonight.” He pulls me toward the bed and tries to undo my jeans, but in his state, he can’t get the button undone. I reach down and do it along with my zipper. He pushes down my pants and boxers and falls to his knees. I know that’s gonna make him sore tomorrow, but any thoughts about that fly out of my mind when Erik takes me into his mouth and starts a fast rhythm. Shit, just seeing himon his knees in front of me, knowing he’s all mine and that our worldknowsit, has me close to coming already. “Fuck! You do that so fucking well, babe.” He moans and that just adds a vibration to his sucking, and my knees almost buckle at the sensation. I can’t last much longer. “I’m about to come. If you want me inside you…you gotta stop.” He doesn’t stop, but I swear, he doubles down and moans even deeper. I feel myself coming, and I manage to get out one more warning to him. “I’m coming!” I watch through the haze of my orgasm as Erik takes it all and doesn’t stop till I pull back from him. He looks up at me and wipes his mouth, a grin on his face. “I changed my mind. Those moans you were making were too hot to stop.” I look down and realize in the middle of sucking me off, he managed to free himself and looks like he came when I did. He looks down and back up at me and shrugs his shoulders. “It was really fucking hot hearing you.” Gods, this man.
