Chapter 16 #2
“You get everything sorted with baby mama?” Cyrus asks as I walk into the clubhouse.
“It’s handled.” I walk around the bar to grab a beer and pop it open.
“Good, good.” Cyrus nods his head before smirking. “That dude she was with tried so hard to look tough with you. We were all taking bets on when he would piss himself. I’m a little bummed it didn’t happen.”
“He was a fucking tool,” I mutter before taking a swig.
“We all thought you were going to knock his ass out right at the table,” Scotch says as he takes a seat at the rail.
“He was one smart-ass comment away from me dragging his ass out of there by his gelled hair. How’d the rest of the meeting go? Sorry I didn’t come back.”
“I don’t think any of us expected you to come back, brother.” Scotch smirks. “At least not with that sweet piece.”
“She’s something,” I mutter, taking another swig.
“As far as the meeting goes, there wasn’t much more to it. Adduci said he’s going to do some digging to see where Rail is doing business around the city. Either someone is crossing him, or Rail is just a fucking idiot and is thinking he can get away with doing it behind everyone’s back.”
“Which is very fucking possible.” I haven’t spent a lot of time with Rail, but I’ve met the dude enough times to gather that there isn’t a whole lot going on upstairs.
Scotch and Cyrus nod their heads in agreement.
“So basically, we’re waiting on what Adduci finds, and we’ll go from there. But I’d say whatever the outcome is, Cyrus is going to get his licks in.”
Cyrus does a little skip around the bar as he claps his hands. “I can’t fucking wait. It’s only right for Levi to learn from the best.”
I roll my eyes. “Or you’re going to fuck him up for the rest of his life. Maybe save some tricks for later.”
“She still coming tomorrow?” Cyrus asks, ignoring me and changing the subject.
“Yeah.”
“I can’t wait.” A slow smile spreads across Cyrus’ face.
“I swear to God if you do any weird or creepy shit I’m knocking your ass out,” I tell him, giving him a deadpan expression.
“Yo!” Ink yells as he saunters into the room looking right at me with a blushing Sutton following close behind.
“The next time you feel like pullin’ off to bang a bitch in my alley, make sure to cover your fuckin’ ass.
I almost threw the fuck up when I got an alert that someone was by the back door and I opened the camera to see your white fuckin’ ass.
Sutton had to see that shit too, man. Probably won’t be able to sleep tonight because she won’t be able to get that hairy thing out of her head. ”
Sutton’s cheeks grow redder and redder with every word Ink says. I don’t think she’ll ever lose that innocent air about her, but it’s her.
Cyrus’s loud laugh booms over the music playing. “Your ass is hairy as fuck. Wax that shit.”
“I’m sure you’ll fuck it out of her head,” I tell Ink before turning to Cyrus. “And I’m not waxing my fucking ass.”
As long as Ink didn’t see Aisling’s ass, I don’t give a fuck about mine.
“Breakin’ in the stang?” Cyrus asks me in a singsong voice.
I down the rest of my beer before tossing the bottle into the bin. “I’m going to bed.”
I have too much riding on tomorrow to let them fuck with my head.
I wake up at the ass crack of dawn, nervous as fuck.
I didn’t crash until about 3:00 a.m. this morning, but I feel wired as fuck. I’ve never been so nervous in my goddamn life, but when it comes to Aisling, I have too much on the line to fuck up.
Looking around my room, I shake my head at how I know Aisling is going to take one look in here and turn around and walk out. I’ve lived here since I patched in over a decade ago, and it looks like a fucking teenager just moved in from leaving their parents’ house.
My room is bare as fuck. A king-sized bed is shoved up against the wall, with one nightstand and one dresser. Maybe that’s why I started spending the night at Aisling’s house back then. It just felt like home.
I spent the rest of the morning picking up the mountain of dirty clothes I had scattered across the floor and folding the giant pile of clean ones I kept setting on top of my dresser each time I did laundry.
There’s a million things I’d rather do with my life than fold fucking clothes, but for her I will.
I’ve been in Aisling’s house enough to know she likes her shit clean and organized. Hell, even Cormac’s toys in the living room had their own designated spot. She has the mom thing locked down. Never thought I would be into that before, but she makes it look sexy as fuck.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I shoot Aisling a text letting her know that I’m heading her way soon. I’m bringing the Mustang since my bike isn’t exactly kid-friendly.
Which reminds me, I need to upgrade Aisling’s. She’s been driving that piece of shit Pontiac G6 long before I even met her. My kid needs to ride in a car that isn’t a living death trap.
“Is it time?” Evan asks as she tries to hide her excitement. Her bouncing on the balls of her feet gives it away.
“I can’t wait to meet her.” Sutton smiles as she stirs something on the stove.
Sutton, I fully believe that from, but Evan… I know she wants to meet her and will eventually bring her into the fold, but she’s also nosy as fuck. Any bitch who watches reality TV the way she does lives for drama or gossip they can get their hands on.
“Yup,” I respond, nabbing a cracker off the tray that’s being made on the island. Evan swats my hand away, making the cracker fall to the floor and crack. “Hey, what the fuck?”
“Those are for the guests!” Evan exclaims. “You’re as bad as Cain.”
“The only guest that’s coming is Aisling,” I say, giving her a ‘you need to chill the fuck out’ look. I wouldn’t dare say that to her, though. She would have me by the balls with Prez right behind her.
“And the baby.” Evan raises and squeezes her shoulders up toward her face as she squeals.
I look to Sutton for some guidance because never in my fucking life have I heard that woman squeal. Is she having a stroke?
“Ever since you said you had a baby, she’s been having a little baby fever.” Sutton shrugs with a soft smile on her face. “It’s normal.”
“And that’s my cue to get the fuck out of here. I’ll see you ladies later.” I flick my hand up in a wave as I turn my back to them and head out.
