Chapter 26
Kristie
The last few weeks had been a rollercoaster.
This place was home now, but I was still wrapping my head around what happened with the crazy guys from Jersey.
Then I learned bits and pieces about what happened when Rooster was in Indy.
I’m sure I didn’t get the juicy bits, but those Hellbound Heathens were set up there, and apparently that’s why his arm was shot up.
Shiv checked it a few times but said it would be a nasty scar.
She and I continued to grow closer. Daisy and Lacy were awesome, too. Lacy was prepping for her wedding soon. She had her bridesmaids lined up already and I was still so new, I was shocked when she apologized for already having an escort for Rooster.
“I’m pretty sure it’s fine,” Daisy said. “He didn’t even talk, much less look at anyone, until Kristie showed up.”
Every time I was reminded of how he was when we were apart, I flinched a little.
He was never a very loquacious person, but he spoke to me.
He even laughed sometimes. He was mostly stoic, but he felt deeply, and loved hard.
Knowing he barely existed all that time still broke my heart.
You’d think I’d eat it up for some sort of revenge for what he did to me, but I didn’t want that for him.
It was in the past, and we were together now.
“I’m just happy to be his plus one. If there’s anything I can do to help, though, just say the word.” With all the craziness that had been my life since the night I tossed my drink at Rooster, a wedding sounded great.
It was still wild that this all happened in such a short time.
Sitting around the clubhouse, watching cheesy movies, eating snacks, drinking, and listening to the bride-to-be gush over the plans for her do-over wedding made it seem like I’d been here for years.
It also made me realize how unhappy and lonely I’d really been all that time.
Bit was my closest family member and friend, but she was always away doing something exciting, finding herself, having real experiences. I loved my work, but I didn’t really love that job, only what it afforded me. I’d made no friends there and let my work consume me.
I was still bitter that even with everything I poured into it, my miracle drug either died or would eventually be passed to someone else to finish. There was nothing I could do about it.
But I was about to start a new job at the CDC, Rooster was promoted to a higher rank, which I didn’t completely understand, except he was basically third down the line, which seemed like a big deal, and more importantly, we were together.
While the world around us was hectic, we were each other’s calm within the storm.
I hadn’t noticed all the time we were apart, but there was always something missing.
Now that we were together, I felt whole.
And while I was nervous about my new job, a sense of belonging settled inside of me.
I took my old job to be able to work on the miracle drug, but something about being at the CDC felt more like being part of a team.
Even though I didn’t officially start until next week, I’d had several meetings with the group I’d be working with and they already made me feel right at home.
Everywhere I turned now, it felt like I’d found a place I belonged, not just somewhere I’d decided to grow roots. And I’d been in touch with Bit. She also finally found a place she felt she belonged. She was so happy with Sawyer, and she was happy for me.
Neither of us were too excited to talk to the rest of the family about our decisions.
I told my parents I’d relocated for the job at the CDC.
I couldn’t leave them completely in the dark about such a big move, and I’d explain Rooster soon enough.
I was an adult. It wasn’t like they could really protest, but I also didn’t want to worry them, so one big chunk of life change at a time.
“Girls, I could use some help,” Mama Hen said as he poked her head into the rec room that we had turned into wedding central.
We all jumped up, slamming binders and magazines closed before filing out to help. The wedding was mostly all handled, but we still enjoyed flipping through the different details and all the new editions of the hottest wedding magazines.
We headed into the industrial kitchen and I said, “Wow. We got the meat!”
Mama Hen laughed. “Yeah, their new buddy, Sawyer, sent a ton.” She looked up, her eyes wide. “No shit, I think it’s an actual ton of beef.”
There were steaks, ground beef, ribs, you name it.
“We’ll grill some steaks tonight but I need help packing the rest up for the freezer.”
After an hour of all of us wrapping, bagging, and labeling pounds and pounds of fresh beef products, we all grabbed a drink at the bar.
Mama Hen and a member carried a hefty amount of steaks, plus some chicken for Shiv, outside. Once they hit the grill, the scent wafted inside, and my mouth was watering. “Oh my God, that smells amazing.”
Daisy stood and stuck her hand out. “Let’s go. It’s not too chilly outside. We can make a fire and get drunk while they cook.”
Grabbing my drink, I asked, “Have you seen Rooster?”
Lacy shrugged. “Hmm, maybe earlier. He’s probably helping with the grills. It’s one thing if they overcook a burger. Nobody wants an overcooked steak.”
Shiv said, “Enjoy your raw food. I’ll have my chicken cooked through, thank you very much.”
Between the few drinks from earlier and the one I managed to down after our manual labor, my insides were already warm.
As we stepped outside, I said, “Wow. Haven’t had this many visitors in a while.”
Mama Hen walked past just as I’d said that. “Yeah, Hawk invited a few friends. It’s not every day you get a free load of steaks. Hey, Kristie, will you come hold the door?”
Mama Hen was holding some kind of box, so I said, “Sure.”
“Hey, finish that drink,” Daisy said.
Thinking they were both being curious, I downed my drink anyway and set it down, then followed Mama Hen.
I grabbed the door for her, then there was a tap on my shoulder.
When I turned, Hawk was standing there. I didn’t speak to him often, usually only in passing. He was the president, and even though I didn’t always understand this place, anyone with common sense understood what president meant.
“Can I help you, sir?” I asked.
He raised his brows. “Sir. Wow.” He chuckled and looked over. I followed his eyes and he was looking at my friends. “I think you’re the first to address me that way. I like it.”
A man cleared their throat behind me. I thought it was Rooster, but when I went to turn, Hawk grabbed my shoulder, keeping me turned in his direction.
“I digress. Kristie, I have something very important to discuss with you. Is that okay?” Hawk asked.
My heart sped up, but I tried to keep my face calm. “Yes, sir.”
He chuckled again but quickly continued. “You’ve made an impression on everyone here. The ladies love you, the guys respect you, and you even had a little adventure and took it like a champ.”
“I don’t know if I’d call that an adventure, but I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
Hawk grinned. “Funny you said vote. Because the thing is, there was a vote presented and it was unanimous.”
My brow pinched as my heart beat even faster. What was happening?
“The officers voted that you will be patched in as property of Rooster, becoming his Old Lady. Do you accept?”
“Oh my God.”
Hawk leaned in and whispered, “You should save that for him later.” He straightened up and repeated himself. “Do you accept?”
“I do. Yes!”
I started to look around, but Hawk continued, “Do you promise to always stay true to our destiny and enforce our bylaws?”
Stammering, I said, “Yes, of course.”
“Do you promise to always stay true to Rooster and support him and the club?”
“Yes. Yes.”
Hawk looked behind me. “Rooster, present her patch.”
Rooster and Mama Hen walked around and Rooster lifted the lid from the box, pulling a leather vest out. “Kristie, my Sparrow,” he said with a crooked smile. “I promise to stay true to you, and always protect and support you. Will you be my Old Lady?”
Tears filled my eyes and my breath caught, but I managed to get out a broken, “Y–yes!”
He held up the cut. The large patch with the grim reaper and crossed scythes took up the center. Over the patch said, “Property of,” and below it, “Rooster.”
He tipped his head, so I turned and held my arms out so he could put it on. Looking down over my heart was a small patch that said, “Sparrow.”
“Oh my God. It’s so official.”
He turned me, then grabbed my face with both hands. His dark eyes scanned my face before he said, “It is so official. You’re mine forever, Sparrow. I love you.”
“I love you, Rooster.”
When his lips crushed mine, my salty tears finally rolled down my cheeks. There, in front of his brothers and my new sisters with the cut and the kiss, we became one. And I knew it was only the beginning.