11
11
Sadie
It’d been several hours since Bryce left for work, and the girls and I were on our morning walk. My mind had been racing with a million thoughts at the house. I couldn’t get him out of my head, especially with his essence everywhere in his home, from the living room to the kitchen… and to his daughters. Their facial expressions were like his. And it seemed like his cologne was stuck in my nose. I’d needed to get out and get fresh air… and maybe never return to his cute little cottage.
So, I’d shot him a quick text to get his permission to take the girls into town. The main road was about two miles from his place. I was confident I could handle the distance. And if not, I would ask one of my uncles to drive us back. Bryce had replied with…
Bryce: Sure. Trying to blow off steam? Lol
The stinker had known he left me hot and bothered. When I’d walked him out to his truck, he’d whispered, “Stay with me tonight.” His words mixed with his hot breath had made me clench and gush. Of course, I had hidden my reaction as best I could, pretending to be unaffected. Whether he had noticed, I may never know.
At first, I nodded my response. I had craved to be under him more than anything. Wanted him inside me and his mouth on my bare skin more than my next breath.
But now, I had second thoughts.
Staying the night would complicate things and confuse the twins if they caught me there when I should be at home. In only one day, we were meshing beautifully, and I had to admit it scared me a little. If Bryce and I didn’t work out, their little hearts would be broken. Mine might be too. I couldn’t do that to any of us.
And what about my ballet career?
Returning to Manhattan was up in the air, while my dad was dealing with the blackmailer, who he said he knew the identity of. I, as usual, knew nothing. My dad wouldn’t talk about it with me, because it was “club business.”
Naturally, I was frustrated, considering my life and future were on the line. But I’d grown up being in the dark with anything connected to the Knight’s Legion MC. I just had to suck it up and be patient, although I may never know what the club had done about the blackmailer.
I sighed, then noticed a hint of Bryce was still on my tongue and my jaw ached from being stretched. Both were a torturous reminder of our morning activities. I’d never blown a man as I had him, almost swallowing his cock. It had been a thrilling and terrifying experience.
But to watch how his face had contorted, as if he would detonate, had made it all worth it. Plus, his buttery cum hadn’t been off-putting like it had been with other guys.
Lord, help me. I couldn’t wait to get on my knees and taste him again.
Enough, Sadie! You’re like an emotional ping-pong, going back and forth, back and forth. It’s wrong to get involved with a single dad if you don’t plan to stick around.
I’d had every intention of leaving Minnesota. A hookup with a stranger was one thing. Dating a man with two daughters put too many hearts on the line. Bryce and I needed to talk and put a stop to anything more than being friends.
“Where are we going?” Cat’s question snapped me back to the present.
“Oh. Um. To town. I thought you both might be bored with the same old routine.”
“Nana Bea never takes us there. It’s too far.”
“Well, I think I can handle it. We’ll stop and see some of my uncles and aunts. It will be fun.”
“Okay!” Cat squealed.
Tori nodded with a smile. She didn’t talk much, but I was sure it was because Cat talked enough for the two of them. They reminded me of Maddox and Markey, who looked similar, but their personalities were totally different. Maddox was the strong, silent type. Markey was charismatic and talkative. But they each had found their unique calling.
Maddox was the president of Knight’s Legion MC and single. Well, as single as a man could be when he was in love with someone he wasn’t with. That someone was Valerie Montez. I knew Maddox loved her, just as my entire MC family knew it.
But sometimes life got in the way of love and the right time to connect never presented itself. Maddox’s grumpy attitude probably had everything to do with Valerie being gone. She was a bestselling romance author. When she wasn’t on a world book tour, she was living her best life in Montana with her folks: Raul and Tina. She’d moved with her family years ago, after Raul had retired and her older brother, Raymond, had filled his dad’s place as vice president. Valerie had chosen to be her younger siblings—Izan and Sophia—who were fraternal twins.
