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“Ugh!” she groans, turning quickly back to the cart and takes off. I stifle a laugh. What she clearly perceives as storming off is actually more of a slow waddle from the weight of the twins.
“I’m just messing with you, babe.” I reach in front of her, taking the cart. “Let me push, and you pick out what you want.”
“You don’t want to help pick stuff out?” she asks, looking at me through the side of her eye as she walks next to me.
“I figured I could just let you pick out whatever and let you know if I don’t like it.”
“Fair enough.”
Two cribs and all their fixings, two car seats and stroller combos, two bassinets and highchairs later, I’m loading everything into the back of the truck.
“I can’t believe baby shit is so goddamn expensive,” Pebbles groans. “And I can’t believe you didn’t even let me pay for it!”
“I told you, we’re living in your dad's old house for free. If I can’t buy you guys a house, let me at least buy this.”
Pebbles turns and looks at me in awe. “Thank you, Jamie.”
“They’re my kids too, Red.”
“I know, just thank you.”
“You’re welcome, babe.”
The genuine smile on her face makes up for all the shit that’s been happening lately. The shit with the club that we’re still trying to pin down. The months of not knowing whether my family was even going to be a family. All of the shit we’ve been through is worth it for this moment right now.
23
PEBBLES
Baby Showers
“Sit back and just close your eyes, you two! Quit yapping your gums! You’re supposed to be relaxing!” Maria scolds Winnie and me.
We’re sitting in salon chairs right next to each other as Maria and one of her employees shampoo our hair. Maria called me the other day and said that this was her gift to us both, a morning at her salon and spa. We’ve already gotten our prenatal massages and a quick mani-pedi, the last thing on the list was a fresh shampoo and blow out.
I close my eyes and think about how happy I’ve been the last few weeks. I have Trigger, I have Henry, who has quickly become my best friend in dog form, and I have all of my wonderful friends. Things with the club have been quiet, and I know everyone is waiting on the other shoe to drop. We don’t have any hard proof, but Tiny is determined they are all related.
Trigger told me he wants me and Winnie to stop by the clubhouse on our way home from Maria’s because he has something for her and I’m almost wondering if it has anything to do with Bull.
My friend has confided in me that Bull has been messaging and video chatting with her since he went back overseas after his dad was hurt. She says it's harmless, that nothing will ever come of it due to their situation, but I know better. I know these men. If Bull has anything to say about it, Winnie will be on the back of his bike in no time. After she has the baby that is.
As Maria adds an oil to my hair, giving it a wonderful shine, I roll my eyes with a laugh as I watch Winnie tie yet another of her eclectic scarves around her head.
“What?” she asks with a smile.
“I’m genuinely curious to know how many scarves you have,” Maria says with a grin, drying her hands on a towel.
“You do not actually want to know the answer to that question,” Winnie laughs.
“Thank you so much, Maria.” I wrap my arms around her as best as I can and squeeze her to me, breathing in her all-too-familiar scent that feels like home.
“You are so welcome, babygirl.” Maria turns and gives Winnie a hug as well. “Now we just need these babies to come out!”
“Ugh. You and me both,” Winnie groans, holding on to her lower stomach.
Maria walks us out to the car. I notice her standing on the sidewalk until I turn off Main Street.That’s weird.
It only takes around ten minutes to get from the plaza to the clubhouse. I pull my car into the gate and wave at Levi and Wes, who are sitting at the gate.
