Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Two weeks into my recovery, I was ready to climb the walls. Desperation rang in my voice when Kenna called to check in on me, which was how I conned her into planning an impromptu Labor Day cookout at Reaper and Eva’s house.
“I’m not sitting next to you at any tables,” Hatchet whispered conspiratorially in my ear as we walked into their house.
I snickered and wondered if he’d ever forgive me. “I promise to be good this time. Mostly because I’m not in any shape to be chased through the woods.”
He looked at me with concern. “Are you sure you’re ready to be out of the house?”
I bumped his shoulder. “I’ll be fine. I’m still a little sore, but I promise to sit and chill all night. Maybe with a cocktail?”
“No alcohol,” he said firmly. “Doctor’s orders.”
“Fucking doctors,” I muttered. “They’re the worst.”
Jessa let out a girly shriek when she saw Gracie, who had quickly become her best friend, reading on a blanket in the backyard with Hawk curled up beside her.
“You look stunning,” Fuse said, embracing me in a gentle hug with one arm.
“Thank you. I rock black and blue like no one else.”
He chuckled.
Hatchet pulled up a canvas lawn chair and nearly forced me into it. Kenna, Eva, and Rhetta pulled up their own beside me.
“Is Jessa doing okay?” Eva asked.
“She appreciated that everyone showed up to the funeral. I think she’s relieved that chapter of her life has closed.”
Eva nodded in understanding. She’d lost her mother at nearly the same age. “And Hatchet?”
I winced. “He took it harder than I expected. Harder than he expected.”
The old ladies stayed silent for a beat before the wind shifted and the scent of smoke wafted over us.
“What’s Reaper cooking?” Kenna asked. “It smells good.”
Eva shrugged. “He bought that new smoker, so I imagine some sort of smoked meat with a side of more smoked meat. And apparently he’s making a smoked cheesecake. Everything we eat now is smoked.”
“Has anyone here heard of vegetables? Maybe a salad?” I grumbled.
“I brought side dishes,” Kenna assured. “Potato salad, cole slaw, ambrosia salad.”
“Ambrosia salad? What’s that?”
“Fruit with marshmallow fluff. Wait? You’ve never had ambrosia salad?”
I waved my hands in the air dramatically. “Why would anyone mix fruit with marshmallows? Those are for s’mores.”
Kenna grabbed my left hand and stared at the ruby on my finger. Her eyes moved to mine. “Are you engaged?”
“Took you long enough to notice,” I said with a laugh.
Rhetta and Eva moved closer, peering at my finger.
“He proposed when he gave me his patch. I want to hire you to plan the wedding, if you’re willing.”
Kenna hugged me. “Of course I’ll plan your wedding. Does Merrick know?”
I shook my head. “Not yet.”
As if summoned, my brother and fiancé ambled up. Hatchet pressed a kiss to my forehead.
“Your fiancée asked me to plan your wedding,” Kenna said nonchalantly.
Merrick’s eyes flicked from me, the ring, and then to Hatchet. “I didn’t realize you were going to ask so soon.”
Hatchet shrugged. “When it’s the right woman, you know. Why wait? Dude, does this mean I get to go cake tasting again?”
I furrowed my brows. “When have you ever gone cake tasting?”
Hatchet threw his head back and laughed. “When Kenna was planning the club’s fiftieth, I helped pick out the cake. I wonder what the baker will think when I show up with a different woman?”
“Probably that you’re a man whore,” I razzed.
“Recovered man whore,” he countered.
“Getting weird with you guys all settling down,” Fuse said.
“You’re next,” Reaper said, shoving his shoulder.
“Unlikely,” Fuse said. “When’s the big day?”
Hatchet glanced at me. “That’s up to my bride.”
“The end of May. I want a spring wedding. The magnolias and peonies will be in full bloom.”
Merrick choked. “May? That’s only eight months away.”
“Aw, he can do math,” I mocked.
Merrick’s eyes flicked to Kenna. “We’re going to let them get married before we do?”
Kenna rolled her eyes. “Tell Reaper to get our house built. Once we’re settled, you can put a ring on it.”
“I can’t believe my baby sister’s getting married before me,” Merrick grumbled bitterly.
Hatchet huffed a laugh. “What can I say? Some of us are just husband material.”