Chapter Thirteen
L exi
The bass from inside the clubhouse vibrates through my bones as Shawn guides me toward the entrance, his hand warm and steady against my lower back. The parking lot is packed.
“You ready for this?” Shawn asks, his breath hot against my ear.
I smooth down the front of my black dress—borrowed from G after Shawn mentioned I needed something “club appropriate” for tonight. The fabric hugs my curves in a way that made Shawn's eyes darken when he saw me in it, but now I'm second-guessing everything. “Do I have a choice?”
His fingers tighten slightly on my hip. “Always, baby. We can turn around right now if you want.”
The thing is, I don't want to turn around. As terrifying as this is, being formally introduced as his old lady; I want it.
Want him—want this life he's offering me on a silver platter.
I blow out a breath and shake out my arms, feeling some of the tension slip away. “I’m ready,” I say, and mean it.
Shawn pushes open the heavy door, and we step into organized chaos. Music pounds through massive speakers, a game is playing on a large screen hung above the biggest sofa I’ve ever seen, and the faint smell of cigarette smoke lingers in the air. There are a few dozen people packed into the common room, some dancing, some gathered around a bar at the back, and others playing pool at the tables in the back.
His hand never leaves my back as he guides me through the crowd. Several people call out to congratulate him as we pass, and I hear the respect in their voices.
“There they are!” G’s familiar voice cuts through the noise, and I spot her making her way through the crowd. She's stunning in a red dress that shows off her petite body, her blonde hair falling in waves past her shoulders. Closing the last few feet, she pulls me into a big hug. “Ready to meet everyone, honey?”
“Uhh... Sure,” I manage, still adjusting to how freely Shawn’s family shows affection.
“Come on.” She links her arm through mine. “The girls are waiting to meet you,” she says, throwing a look over her shoulder at Shawn. “Sorry, handsome, but I’m stealing your woman for a bit.”
His eyes meet mine, checking if I'm okay with this.
I give him a small nod. If I’m going to be a part of his life, that means his family too.
“Be good,” he warns teasingly.
I roll my eyes. I’m not sure what kind of mischief he thinks I’m going to get into here. “And keep her away from Harley's moonshine. That shit's lethal,” he calls over my head to G.
G just laughs as she drags me behind her toward the seating area in the corner. I’m surprised by how much quieter it is back here as we approach the women who are already kicked back with drinks in their hands.
“Ladies,” G announces, “meet our newest sister.”
A swarm of butterflies flutter in my belly. Sisters. The only family I can remember are my grandparents, and like everyone else, I lost them too.
Lifting my hand, I wave nervously at everyone as G starts making introductions.
“This is Oakland,” she points out the adorable blonde with a halo of wild corkscrew curls, “the twins, Sierra and Kierra.” The two women are identical, and I already know I’m going to struggle to keep them straight. “And these gorgeous gals are Harley and former cheer queen Braelynn.”
“Cheer queen?”
Braelynn laughs, her shoulders shrugging. “I was an NFL cheerleader before I had my son.”
My brows go up. “Wow.”
“Okay, come sit by me. We’ve been dying to get you alone,” Oakland cuts in, patting the space next to her on the couch.
I take the spot beside her. “Here, you'll need this,” she adds, handing me a glass of something amber-colored.
I take the glass and sniff it cautiously. “What is it?” The last thing I want to do is get shitfaced and make a complete fool out of myself when I’ve only just met these women.
“Just bourbon,” Oakland assures me with a wink. “The moonshine comes later.”
“Much later,” Kierra adds, settling into the armchair next to me. Her dark eyes study me with interest. “So, how are you handling all of this?” She waves her hand around. “Club life isn't exactly what most women think of when they're dreaming about their fairytale.”
I take a small sip of the bourbon, letting the warmth spread through my belly. “It's... different. But Easy makes it… well easy,” I answer her, proud of myself for remembering to use his roadname.
“They all do, at first,” Sierra says, and several of the women laugh. “Wait until the first time he comes home bleeding and won't tell you why.”
My stomach drops. “Does that happen often?”
“Often enough,” Harley chimes in. I guess as a nurse, she probably sees more than most. “But that's why we have each other. The men handle their business, and we handle ours.”
G squeezes my hand. “What she means is, you're not alone in this. Being an old lady means you're part of the sisterhood.”
“Speaking of sisterhood,” Oakland leans forward, her eyes lit up, “let's talk about that property patch. Has Easy given it to you yet?”
Heat floods my cheeks. “Not yet. We just... I mean, it's only been a week.”
“A few days?” Kierra's eyebrows shoot up. “Should have known he’s just as much of a caveman as the rest of these Neanderthals. Girl, with the way that man is watching you, I would have thought you two have been together longer.”
