“Positive, bella. I’ve rested all morning, and now I’m restless. Which is perfect because we’re going out to celebrate your birthday.”
She says it so fast it takes me a moment to realize what she’s said. “Wait, what?”
Isabella chuckles. “You didn’t think I was going to let you get through your birthday without a celebration, did you?”
Only Isabella knows without asking that my parents forgot my birthday. It was the same every year when we were away at private school. Her father came to visit her every year on her birthday to take her out. Mine never even called. Isabella took it on herself every year to make sure we celebrated. The tradition stuck.
“You don’t have to do this. You’ve got your own family to think of now. And I’m fine staying in and reading, honest.”
Isabella continues as if I’ve said nothing. “Get yourself dressed in something nice. I hope you don’t mind that I’m not up for going anywhere far, so we’re having something at the clubhouse.”
The clubhouse is the Wild Riders MC headquarters. Isabella spends half her life there, and I’ve gotten to know some of the other bikers and their wives over the three years since she married Raiden.
They’re not as intimidating as they first seem. All the bikers are veterans, and they’re a legit club. They own a brewery behind the headquarters with award-winning beer, and they run a restaurant with amazing views over the valley. They’re a nice bunch of people.
Still, I’m comfy in my PJs with a hot chocolate and my book.
“I’m okay, really. I don’t want to intrude on the club. I’m okay here.”
“Oh no you don’t,” Isabella says sternly. “Get out of your pajamas and put on something nice. We’re celebrating your birthday.”
I don’t remember telling Isabella I was in my pajamas, which goes to show how well she knows me.
She was always like this, cajoling me into going out when all I wanted to do was stay in and read. Trouble is that half the time she’s right. If it wasn’t for Isabella, I would never leave the house.
“But…” I glance at ACurvy Nanny for the Alien Overlord.I really would like to know what happens when he gets all three of his tentacles in action and whether he’ll give up his kingdom for a quiet life on earth with the earthling he loves.
“I think I’m going to sit this one out.”
“Not an option,” Isabella says. “Maggie’s made a birthday cake.”
Maggie’s the pastry chef at the club restaurant, and her baked goods are to die for. “What flavor?” I ask, despite myself.
“Double chocolate.”
It’s my favorite. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad going out, and yet my book and hot chocolate in my favorite armchair also sounds good.
“Get yourself ready. One of the guys is coming to pick you up.”
By one of the guys, she means one of the Wild Riders MC. “On a motorbike?”
“Of course.”
“But…” I pull the blanket around me, trying to hunker down in my cocoon. “Don’t send anyone. I’m not sure I want to come out.”
“Too late. Specs already left.”
My mouth goes dry at the mention of Specs. He’s the club’s accountant with a wayward beard and sparkling eyes behindhis glasses, which got him the road name Specs, and he always carries an e-reader tucked into his jacket pocket.
“You sent Specs?”
“He volunteered.”
Panic floods me. I’m not ready to see the hairy biker with the kind eyes. “Tell him not to come. I’ll get a car.”
There isn’t a ride share company this far up the mountain, but my parents have people who work for them that I can call. I’d rather have a driver come and get me than ride on the back of a motorbike with Specs.
“Too late. He already left, remember?” Isabella sounds pleased with herself, and I wonder if she’s noticed how nervous I get whenever Specs is around.