The Montez family had been through a lot back when I was a young child and they weren’t traditional in society’s eyes. Valerie’s older half-brother and half-sister were married and had a couple of kids the ages of Izan and Sophia. But strange things happened in MCs all the time, so I never thought much about Track and Brynne being married. They had different parents and weren’t blood related.
In any case, I’d always felt something else had made Valerie leave Minnesota… or more like, someone had made her leave. And all fingers had pointed to Maddox.
Twenty minutes later, I removed my wool coat and placed it between Cat and Tori. “I’m roasting,” I told the girls as I tugged on my collar to cool me off. Even though it was a brisk forty-one degrees, I was overheating from pulling the wagon.
“Not me,” Tori said. Her little nose was red, her eyes glossy. We’d been out for about forty-five minutes. I hadn’t considered how they were doing, sitting in the wagon. Bad Sadie!
“Let’s get you inside to warm up.” I made my way toward Sister Chic Boutique. Aunt Snow and Birdie would be there. It would be nice to catch up with them. Since I returned, I had been avoiding my family, too embarrassed about my predicament. Plus, I had a feeling people knew about my hookup with Bryce. But I couldn’t hide anymore from those I loved.
Chase’s red Harley was parked in front of the shop. Before I got to the door, it swung open, and the bell jingled.
“Welcome to Sister Chic,” Chase said in a formal tone. “Ladies.” He winked at the girls.
“You’re such a charmer,” I replied.
“It’s my best quality. Just ask Sammy.” He waggled his brows. Sammy was his girlfriend.
“I would, but she hasn’t been around. I hope I see her before…” I snapped my mouth shut before I said before I leave.
“She’s been sick all week with the flu. I haven’t even seen her.” He pinched his face tightly and his jaw twitched.
“Her parents still don’t like you?”
“Nope. We’ve been together for three years and they still haven’t accepted us. It’s stupid. I’m not a bad guy, but they think all bikers are despicable.”
“Well, once she turns eighteen, that should make things easier.”
“Doubt it. I need some fresh air.” He left the shop in a huff.
I peered out the front window and watched him straddle his hog. Chase really was a good guy. Uncle Storm and Aunt Maddy had raised their boys to respect women and be ruthless protectors. Frankie was a few years younger than Chase, but just as strong as his older brother.
The scent of apple pie wafted in the air. I inhaled the deliciousness into my lungs. The shop was decorated from floor to ceiling for the autumn season, which complemented the clothing hanging on the walls and racks.
“Hey, Sadie!” Birdie’s face brightened as she came out of the back. “Are these his twins?”
“Um… What?” I knew it! Word was spreading like wildfire about Bryce and his girls.
“I overheard your mom talking to my mom about the man you got dirty with in his truck and how he has twin daughters.” She waved to them. “Hi, I’m Birdie. Would you like a cup of apple cider and a cookie?”
I blinked, utterly dumbfounded. “They can have the cider, but no cookies. Tori has a gluten allergy.”
“Okay, follow me. Snow is in the back unpacking some new shipment.” Birdie gestured to follow her.
Silly me for thinking my private business would be kept private. Such was the life in an MC. The old ladies told each other everything. But they also kept each other’s secrets. They just didn’t have eyes in the back of their head to see Birdie eavesdropping.
“What else do you know?” I asked, because there had to be more.
“Babe, you know if it involves a man, all the old ladies know every little thing about him.”
“Jeez. I guess I thought my mom would’ve been a bit more close-lipped.” Honestly, her loyalty should have been to me before her friends. I was her daughter, her flesh and blood. But I knew she was probably hopeful I’d fall in love with Bryce and put roots down in Bastion. I couldn’t fault her for wanting her child close by, and I had missed my family during the holidays…
“Jaynee? Girl, you’ve been away too long. Have you forgotten how loud your mom can be?” She tossed her head back, laughing. “Right, Snow?”
“What are we talking about?” Snow turned around and her face lit up when she saw me. “Sadie! I am so happy to see you, finally.” She she rushed toward me and wrapped me in her embrace.