For once, Cyrus isn’t lurking in the garage where I keep my girl stored when I’m not using her.
She purrs to life. I push my foot on the gas a few times, revving the engine and getting her warmed up before putting her in drive and heading to Aisling’s.
The whole ride there I can’t stop thinking about Aisling’s round ass bent over the hood as I fucked her raw.
“We can’t ride in that.”
Aisling and I are in a standoff in her driveway. Cormac is in his baby carrier that’s slung over her arm, passed the fuck out with multiple bags scattered at her feet as she looks at my car.
“Why the fuck not? You seemed perfectly fine in it last night. More than fine actually.” I smirk at the memory.
Aisling huffs. “Can you not right now? It’s not safe for Cormac.”
“I’m not going to drive like a fucking idiot with my son in the car, Aisling,” I say, my voice low and accusing.
I know I’m new to this whole dad thing, but what the fuck? I would never put someone I care about in danger. Especially my goddamn son.
“I know you wouldn’t,” Aisling says slowly, like I’m not understanding.
Which, apparently, I’m fucking not.
“Care to enlighten me as to what the problem is?” I ask, my hands resting on my hips, and I shift my weight to one leg, cocking the other out.
“Older cars aren’t safe for car seats. If we get in a wreck — and I’m not saying we will,” she rushes to add.
“There are no airbags like there are in newer cars, and I don’t know if we can even properly install it in the backseat.
” Aisling looks at the car, a concerned look on her face as she thinks it over.
I make a show of looking my car over before moving on to hers. “You think your G6 will save us?”
Her car is one bump away from the fender falling off because it’s so rusted out.
“It has better airbags,” she snaps. “And I know his seat can be installed properly.”
I tilt my head back as I close my eyes, exhaling loudly. “Is this the only way you’re going to come?”
“Don’t act like I’m being dramatic here, Lachlan! I take our son’s safety very seriously,” she says, her voice full of attitude.
“Alright, baby doll. Load him up in your car, but I’m driving,” I say, giving in. Aisling shoots me a victorious smile, and she walks to her car to get Cormac settled, leaving me to grab the bags. “Why do you need so many bags? If anyone is moving somewhere, it’s going to be my ass moving here.”
“It’s Cormac’s stuff. He usually does well with new places, but I want him to be as comfortable as possible just in case, so I brought a little bit of everything,” Aisling says, her still body half in the car.
She didn’t acknowledge my moving-in comment, but I didn’t hear a “That’s not happening, Lachlan,” so that’s a yes in my book. She just doesn’t know what she agreed to silently.
“Keys, babe,” I call to her once she’s out of the car and opening up the passenger-side door.
Aisling tosses them over the hood of the car for me to catch.
“Nervous?” I ask as I back out of her driveway.
Her hands are pressed between her thighs as she moves her thumbs back and forth. She’s sitting up straight with her back flush against the seat.
Aisling’s eyes flick to me. “I’m okay.”
My hand that was resting on the center console moves to her thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze before pulling her left hand out and intertwining it with mine. “They’re going to love you.” Some of them might a little too much. Cain will keep Evan in check. It’s Cyrus and Trick I’m worried about.
She gives me a tight smile but says nothing.
“What’s wrong?” I ask as I bring her hands up to my lips and place a kiss on hers.
“Nothing. It’s stupid.”
“Nothing is stupid when it comes to you. Tell me.”
“What if they don’t love me though?” Aisling bites her bottom lip, looking worried. “This is your family. If they hate me, then it’s all over. I’ve never met anyone’s family before. I don’t know how to do this. I’m going to fuck it up,” she rants.
“Hey,” I say, bringing her attention back to me. “Just be yourself and everything will fall into place. There isn’t one person in the club, brothers or old ladies, who is alike. We’re all a bunch of mismatched fuckheads, and that’s why we work.”
“I’ll try.” She gives me a tight smile.
By the time we pull into the clubhouse, Aisling’s leg is bouncing up and down. There’s nothing I can do. This is something she needs to see herself that everything is going to be fine.
“Is that your Mustang too?” Aisling points to Evan’s Dark Horse parked out front as we get out of the car.
“Nah, that’s Prez’s old lady’s car. I’m more of a classic car guy.” Not that I wouldn’t mind taking it for a spin.
“Ahh.” Aisling nods her head as she moves to the backseat to grab Cormac in his baby carrier.
“I got him,” I tell her, grabbing the handle.
Aisling hesitates before grabbing the bags and stepping out of the way.
“Ready to meet your family, little man?” I ask him, my wide eyes staring back at me.
“He can’t really talk yet. Mama and babble is about all he can do,” Aisling says as she follows behind me.
“Jesus.” I laugh. “I know I’m new to this, but I’m not that big of a fucking idiot. I know he can’t talk yet.”
I’m going to let that one slide. No sense in ruining the day over one of her sassy-ass comments. I know most of it stems from her being nervous.
“Oh,” Aisling mumbles.
“Ready, baby doll?” I ask her with my hand on the door handle.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
I snort.
That sounds reassuring.
I hold the door open for her, letting her go in first.
Aisling’s eyes grow wide as she takes it all in. I don’t think she knew what to expect. “Is this where all of you live?”
“We all have a room here.” I shrug. “Cain spends half his time here and half at the house next door. Ink and Sutton built a place on our property but still have a room here. Cyrus, Trick, and Scotch and I are the only ones left who live here full time.”
“That’s…” I hold my breath, waiting for her to tell me she hates it and could never see herself or Cormac staying here, “kind of awesome.”
I exhale, relieved that she likes it.
“I’m going to put Cormac’s bags in my room. I’ll be right back,” I tell her as I pass him off to her and grab the bags.
Nothing too crazy should happen to her while I’m gone.