Chapter 10
CHAPTER
TEN
Van
A few days have passed since I went to the Triple R ranch and spent some time with the Kings.
I’ve seen the guys and women sporadically, but they’ve been busy finalizing the sendoff for my ex.
That’s the reason I haven’t taken their absence personally.
I get random text messages from all of them and have even seen Icer sitting in the parking lot watching over us.
I’ve wanted to reach out to him and invite him in, but Riptide didn’t think that was a good idea.
He says Icer needs to feel comfortable enough to make that move first. I promised to give him a chance when that time comes.
And I mean it. That man needs to be surrounded by people who are willing to look past his rough demeanor and not judge him when he needs to take a step back to catch his breath.
My little guy is teething so he’s a bit crankier than usual.
I dug through his diaper bag and couldn’t find his teether to sooth his gums so I had to improvise.
I soaked one of his baby wash rags and stuck it in the freezer.
While he gnaws on that, we’re going to walk down to the pharmacy and get him some gel to ease the ache.
I struggle to get his stroller unfolded with him squiggling in my arms. He’s an unhappy camper who doesn’t want to be let out of my arms for even a moment to get the task done.
“I’m trying, baby boy,” I say in a soothing tone.
“Mom’s gonna have to set you down so I can find out what has your stroller stuck, kiddo. ”
“I can take him,” Icer says, causing me to gasp before yelping. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. Can I have him now?”
“Hang on,” I say around a gulp. “Let me get my heart rate back to normal first.” I’m a bit shaky because I didn’t hear him approach. He appeared out of nowhere like an apparition. For a large man, he sure is stealthy.
“Where are we going?” he asks, his voice box sounds gruff, as if he doesn’t use it enough.
Swallowing past the ample lump now clogging my throat, I tell him, “We’re heading to the pharmacy. I can’t find his teething gel or ring and he’s not happy because he’s got a tooth breaking through his gums.”
“That sucks,” Icer hums. “I don’t like it when the little ones are in pain. Should get him some Tylenol too.”
“I found that and gave him a dose an hour ago,” I inform him. “I know it’s supposed to be a miracle, but it only stretches so far.”
“Zoey gives Elodie something in between that helps. Do you do that?” he asks, giving me an accusatory look as if I enjoy causing my son pain.
“Motrin. And yes, I supplement but it has to be in two hour shifts so he can’t have any yet,” I relay.
“Good,” Icer says, nodding his head while reaching out his arms and wiggling his fingers.
Now that I can think again and not want to jump out of my skin, I hand my son over. “He’s a little cranky so he may wiggle a lot.”
“Don’t care. I’m strong, I can handle it,” he rebuffs, sounding offended.
“I know you can, I was only warning you so you’d be prepared,” I respond. “He’s strong too and if you’re not prepared, it can catch you off guard.”
I toss his stroller back into the cabin because I have a suspicion Icer’s going to want to carry him while we’re out on our adventure through town.
Icer gives me an approving nod and starts walking down the sidewalk that leads to my cabin.
I’m thankful the owners had the foresight to add that because walking through the terrain with a ten month old in tow isn’t what I’d consider as being a fun time.
With my luck, I’d roll an ankle and we’d both go down.
Eating dirt isn’t something I plan to add to my daily nutrient menu.
Gagey is mesmerized by Icer, reaching up to tug on one of his many Nordic braids.
As I go to remove his hands, Icer slaps mine away.
Alrighty then, I’ll leave them alone and pray my son doesn’t yank one out.
As we continue walking, I send Riptide a quick text telling him about what my boy is doing.
He sends back laughing emoji’s and suggests I let Icer and little man bond.
I wasn’t aware that’s what they were doing, but if I stop long enough to think about it, it makes sense in a caveman sort of way.
When we reach the store, I bypass the buggies and head straight for the baby aisle.
The squeaking of wheels coming up behind me catches my attention and I swivel on my feet.
Icer still has my boy tucked under one arm and the other one is pushing a cart.
I tilt my head to the side in a silent question but I soon have my answer when Icer begins tossing toys and other stuff inside of it.
“He doesn’t need all of that, Icer.”
“Says who? Did he tell you that?” Icer asks, and the way he’s looking at me dares me to say otherwise.
“Um… no,” I all but stutter out the answer. “But he has a suitcase full of toys, blankets, and diapers. I promise, he’s stocked up.”
“Don’t care,” he mumbles and reaches for a light up bouncy ball when Gagey’s eyes light up when he sees it. Someone must’ve recently knocked into or played with it to have it going off the way it is. I scan Icer and notice that he’s looking anywhere but at me. The culprit has been exposed.
“I’m never going to have a say-so when you’re around, am I?” I ask, knowing what he’s going to say before he says it.
