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“She was grabbing their bags and headed over,” Heather confirmed. “She’ll probably beat us there.”
“Let’s go,” Rumi said, pushing himself up with a groan. “Nova’s on her way as soon as she grabs Myla and Bird.”
Titus was quiet as he strode back toward his car and left. It was as if he was trying his hardest to stay out of Otto’s eyeline.
“I’m gonna grab the bike outta the garage,” Otto told me, tossing his mom her keys. “You ride with Mom, and we’ll follow you guys over.”
“What about the Mustang?” I asked apologetically.
“I’m guessin’ Uncle Will already called a prospect to bring the tow truck over and get it. Don’t worry about it.”
He helped me into the passenger seat, kissed me, and closed the door between us.
“Jesus, you two can’t catch a break, can you?” Heather asked sympathetically as she reversed onto the driveway.
“I’m really tired,” I replied, watching in the side mirror as Otto came out of the garage on his motorcycle.
Heather chuckled. “I bet. I’m tired and I’m not even pregnant. How’s my grandchild doing?”
“Fine, I think,” I murmured as we left the house behind. I reached down and put my hand on my belly. I couldn’t feel the baby moving yet, but nothingfeltwrong. I winced as we drovepast the wrecked Mustang. “It’s probably good I wasn’t wearing a seat belt.”
“Good grief,” Heather snapped, looking at the car. “You weren’t wearing a seat belt when you did that?”
“I was distracted,” I mumbled with a sigh. “I braced both feet on the floorboard and my arms were locked because I was so scared. My belly never even touched the steering wheel.”
“Well, thank God for small mercies,” she replied, reaching out to pat my hand.
The club was a hive of activity when we got there. We had to wait in line at the gate as each car was checked and let through. By the time we pulled up to the clubhouse, there was very little parking and there were people everywhere. Moms were unloading cars and directing kids carrying sleeping bags and backpacks, men were closing the big garage bays and directing traffic, a couple of older ladies were helping where they could, holding babies and ushering little ones through the front door, and behind us more vehicles were finding places to park.
“Before we go in,” Heather said as she put the SUV in park. “A couple of things. One, there are a hell of a lot of people in there and with that comes a lot of squabbles and bullshit. Ignore it. Stay close to us, and you won’t accidentally step in shit. Two, Otto doesn’t have his own room so someone might tell you to find a corner to put your stuff. If they do, tell them to fuck off, that you’re staying in Tommy’s room. Alright? No way is my pregnant daughter-in-law sleeping on the fucking floor.”
“I don’t have any stuff,” I replied quietly. I wasn’t going to tell anyone tofuck off.Ever.
“Honey, didn’t you see them pulling your stuff out of the house? You and Otto have a couple of bags of clothes and who knows what else in the back.” She pointed with her thumb to the back of the SUV. “I can’t guarantee they got what you actually need, because they’re men, but they did grab some clothes.”
“Oh.” I looked back but couldn’t see anything.
“Can’t guarantee they got anything that matches, but you won’t be naked.”
I followed her out of the car and both of us wrinkled our noses when Heather opened the back hatch.
“Don’t worry,” she said, reaching for a duffel bag. “We’ve got a couple of industrial washers and dryers in the back. We’ll get the smoke smell out.”
Otto reached us and grabbed my suitcase and another bag, ushering us toward the building. It was even more chaotic inside. I’d thought that everyone from the club had shown up for our wedding, but there were easily twice as many people there for the lockdown. Otto didn’t even pause to say hello to anyone as he strode toward the back hallway, with Heather and I following behind like a couple of ducklings.
Tommy and Heather’s room was as warm and inviting as the last time I’d been there, and without waiting for an invitation, I dropped onto the edge of the bed.
“You set?” Otto asked, putting his hand on my cheek. “I gotta go check in and see what’s happening.”
“We’re fine,” Heather said from across the room. “Go.”
“I’m good,” I confirmed.
With a kiss, he was gone.
“Oh, and number three,” Heather said dryly, looking at me over her shoulder. “Lockdowns are mind-numbingly boring. That’s probably why everyone starts sniping at each other.”
“This is some bullshit,” Otto’s aunt Rose announced as she came through the door. “I had shit to do today.”
