When I came downstairs, I was surprised to see Magic wasn’t waiting. Voices drifted outside, and I walked toward them, frowning when a bike revved. Confused, I headed for the side door, and my heart skipped a beat. It was a scene directly out of a biker’s domestic heaven. A man showing two boys how to maintain their bikes.
Oskar with Magic, both their heads bent over Oskar’s Harley. Lars sat and throttled it as Magic showed Oskar something. He was explaining patiently, and Lars leaned over to watch, too. I couldn’t help the pain that rushed through me. Vulcan and Kanon should be doing that. I swallowed the grief and watched.A bond was forming between the three of them; it was plain to see, and I was glad Magic was experiencing that. He deserved it, too.
???
“I told Magic,” Laila announced, sitting down.
“What, honey?” Laila couldn’t have been more random if she’d tried.
“That I like girls.”
Well, I guessed Magic’s reaction to that. “And?”
“He wasn’t bothered.”
Bingo!
“Magic stated if I was happy, who cared. And he was grateful he didn’t have to scare away boyfriends. But Magic was unsure about girlfriends.”
“No doubt Magic will look up if it’s acceptable to chase off potential girlfriends. Although that doesn’t quite have the same ring.”
“Lars also told me what Magic suggested.” Laila chewed her lip.
“What was that?”
“That Vulcan was our dad, but Magic could be our Pops.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“Better.Mor,I like Magic, and if he’s Pops, then we aren’t betrayingFar,” Laila replied.
“That’s your choice, baby. I’ll support you no matter what.”
“Thanks,Mor.” Laila leaned over and kissed my cheek.
“Anytime, kiddo,” I murmured as she got up and headed inside. I sat outside for a few moments to gather my thoughts and followed Laila. Dinner needed organising.
Magic
“Did you know you can’t use a shotgun to scare off your daughter’s girlfriend? It’s not acceptable. What a load of bullshit.”
Alice gaped in horror. “What the hell are you looking at?” She tried to grab my cell, but I moved away.
“If it’s a boy, I can chase them off with a rifle, but the interweb says that’s not reasonable to do to girls.” I frowned. “How about a handgun? They’re not as threatening but still frightening, right?”
“Magic!” Alice nearly shrieked. “What is wrong with you?”
“What?” I demanded. “I’ve gotta protect my baby, and girlfriends can be bitches.”
Alice was shaking her head in despair as chuckles rang out around the bar.
“Knew Magic would go loco when he discovered he had a girl,” Inglorious stated.
Onyx leaned over and tapped Storm on the shoulder. “Pay up.”
Storm glared at me. “Asshole.”
“You bet on me? Motherfuckers!”