“I know. Sorry, I haven’t come by to see you. It’s been an interesting visit so far.”
“I heard.” Snow released me, then noticed the girls. “Oh! These must be his twins.”
“Yup.” I sat on the first chair I saw, suddenly exhausted. “Catherine and Victoria, but they go by Cat and Tori.”
“They are precious.” She gazed at them. “Are you girls having fun with Sadie? Isn’t she the best?”
My heart swelled. Sometimes I forget how much my MC family loved me. It was easy to get consumed with dancing and shows. My days would blur together, and months would pass before I stopped to catch my breath. That would be when the loneliness kicked in and I thought about what I might be missing back home.
“Mhm, we like Sadie. She dances with us and makes Daddy laugh,” Cat replied, while Tori nodded in agreement.
“Aww, that’s wonderful.” Snow peered over her shoulder at me. “And does Daddy make you just as happy?”
“I’m just his babysitter.”
“That’s not what Uncle Lynx told my dad,” Birdie said as she handed the girls their cider. “Here’s a cup for you, Cat, and one for Tori.”
“Thank you,” they said in unison.
“Careful girls. It’s hot,” I told them.
“I added some cold water to cool it down.” Birdie came over to where I was sitting.
“What did my dad tell your dad?”
“It was Max who was watching after you.” Snow stared at me knowingly. Max was her son. “When he reported back to Maddox and your dad, several members had been present.”
“Listen, Sadie. We’re all excited you found someone. I would love it if you stuck around. Maybe moved back home. We need you. I need you to help with…” Birdie then whispered in my ear, “Dante and you know who.”
Snow snickered. “I’ll leave so you girls can have some privacy.”
“You know everybody knows about you, Dante, and Ray.” I took Birdie’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Just like the club already knows about Bryce.”
“There isn’t a me and Dante.” She sighed and wilted beside me. “Or a me and Raymond. Maybe I need to leave Minnesota and start fresh somewhere else.”
“Your parents would be devastated.”
“Yes, but I don’t know what to do. Dante is my best guy friend. Always has been, and Ember is crazy about him. Which is great.”
“Have you set Dante straight?”
“I’ve tried. I don’t want to hurt him, so I’ve sort of avoided the topic.” She winced and covered her face with her hands.
“Gurrl, that’s not good.”
“I know,” she cried.
“And what’s going on with Ray?”
“Absolutely nothing. If we’re not singing together and practicing with the band, he avoids me. My life is so messed up.”
“Sadie,” Tori called. “I need to potty.”
“It will all workout, babe,” I told Birdie, then hopped to my feet and scooped Tori out of the wagon. “Come on Cat. You should go potty too.”
“It’s fine.” Birdie shrugged. “If you stick around permanently, everything will be better.”
I forced a smile and went to the bathroom. If I stuck around? I didn’t even know what that would look like. Sure, I could start a dance school like my dad had suggested. And… Maybe things would work out with Bryce and me.
I pressed my lips to Tori’s head and smiled down at Cat. It was strange, but I felt content with them… and with their dad.
Stop it, Sadie. You’re getting ahead of yourself. Slow down!
Right. I’d let nature take its course. Either Bryce and I would fizzle out and my dad fixed my blackmailing issue for me to return to Manhattan, or I’d fall madly in love with Bryce and marry him.
I shook the thoughts out of my head and set Tori on her feet to help her. As usual, I was overthinking the situation and needed to stop.
“How does chicken sound for dinner?” I asked the girls.
“Chicken is my favorite!” Cat exclaimed.
“Mine too!” Tori replied as she tugged her pants down.
“Perfect. I’ll make mashed potatoes and roasted carrots to go with it.” I hoisted Tori onto the toilet seat. “Does your daddy like chicken too?”
“Daddy likes everything,” Cat said. “Will you eat with us again?”
I chewed on my bottom lip. “Maybe.” If Bryce invited me to join them, I would.