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Chapter Forty-Six
“Anything I can help with?” I looked up from the carrots I was cutting to see Callie standing in the doorway. The other women looked around.
Callie smiled. “I know the routine.”
“Girls, this is Slider’s sister Callie,” I introduced.
They all welcomed her with warm hugs, introducing themselves. Chelsea handed her a bag of potatoes and a peeler, and she got to work.
“So, Callie…” Rose started casually as she cut up lettuce for salad, “…how did you meet that beautiful specimen of a man you came in with?”
Callie laughed, and Chelsea swatted her friend’s arm. “Rose!”
Rose just rolled her eyes. “Like you weren’t thinking it.”
“No, it’s okay,” Callie offered. “My mom was young and stupid and didn’t like her dad always telling her who she could hang out with, and what kind of guys she could see.”
I listened intently, hoping to get a glimpse into Slider’s life that he never discussed.
“My dad wasn’t a good guy, but she couldn’t see past his charm.” She sighed. “Long story short, my mom died of a drug overdose and Josh, and I got put in foster care.”
“I know the feeling,” Chelsea said, offering an understanding smile.
Callie nodded. “We got split up when I was about twelve. I was quiet and well behaved, but Josh was always in trouble. The other kids would sometimes pick on me, and he’d always come to my rescue, which usually meant throwing a punch.”
My heart warmed as I watch her talk about her brother as though she’d just seen him yesterday, but the reality was, they had been separated for at least fifteen years.
“The family that adopted me, they refused to take him, too,” she said sadly. “And the day I left with them was the last time I saw him.”
I reached out and touched her arm, she looked over at me, forcing a smile.
She inhaled deeply. “So anyway. When I was about twenty-one, I went looking for my mom’s family. Found my granddad at the Royal’s clubhouse and also found Switch.” The sadness inside her was replaced by obvious adoration for her man. “We got married not long after, and have two little ones.”
“Aww,” Chelsea said sniffing and rubbing her growing bump.
Harmony laughed. “Calm down, hormonal.”
Chelsea shot a glare at her. “When you and Kit finally get to this point, you’ll understand!”
Harmony rolled her eyes and turned back to her work. Just as we finished putting together the makings of a feast, the rumble of motorcycles filled the air. We all smiled, washing off our hands and walking out to greet our men.
The yard was bursting at the seams with people. Ham was over at the playground with a handful of children, NERF gun in hand as he chased them around.
“Hadley!” Hearing Op’s voice, I turned. Leo smirked next to him, and Kit just laughed, shaking his head. I frowned, walking toward them. “I’m thinking we should get you up at the shooting range again, but Kit is scared.”
I laughed, sneaking in under Leo’s arm as he raised it for me.
“I don’t want to hurt Rifle’s feelings,” I joked.
Kit laughed. “You see, this is what happens. We give these women a voice and they never shut up.”
A hand came around, smacking Kit upside the head.
Bright Eyes appeared next to him, her stunning green eyes glaring at her son. “You’re not too old for me to tan your hide, boy.”
I put my hand over my mouth to try and hide the laughter. The boys around us didn’t care, though, loudly crowing and slapping him on the back.
“I’d be careful, boy,” Oz said as he walked over with a beer in his hand. “She has some power behind that slap. She’s made my ass red on more than a few occasions.” Oz wiggled his eyebrows as Kit forcibly gagged.
