Chapter 8 #3
When we pulled up to my parents’ house, I was relieved when Charlie hopped out and went in ahead of us. Being that close to Fee without getting to touch her felt impossible. We climbed the porch steps, then I watched as Fiona came to a stop, suddenly motionless at the entrance to the house.
Using the opportunity to touch her, I gave her some encouragement, and was rewarded when she let me guide her inside.
Keeping Fee close to me, I took the bag she was carrying from her.
We walked into the kitchen, and I placed it on the counter carefully, not wanting to ruin whatever she had made for us.
“Fiona! It’s so good to see you. I’m so happy you were able to join us,” Ma said, rushing over to pull her into a tight hug. I stepped outside to check on my dad, and we were all seated in the dining room within the hour.
I was able to snag the seat next to Fiona, much to Charlie’s chagrin.
She was watching me from across the table, and I was expecting a kick anytime now.
It was worth it, though, to sit that close to Fiona.
Her scent wrapped around me, and it took more strength than I cared to admit to stop myself from burying my face in her neck, breathing her in.
“Cal, can you pass the salad?” Mom asked. Charlie whipped her head around to analyze Fiona’s reaction.
“I’m sorry, son. Did you not want Fiona to know your legal name?” Ma asked, her voice holding a bit of humor as she watched all of our responses.
“Callum Dalton Williams,” Fiona replied from my side as we all looked at her.
“You gave me your driver’s license the first night we met. Before I let you into my apartment,” she replied, her cheeks flushing as she noticed the whole table watching her.
I smiled, unable to stop the feeling of warmth that ran through me, knowing she remembered my name, that maybe I had left an impression on her that first meeting, the same way she left one on me. Fiona was starting to fidget, so I tried to change the subject.
“I prefer Cal, but it’s sort of a moot point by now. Everyone just calls me Bash.”
“Why Bash?” she asked, and I groaned as I saw Dad getting ready to tell his version of the story.
“Fiona, my dear, I’m so happy you asked,” he said, smiling big at me.
“Our boy may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but damn, was he determined to do what he wanted, no matter what it took to get there. As soon as he learned to walk, he decided running full speed at objects was the best method of getting around. I can’t begin to count the amount of times he ran headfirst, bashing straight into walls, pets, people—basically anything in his way. ”
Fiona laughed, and I rolled my eyes, letting my father hold court.
“We got him his first bike. Cece made me get him a helmet and pads, the whole works.
He never wanted to take them off. They stank.
We used to have to pry the elbow pads off him when he was asleep.
Eventually, we let him keep the helmet on because it seemed like our only option of preventing permanent head trauma.
“Once he got older, he got into boxing and other martial arts. By his teenage years, he had everyone convinced Bash was the name the MC gave him for his fighting skills. Reaper and I let him tell that story, but between us family, you should know there’s probably some brain damage there.
We should have gotten him the helmet sooner. ”
“Guard!” Cece yelled as Charlie howled in laughter. I felt my face flush as Fiona turned that copper gaze on me.
“Anyway, if you ever want to know the true story behind some of the Brothers’ names, come talk to me and I’ll set you straight.
When do you think you’ll come by the clubhouse?
I know Reaper and the other Brothers are dying to meet you.
” The table turned as one to look at Fiona, who was doing a good imitation of a tomato at that moment.
“I, uh, I don’t know. I never really thought about it. I thought the clubhouse was just for members and family.”
“It is. That’s why it’s about time you stopped by.
You know, they’re calling you the Charlie tamer?
The SC Charter is coming through next week.
There’s gonna be a big cookout at the clubhouse.
You should come, and I know a few people willing to pay you to bring some of the meals you’ve been feeding Match. ”
“SC Charter?” Fiona asked, right as I blurted out the only thing I’d heard from that last sentence.
“What’s that about Match?” Why is she making special meals for him and not me? Before that thought could fully register, Guard burst out laughing.
“Aw, look at big bro, all pissy and jealous. Fee, don’t let him manipulate you. You cook whatever your heart desires. I can taste-test to help,” Charlie offered, and Fiona looked overwhelmed. I grabbed her hand, her head whipping around in shock.
“Fee, baby, you don’t have to cook anything. Don’t let them bully you. You should definitely come by the clubhouse, though. Maybe you can come by this week to check it out when it’s not packed with people. We can make sure Charlie and Match are there so you’re comfortable.
“That way, it will be less overwhelming at the cookout next week. We have a few charters located throughout the states, so in addition to the regular guys, there will be a dozen or so of the brothers from South Carolina there as well.”
Her eyes never left mine as I spoke, and I could have lost myself in her gaze.
She had a gift for making you feel like the only one in the room when you were talking to her, to the point that I hadn’t realized my whole family was staring at us open-mouthed during my spiel.
I was holding Fiona’s hand and had called her baby.
Charlie was shooting daggers, Dad looked beyond amused, and Mom just looked shocked.
“What about tomorrow afternoon? I’ll come by, we can get ready together, then I’ll drive us over. If you’re uncomfortable or don’t want to be there, we can come back here and watch a movie,” Charlie offered.
Seeing she was outnumbered, Fiona nodded meekly. I was glad my family was there. Whether they intended to or not, they were helping me get that much closer to making sure she was fully woven into the fabric of our lives.
The idea of not having a future with Fiona was no longer plausible to me, and my loved ones had just handed me the perfect opportunity to show her where she was meant to be. There was a family waiting for her—she just had to let us in.