Page 36 of Texting the Wrong Bikers

“Come meet everybody properly.” His voice lowers slightly. “See for yourself before you decide what kind of people we are.”

I hesitate. Every instinct says no, absolutely not. But another quieter voice keeps remembering the way Kane laughed with Owen, the softness beneath all his rough edges. He’s given me no reason not to trust him. Quite the opposite, in fact. He deserves at least a chance from me, without unfair judgment. Still, I hesitate; it was one thing to hook up with him last night on impulse, but it’s a whole other thing to let him into my life.

Before I can answer, footsteps thunder down the stairs. Owen appears, triumphantly clutching his garbage truck. He freezes. “Clubhouse?”

Kane mutters under his breath, “Ah, shit.”

Owen gasps loudly. “The thunderbike club?”

I close my eyes briefly.

Kane looks deeply amused now despite himself. “Maybe.”

Owen bounces excitedly in place. “With lots of motorcycles?”

“Yes,” Kane says carefully.

“And leather jackets?”

“Yes.”

“And tattoos?”

Kane says solemnly, “So many tattoos.”

Owen looks one second away from ascending directly into heaven. “Mommy, please.”

I stare at my child in confusion. “You don’t even know what a clubhouse is.”

“It’s where thunderbike men live.” Okay, so maybe he does know. God damn it. I’d been hoping to get at least Dani to watch Owen while I went there. I still don’t think it’s a place for kids, but there’s no way he’s going to take no for an answer. I’ll never hear the end of it.

“I don’t know… I don’t think children are allowed…”

One look at Kane’s face tells me that’s not true at all, but he stays silent.

Owen grabs my hand dramatically. “Pleeeeease.”

Kane watches me quietly now. Waiting. He’s not pushing this time; he’s giving me space to decide, which somehow makes it worse.

I look between my wildly excited son, the threatening note still sitting on the counter, and Kane standing in my kitchen looking at us like he’s already halfway responsible for both our lives. This is a terrible idea. Absolutely terrible.

“I’m not promising anything,” I say finally.

Owen cheers instantly.

“But…” I add quickly, pointing at Kane, “We’re just visiting. I’m not agreeing to anything.”

Kane’s mouth curves slowly at one corner. “Sure, sweetheart.” He says it like he already knows I’m going to change my mind.

Chapter 10

Sadie

By the time Kane’s bike pulls into the clubhouse parking lot, I’m already questioning every decision that led me here, including, but not limited to sleeping with a biker after accidentally sexting him for a week, and agreeing to visit a motorcycle clubhouse with my four-year-old.

The gravel crunches under my tires as I pull in behind Kane. I pause for a moment, contemplating turning back around, before killing the engine. Owen practically vibrates with excitement in the backseat. “Mommy,” he whispers loudly, fingers pressed against the window as he stares out. “This is awesome.”

I smile despite myself; his joy is so palpable it’s hard not to. I climb out and walk to the back to let Owen out. He tries to unbuckle his seatbelt, wriggling so much it’s almost impossible.