Chapter 16LovelyMarx
Lovely
“ L et’s get this party started!” Ana whoops, Jr on her hip. “Mama needs a drink.”
She pushes past me in the doorway and heads straight for the counter.
Nat gives me an apologetic smile and all my ladies file in through the door.
Vi with Juno, Chewy with Laney, Blanche with Tess, Nat with Rosie, Remy, Mira, Kaia, Mama Debs and Pops.
Pops is an honorary lady we decided. I mean, it’s not the Girl Gang without Pops, is it?
“Knock knock, do you have space for two more?” An accented voice drifts through the open doorway.
“Yes! Come in, come in,” I wave both hands at Sasha and Dima and we all make room for them in my cabin.
“And one more hanger on?” Mad Dog’s voice drifts through the door as he enters with a cheeky smile.
“Yes, and you too.” I roll my eyes, closing the door behind him.
It’s not the largest space, so it’s definitely filled to the brim tonight, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I love having guests, making them feel at home. For some reason it feels different here than it did at the Keep. There it was an obligation. Here it’s a pleasure.
“What film are we watching?” I call out, bringing bowls of chips, dips and a whole charcuterie board I learned to make from the internet.
Vi lets out a low whistle, “Well, well well, look at little Miss Domesticated here.” I roll my eyes at her and flick her with the dish cloth.
“Let’s put a kids film on in the background and then while they’re busy watching all the colors and sounds, we can catch up on gossip.”
“Yeah, good plan. I don’t feel like we know enough about the new girl yet,” Nat winks at Kaia.
The other woman doesn’t flinch. From what I know of her she’s one tough cookie.
We talked for around an hour today before she thought she better see what her twins were up to.
I really like her and I think if she gives us, and Judge a chance, it’ll be the best thing that ever happened to her little family.
Dima very helpfully finds some kids show to put on, and the toddlers all make their way to the colorful rug in front of the TV.
“Should we be worried? They’re all staring at the thing like we don’t exist,” Remy mutters.
“Nah, I’m sure they’ll be fine. We’ll counteract it with some classical music or something, right Chewy?” Vi asks.
“I can come up with an easy to follow brain growth routine if you all would like one?”
“So, Lovely, how is Marx?” Pops butts in, saving us from having to decline Chewy’s very generous offer.
I wait for my friends to stop making “ooohing” noises before I say anything. Well, that and I have to get my thoughts straight. “Marx is fine. He said he wants to try to, I guess, date me? He wants a relationship, so, whatever that looks like.”
“And he’s treating you well? No saying shitty things?” Ana asks, eyes narrowed. “Cos if he is, I can get Sasha or Roman to kick his arse for you.”
“As nice as that sentiment sounds, he is treating me well. I mean, we’ve had rocky patches, but I get it. The pressure on him is immense at times. Look how many of us look to him for guidance, or to keep us safe.”
Nat bobs her head from side to side, and Mira shrugs. Remy looks thoughtful and I know she is more like me personality-wise. She spends time watching people.
“I don’t care what he’s got going on. As long as he’s treating you right,” Pops grumbles.
I can’t help the smile that blooms on my face. “He’s treating me like Wes does Buttercup.”
Everyone swoons, well, most everyone. Chewy nods and Dima sits stiffly next to his swooning brother.
“Has he asked you on a date yet? Oh my gosh, what will you wear?” Mira asks, then gets all excited at the prospect even though no date asking has happened.
“Ugh, it’s going to be soooo sweet, I can already feel my teeth getting cavities.
It’s kinda like a second chance romance.
Big alpha dude puts his foot in his mouth-”
“Over and over,” Pops butts in.
“-and then he sees the light! Realizes he’s been a dick and needs to win back the woman’s heart.
” She sighs. “He’s got it pretty easy really.
We all know the way to your heart is Bee.
All the man needs to do is treat her right, and woo you Wesley-style and BAM!
Lovely is the first lady and all is right in the world. ”
I smile gently at her. Mira sees things the same way she sees her romance stories. Probably in more ways than one seeing as her romance stories do seem to have an awful lot of murder in them.
“Do you think it’s worth giving him a second chance? Is anyone worth a second chance if they’ve proven they were idiots the first time?” Kaia asks, brows furrowed.
I’m not sure it works for everyone, but I’m willing to try. I open my mouth to say as much but Nat beats me to it.