“It does feel longer,” I admit, taking another sip of bourbon. “It’s crazy, right? How fast all of this is happening?”
“What? No. With these guys,” Harley starts, placing her hand on my knee, “they move fast when they find their woman. It’s a good thing not to have to play games. Ya know?”
I guess she’s right.
“That's how it goes sometimes,” Sierra adds softly. “Sparrow and I, we didn't even like each other at first, and then all of a sudden, it was like we were this united team. When it's right, it's right.”
“And is it?” Kierra asks, cutting right to the chase. “Right?”
I think about Shawn's arms around me, his whispered 'I love you' in the shower, the way he makes me feel safe even when my world feels like it’s spinning out of control.
“Yeah,” I admit, surprising myself with how true it is. “It's right.”
The old ladies exchange knowing looks, and suddenly I feel like I've passed some kind of initiation.
“Well then,” G raises her glass, “welcome to the family, sister.”
As we clink glasses, I catch movement from across the room. Shawn's watching me, a smile playing at his lips as he talks with Knox and Sparrow. Even from here, I can feel the heat in his gaze.
“Oh, honey,” Oakland laughs, following my line of sight. “You've both got it bad.”
Eyes still locked on Shawn, my lips turn up. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to everyone with eyes,” Kierra teases.
As if to prove her point, he excuses himself from his conversation and starts making his way toward us.
My heart does a somersault in my chest.
“Ladies,” he says as he approaches, “mind if I steal my woman for a minute?”
“Depends,” G says, crossing her arms. “What for?”
His eyes never leave mine. “Time to make it official.”
The old ladies’ excited whispers follow us as he takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. As he leads me toward the center of the room, the music fades, and I realize everyone is watching us.
“Shawn?” My voice comes out smaller than I intend.
“Yeah, baby?”
“What are you do—” My breath catches as Sparrow approaches, carrying a leather vest. Shawn takes it from him, and it’s then that I realize how deathly quiet the room has gone.
He turns to face me, and I see ‘Property of Easy’ stitched across the back of the vest. “Turn around, baby,” he says softly.
With tears welling up in my eyes, I do as he asks.
The leather feels cool against my skin as he slides it onto my bare shoulders. His hands linger, smoothing down my arms before turning me back to face him.
“Perfect,” he murmurs, his eyes dark, possessive.
Viper steps forward, his presence commanding everyone’s attention. “Listen up, motherfuckers,” his gravelly voice carries across the room. “Tonight we welcome Easy’s old lady into our family.” He turns to me, his expression serious. “Lexi, wearing that cut means something.”
I swallow hard, very aware of every eye in the room on me. “I know.”
“Then it's official.” Viper raises his beer bottle. “To Easy and his old lady!”
As the room explodes with cheers and whistling, Shawn pulls me against him, his mouth claiming mine in a kiss that leaves no doubt that I belong to him.
When we break apart, the music’s been cranked back up, and the party is in full force.
“Now that's what I call making it official,” G says with a wink, pressing a fresh glass into my hand.
Shawn's arm stays wrapped around my waist as people approach to congratulate us.
I try to remember names—Kidd, the youngest of these men with the eager smile; Trigg, who seems more reserved; Legend who's watching his old lady and son like a hawk.
“How does it feel?” Braelynn asks, adjusting Ryder on her hip.
“Like I finally belong somewhere,” I admit, surprising myself with the honesty.
Shawn's arm tightens around my waist, and I know he heard me. His lips brush against my temple. “You do belong here, baby. With me.”
“Get a room!” someone calls out.
“That sounds like a good idea,” he rumbles against my ear, making heat pool in my belly.
The night goes on in a blur of congratulations.
Around midnight, I find myself lounging on the big couch with the old ladies, and somehow Harley's infamous moonshine has made an appearance.
“Here, take this,” she says, handing me a rocks glass.
I lift it to my nose and take a whiff. “Holy shit.” Whatever's in this is strong.
“You'll get used to it,” Oak giggles as G lifts her glass. “To our new sisters Brae and Lexi.”
We all clink our glasses together, and I toss the liquid back. My eyes go wide as it burns all the way down, settling like fire in my stomach.
“Bottoms up, bitches,” G laughs, taking her own shot with a practiced ease.
“How are you even drinking this?” I ask, my eyes watering.
“Practice,” Sierra says with a wink. “Lots and lots of practice.”
“Ready for another?” Harley asks.
Before I can answer, Shawn appears at my side. “Time to head home, baby,” he says, his hand sliding possessively around my hip.
“Already?” I'm surprised to find I don't want the night to end.
“Got plans for you,” he murmurs against my ear, his voice rough with promise.
Heat floods my cheeks as the other women laugh knowingly.
“Go on,” G waves us away.
After a round of hugs and promises to meet up soon, I head home with my man for a long night of celebrating.