Page 28 of Kiwi

Once we make it back to the clubhouse, the smell of food cooking on the grill and the sound of music assaults us when we step out of the truck. Tai spots us and immediately comes over to help carry the bags inside. When I reach into the bed of the truck for a bag of ice, my arm brushes his, and the connection causes me to shiver. Tai, however, refuses to even look at me. I tamp down my disappointment and try to brush it off as he does not want my dad to notice anything. But an ugly feeling swarming in my gut says he is pulling away again. He also hasn't made good on his promise since our kiss in the bathroom at Leon's. At first, I figured it was him being busy with the opening of Kings Custom, and now I'm not so sure.

"Hey," I murmur. He grunts in return as I walk alongside him into the clubhouse. "Everything, okay?" I ask.

"Fine. Just busy, Piper." Tai sets the bags of groceries down on the counter in the kitchen, then leaves without sparing me another glance, further hurting my feelings. Plastering a fake smile on my face, I turn to Payton and Josie, who are busy preparing the food. "Need any help in here?"

Josie shakes her head. "Nope. We have it covered. Why don't you head out back and enjoy yourself?"

"Yeah, okay. I'm going to set up the pool for the kids. Holler if you need anything."

Before heading outside, I go upstairs to my old room to change. Walking in, I see it is clean, and just as I left it. Knowing I have clothes here, I pull open the top dresser drawer searching for my bathing suit. Striping out of my clothes, I put on a two-piece purple swimsuit then slide on a pair of denim shorts over the bottoms. Next, I tie my hair up into a ponytail and slide on a pair of flip flops I found in the closet. Grabbing the quilt off the bed, I make my way back downstairs and outside where I spot Promise and Luna over by the kid's pool with Sydney, Tequila's niece. "Hi," I sign when I approach them. With Luna being deaf, I made it a point to learn sign language. Even though she sometimes likes to use her voice and can read lips, I still sign when talking to her.

"Hey, Piper," they say in unison, and Sydney waves.

"Piper, these arm floaties you got the kids are too cute," Promise tells me as she puts them on Jaxson.

"I know they don't need them with this pool since it's not deep enough, I just couldn't pass up buying them."

"Aria loves hers," Luna signs, pointing to her daughter, who is already in the water.

"Are you sure you don't mind watching them?" Promise asks.

"Of course not. Besides, I have Sydney to keep me company too." I smile and Sydney nods her head vigorously. "The four of us are going to have a good time, aren't we?" I say, taking Jaxson from Promise as he reaches out for me. I nuzzle my face against his cheek, causing him to squeal. "You two go hang with dad and Uncle Abel." I look at Luna who hands her daughter off to Sydney. "Go catch up with the girls. I promise we'll be fine."

After some extra assurance that I can handle these two munchkins, Luna and Promise take their leave across the yard to where all the men and their women congregate. Bringing my attention back to my brother, I tickle his belly. "Ready to play?"

A few hours later, as the sun begins to set, painting the New Orleans sky in a beautiful shade of orange, I lay on the quilt with Jaxson and Aria sleeping next to me. The two wore themselves out and crashed about thirty minutes ago. And Sydney took off when Josie brought out the ice cream. As I gently stroke Jaxson's hair and watch him sleep, a feeling of being watched washes through me. Looking over my shoulder, my eyes connect with Tai's. I don't know how long we hold each other's gaze, but the moment is soon interrupted by Promise and Luna. "We're going to take them inside and get them settled." They both reach down and carefully pick up the sleeping pair. "Thanks again for watching them," Luna signs.

"Anytime," I tell her.

Standing, I brush a few pieces of grass off my legs and again take a peek to my right to where Tai is. He's talking with Logan and Gabriel, but as if he can feel my eyes on him, he looks my way. This time a pained look crosses his face before he turns back to the guys, says something, then turns and walks away into the clubhouse. My heart sinks a little more with each slap of what feels like rejection. Doing my best to brush it off, I head over to the buffet table where the food is, start fixing myself a plate, and then take it over to the picnic table at the far corner of the yard.

"Mind if we join you?" a soft voice asks, and I look up to find Alba, Bella, Mila, Grace, Emerson and Sofia standing there with their plates.

"Sure, I'd love some company."

The six old ladies of the Montana Chapter take a seat. I recognize each of them from pictures and the guys talking about them, but today is the first time I'm meeting them all in person. "Are you all having a good time?"

"We're having a great time," Grace, who is Jake's woman, says. "I've never taken such a long trip on the bike, but I loved it."

"Me too," Mila adds. "The scenery was beautiful. I can't wait for Reid to show me around New Orleans."

"I think you'll love it. There is so much to do here, and the food alone is worth the long drive."

By the time2:00 am rolls around, the party has died down, and everyone is starting to settle in for the night. I'm in the kitchen helping to put food away and clean when my dad comes in. "Hey, baby girl."

I turn away from the sink. "Hey. You and Promise heading home?"

"Naw, she's upstairs with Jaxson. The three of us are crashing here tonight."

"Oh, well, I let Sam and Sophia take my room, so I'm going to go home."

"You sure? You can bunk with Promise and Jaxson, while I take one of the couches down here."

"Thanks, Dad, but I'd rather go home."

"Alright, Bean. Are you okay to drive? I can have Everest take you home or at least follow you back."

I shake my head. "I'm good."