“When Savage and I were a new couple, he made a series of really dumb decisions. Late to dates because he was drinking with the boys, he missed a romantic home cooked meal because he was out with the boys. He thought he could have all the fun in the world, and I would wait for him whenever he was ready. So I dumped the romantic dinner over his head and dumped his ass. Took him two months of wooing for me to give him a second chance. I’m glad I did because he’s the love of my life. ”
“I freaked out and ran away up a mountain. Gus, who hates the great outdoors, hiked 8 hours to find me,” Ana adds.
“Jules fucked me and then hit me with a stone cold line about it meaning nothing. I gave him shit about it until he panic attacked himself into being the best damn boyfriend that ever lived.”
“I ran away to infiltrate a human trafficking ring without telling Rhodie. I’ve gotten myself kidnapped a couple of times and he still lets me peg him because he loves me,” Chewy beams.
“Ah,” Mad Dog clears his throat, clearly not expecting that revelation from Chewy. “I think what they’re trying to tell you, sweetheart, is that people do dumb shit. But it’s up to you if you think they deserve a second chance.”
I walk over and drop a kiss on Mad Dog’s cheek. He beams up at me and I turn to drop one on Pops’ too, seeing as both these men hold a piece of my heart. They’re always there for pep talks and counseling.
“Ah, where’s Pops?”
“He mentioned something about going to the big house to get ice or something,” Mama Debs says, gazing out the window with a smile on her face. She loves that man to distraction.
We settle into relative ease with each other, Ana growing more and more tipsy as the night goes on.
Remy shows us some sweet self defense moves and Kaia tells us a little more about her life with the twins.
By the time everyone’s Ol Men arrive to take them home, I am officially filled to the brim with joy at spending an evening with my friends.
Even more so when Dima leaves us with a mysterious “The time is near ladies. I’ll be in touch,” as he walks out the door with Sasha.
“I’m guessing your night went well?” Marx’s deep voice rolls over me as I stand in the kitchen putting leftovers into little containers. “We could hear the laughter from the farmhouse.”
I whirl around to face him, cheeks immediately heating. “What did you hear?”
He looks thoughtful, brows pinched, “A whole lot of squealing, giggling and someone, I think it was Vi, yelling ‘We all need replicas of our men’s dicks!’”
I snort, but don’t confirm or deny anything. “I had a wonderful evening. They really are the best group of women I could ever wish to meet.” I meet his gaze with my own. “I’m really glad I’m here.”
“I’m really glad you are too.” He smiles softly, moving close enough to run a thick finger down my cheek.
“Um, Lovely,” he clears his throat, suddenly looking nervous, “Would you do me the honor of accompanying me on a date tomorrow? We can make it early, before Bee’s bedtime because I know you like putting her down yourself. ”
My stomach flutters and my mind immediately flicks to my wardrobe and what the heck I’m going to wear. I don’t even realize I haven’t answered him until he clears his throat again, looking a little constipated.
“Oh, I’d love to, Marx, I would love that very much.” I smile, “But, we’re on lockdown?”
“Leave it all to me,” he winks.
Marx
“And you’re sure this will work?”
“Sure. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?” Pops says with a little shrug.
I look toward Mad Dog, Rhodie, and damn near every man in my club, including the new bastards who all stand there grinning. They know as well as I do that this could go fucking amazing, or turn to shit.
“We’re sure that Elio has this shit covered?” I check again. I want to be sure. And I also want to settle my nerves. This shit needs to be perfect.
Pops rolls his eyes and I catch Elio behind his back pulling the same move. I’d growl at the little shit, but I kinda need his expertise. He must sense that I’m apprehensive because he walks up to me, places his small hand on my forearm and with a serious face he says, “Trust me Pres.”
I nod, because what the fuck else are you meant to do when a seven year old asks you to trust them?
“It’ll be fine. Besides, you should be more worried about you messing up than us,” Cove loudly points out. Now her? Her I know I shouldn’t trust. Luckily her best friend Jovie gives me two thumbs up and makes me feel a little better.
“OK, good, this is good. And everything else is set up?” I flick my eyes to Rider.
After Pops’ big song and dance to Mama Debs, I knew that I needed to call him in if I wanted some type of musical director.
Actually, scrap that, I wanted a band to give Lovely the kind of date I’d take her on if we weren’t on lockdown.
You know, dinner, dancing, that sort of thing.
Instead I’ve got Rider going rogue on the music and dancing part.
“Pres, we got this. Just chill, everything will be fine,” he assures me. I narrow my eyes at him and his grin grows wider, not making me feel at ease at all.