“Nope. He wants something or I want him to have it, he’ll get it.” I guess that’s the end of that discussion because he bypasses me and continues strolling down the aisle.
What universe have I landed myself in? There are men in my hometown I grew up with who didn’t even bat an eye in my boy’s direction when they’d see us in a store.
Didn’t even offer to help when they’d see me trying to wrangle him while getting something off the shelf.
Men aren’t bred like they were back in the day.
My dad used to open car doors for women he never met and would even walk elderly ladies across the street.
Yet this man, who didn’t care for my ex, has known of Gagey’s existence for less than a week is already spoiling him rotten and carrying him around like he’s been a part of his life since he drew his first breath.
I didn’t get the impression he’d be like this when we first met. I thought the only reason he’d want me around is because of his brother’s connection to Gage, but now I’m seeing him in a whole different light.
Icer took one of the store’s buggies and is pushing it back to the cabin since the bags ended up being more than he could carry alongside Gagey.
In a neanderthal way, he grunted at me when I went to lift them and stared me down.
Needless to say, I relented. He talked to the manager before we strolled away, promising him it’d be returned before the end of the night.
With the reputation the Kings have garnered in their town and the ones surrounding it, the man waved us off nonchalantly and told us he wasn’t worried about it, we could bring it back when we had spare time.
I’m keeping an emotional distance between Icer and me, I don’t think he’s the kind of man I should grow attached to.
From what Zoey has shared, she and Elodie have a close bond with him, but with my desertion issues, I don’t want to fend off another broken heart when he decides we’re not worth his time.
As long as he doesn’t push my boy away, I can deal with being on the outside looking in.
As we hit the parking lot, a smile graces my face when I see Riptide leaned against his bike with his arms and ankles crossed. “Hey,” I call out, waving frantically. “I didn’t know you were stopping by.”
“Wanted to see you and needed to talk to this big lug,” Riptide says, tossing his thumb Icer’s way.
“What’s up, pres?” Icer asks, pinning Riptide with an ominous stare.
“Elodie talked Indiana into buying her a slip ‘n slide. The guys are going to grill some burgers and dogs and Elodie insists that you be there. I thought maybe Van would like to bring little G for some fun.”
“He’s teething and isn’t in the best of moods,” I warn him. “But if y’all can handle that, we’d love to come.”
“If we can handle cranky bikers, we can handle a teething kid,” Riptide concludes. “Any opportunity to see y’all is worth it. Is there anything I can do for him? I don’t like the idea of him hurting.”
“That’s what the big guy said,” I proclaim, pointing at Icer. “We got supplies so he should be good.”
“Alright, pack up your swim gear and I’ll follow you back to the clubhouse,” Riptide directs. Turning back to Icer, he holds out his arms and plucks my son out of Icer’s hands which has the man growling. “You have to share, Icer. Go to Elodie, we’ll meet you there.”
“Fine, I’ll go take care of my princess. But you’re coming, right?” Icer asks, turning my way.
“We’re coming,” I promise. “I’m not going to take him away from you and the club, Icer. He needs all of his uncles, including you.”
With a nod of his head he strolls away. “I’m beginning to see a pattern here,” Riptide announces. “Kids are his kryptonite. The only time he shows true emotions is when he’s with them.”
“It’s because they’re innocent and don’t have ill-will or intentions. He knows they won’t hurt him and they need him. It’s the adults he doesn’t trust or want around. As long as he treats them good, that’s all we should care about.”
“He’d never hurt a kid, I believe that with my whole heart,” Riptide announces. “He knows what it’s like to be vulnerable and unable to defend yourself.”
“It’s why he makes a perfect defender for them, Riptide.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more. Come on, let’s get y’all packed up and this shit put away,” he says, looking at the overflowing buggy. “What did he do, buy out the store?”
“No, just the baby section,” I giggle. “He snapped his teeth at me anytime I tried to put something back. I finally gave up and decided anything we won’t use we can donate. His heart was in the right place.”
“That’s an assembly of words I never thought I’d hear strung together when it comes to my burly brother,” Riptide chuckles. “You see him, don’t you?”
“I see him,” I confirm. “It’s a shame people don’t look deeper and see the real him. They judge him by his exterior not what’s inside.”
“Thank you, Van. Not many people give him the chance to be himself. He’s scared of showing others that side of him, so when he does and opens up, it should be seen as the treasure it is.”
“You don’t have to thank me for being a decent human being, Riptide. If people are so closed-minded, they’re going to lose out on the good things life has to offer.” With that said, I unlock the door and grab Gagey from him so he can bring in the bags.
Within thirty minutes, the bags are unloaded, unpacked, stored, and we’re packed up and ready to go. I’m kinda looking forward to watching these grown assed men in swim trunks while trying to outmaneuver Elodie.