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I knew she felt it. The signs were all there. But I didn't want her to feel like she had to make the declaration just because I'd said it first. I wanted it to be genuine and offered freely.
We would get there.
I was enjoying each step of the journey.
She'd slowly but surely started to settle in. The clothes that had lived in her suitcase for nearly two months found their way into the dresser drawers and closets. The bathroom sported all sorts of lotions and face serums as well as microfiber rugs in front of the sink and shower. She'd even taken it upon herself to give the downstairs a fresh coat of paint. Well, she'd made all of us do most of the painting, but she'd been right there scolding us if we did it wrong.
And when the baby came? She was the one taking Axton from his exhausted parents, going down into the living room, bopping him when he was fussy, or cuddling him on the couch when he just wanted to be awake.
I'd wake up alone, and would go looking for her, always feeling a gut-punch of rightness when I found her looking down at a baby with a soft, sweet smile.
One day, I reminded myself.
We had to get this race out of the way first.
"It feels a little strange to be back," Sass admitted, looking around at all the unfamiliar faces.
"Good, it's not just me," I said, pressing a hand into the small of her back.
"Hey, I think this is considered fraternizing with the enemy," she said, but she leaned in to my side.
"Hey now," a voice said, coming down the line of cars. "Look at this pretty motherfucker," he added, making recognition hit me all at once.
He looked different.
I guess we all did.
But he'd seemed to lay off the fast food, had taken to the gym.
And somehow had gotten back into the country.
"Eddie," I said, shaking my head as my hand reached out toward him.
"Where have you been, man?" he asked. "Been looking for you for months."
"Shacked up with this one," I admitted, pointing to Sass.
"No shit," he said, nodding. "Guess he was the knight in shining steel after all, huh?" Eddie asked.
"How did you get back?" I asked.
"You didn't hear? I'm legit now, homie," he said, smiling.
"No shit. How?"
"My old boss. Remember that miserable fucker? He ditched the other half that was, apparently, making him such a bastard, then turned around his life, built a new business. Had me working remotely from my hometown. Then, eventually, sponsored me. It's temporary, but I guess I can find me a pretty lady and lock that permanency down too," he said, jerking his chin at Saskia. "Got any friends?" he asked. "I'll treat 'em fancy and shit."
"What?" I asked, smiling. "Ran out of shiny shit to lure them with?" I asked.
"Nah, man, my player days are over. But my baby is real pretty. You want to see?" he asked, already knowing the answer, turning around, and leading us back through the crowd.
"Are you racing?" Sass asked as she inspected his car.
"Me? Nah. Save that shit for the young bloods now. Can't be risking my status," he added. "Just nostalgic to be back. My car isn't even light enough to win a race. My seats are heavy, but they don't make my back hurt," he added, shaking his head at me in a very We're getting old, what can you do? way. "You two are racing?"
"She wants to prove she can beat me," I explained. "She's been a wheelman for the past decade."
"And you've been a car-chopper."
"He's a biker now," Sass supplied.
"No shit? Like a weekend warrior or..."
"Or," I confirmed.
"Good money in that?"
"He had a Huracan when I came back to see him."
"Well, shit."
"If you ever realize straight-and-narrow isn't working out for you," I said, extending the olive branch that Huck had once given me, "we are always looking to scale up our numbers."
"I'll keep that in mind. Oh, shit. It's a fucking reunion tonight," Eddie said, holding a hand up, making Sass and I turn.
"Always wondered about you two," Donovan said, eyeing up me and Saskia.
He looked mostly like I remembered him. Same hair, same body type, still slightly overdressed for the event.
"Are you running this?" I asked.
"Me? Fuck no. My little brother is, though. Convinced the fucker that it is customary to pay me for my reputation in this scene," he added, smirking. "Making passive income just from existing."
"It's like old times right now," Eddie said. "Did you know that pretty boy here became a one-percenter?"
"Heard something about that. Wasn't sure the club was going to make it after that explosion."
"We just moved out of the hot zone a bit," I explained. "I offered this to Eddie already, but if you're ever looking to change careers," I said, realizing I had no idea what Donovan actually did for a living aside from setting up races, "we are always on the lookout for some good new members."
