Epilogue #2
“You said you wanted to become a tattoo artist. We want to help you achieve that dream. One of the guys in the club owns a tattoo parlor. You can check it out, and if you want it, he’s happy to offer you an apprenticeship after your course,” Gage says.
He looks a little sheepish as he admits, “I showed him some of your sketches, and he said you have real potential. Even if you find that tattooing’s not for you, he’d be happy if you designed him some flash art. ”
Tears well in my eyes at his thoughtfulness. “Gage, this is incredible, but I don’t have the time. I can’t work full-time and study.”
“Which is why you’re not going to work. We’re going to support you while you train,” Ace interjects.
“I can’t expect you to do that,” I say, feeling uncomfortable with the idea of being a kept woman.
“You can help out at the club and our other businesses when you have the time,” Ace insists, knowing I won’t want to feel like a complete freeloader.
“Plus, you can give us free tattoos,” Gage adds with a grin. “I want you to tattoo me, remember. It’s up to you, but don’t let things like money get in the way of your dream when we can support you.”
“Okay, I’ll do it, thank you,” I reply. My heart feels as if it might burst out of my chest. I’m so happy. Gage hugs and kisses me, and I turn, expecting to see Cash behind me, but he’s disappeared, silently leaving the room while I was distracted.
“Cash has just gone to get your gift. Open some others while we wait,” Ace says.
“Who are they all from?” I ask in awe. I’ve never seen so many presents in my life.
“The Road Renegades, of course,” Ace says. As if it’s totally normal that these people I hardly know would buy me birthday gifts. “You’re our old lady now and part of the Road Renegades family,” he adds by way of explanation.
Each gift is thoughtful, and I feel myself welling up with the generosity of my new family.
I vow to take the time to get to know them all and thank them personally.
At that moment, Cash reappears carrying a large, wrapped box.
As he gets closer, I can hear strange sounds coming from inside it, and it appears to be moving.
My eyes widen with surprise as Cash sets it down in front of me.
I look between him and the box. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Open it and find out,” he replies with a smile that tells me it’s precisely what I’m thinking.
I open the lid of the box, and inside there’s the most adorable black and tan puppy I’ve ever seen.
I pick it up and breathe in its puppy smell as I hug it.
The puppy doesn’t protest or wriggle, looking at me with big, trusting brown eyes.
“It’s just like the one we had when I was a kid,” I say in awe.
“The very same. When we were thinking about getting a dog, we asked Eli. I hope you don’t mind that I got you a pet without asking?
” Cash asks worriedly. “I know that’s not a thing you’re meant to do these days, but it’s just that you’ve talked so much about how much you loved that dog and would like to have one again someday… ”
“I don’t mind at all!” I exclaim, falling in love with the puppy already. “Does he have a name?”
Cash shakes his head. “No, I thought you’d want to decide that. And it’s a she. I thought you had enough men around the house that you could use some backup with another woman in the house,” he says with a chuckle.
“Well, that’s true,” I laugh. “Are you gonna help me boss these big old men around?” I say in a cute voice to the puppy who yips and licks my nose.
Gage laughs. “I think that’s a yes.”
“She’ll get a lot bigger, so she’ll be a good guard dog to keep you safe, too. I thought she might help with your bad dreams and everything,” Cash adds.
“What are you going to call her?” Gage asks.
I look down at the pup and at the tattoo on my arm of a moon going through its phases, symbolizing new life and new beginnings. “I think I’ll call her Luna,” I say with a smile. The puppy yips again, wagging her tail and licking me as if she approves.
“That sounds like a perfect name,” Cash says with a smile.
“Thank you, Cash, I love her. I love all of my gifts,” I add, looking to the others. I’m blown away by the kind, thoughtful gifts from my men.
“Which is your favorite?” Ace says, ever competitive, though he’s only teasing.
“I couldn’t possibly choose a favorite when all three gifts are so incredible.
” The same goes for my men, I think. “Although maybe this morning’s gift might still be the best,” I purr, only half teasing.
I gesture for them to come to me, and they do, surrounding me and touching and kissing me.
“Perhaps we could have round two?” I suggest.
Gage chuckles nervously. “Well, we didn’t think our surprise through, boys. We should have accounted for our woman’s insatiable appetite.”
“What do you mean? There can’t possibly be any more surprises or gifts than this, can there?” I say, looking between their sheepish expressions.
“Just a couple,” Cash says.
Ace takes charge, kissing my hand and taking it in his. “But I’m afraid the next one can’t wait. So, unfortunately, as much as I’d like to rip that dress off you and fuck you senseless, it’s going to have to wait a little bit longer.”
Feeling a little bit disappointed, but also intrigued, I kiss him. “Okay, I’m sure you’ll make it up to me. So, what’s this big surprise?”
“Follow me,” Ace says, leading the way.
Cash follows behind with Luna stumbling along uncertainly on her shiny new leash with Gage by his side. We head toward the clubhouse, and as we get closer, I have a feeling I know what my surprise will be. The place is quiet, far too calm for a Friday night, and dark.
“A surprise party?” I say, raising my eyebrow. “I’m not exactly winning prizes for being the most sociable party girl.”
Gage pouts. “Spoilsport, trust us, it’ll be fun. Now, act surprised when you walk in.”
I can’t help but grin back. I’m so happy that I don’t even mind that my last surprise wasn’t as good as the previous ones. “Fine. You guys owe me extra orgasms later, though.”
“Deal,” Ace says, and swats my ass playfully.
“Surprise!” everyone yells as we walk inside, and the lights flash on to reveal the entire Road Renegades family standing there waiting for me.
The surprise on my face is genuine, though, as standing front and center is Eli. I rush to my brother and hug him. “Eli, you came! I wasn’t expecting to see you!”
“I got discharged early. They’re pleased with my progress. And I couldn’t miss my baby sister’s birthday, could I?” he says with a smile. He looks well, stronger, well-rested.
“It’s so good to see you,” I say, meaning every word. “What are your plans now?”
Eli looks over my shoulder at Ace, who answers for him. “Eli’s gonna prospect for us. We were looking for someone to help out with tech. So he’s gonna work with us as tech support while he finishes college.”
I look between them, pride and gratitude swelling inside me. “That’s amazing, Eli, thank you, Ace.”
I chat briefly with Eli before the guys whisk me away to speak with all the guests who are wishing me a happy birthday. “There are a couple of very important people we’d like you to meet,” Cash says, steering me toward an elderly couple that lots of people have been approaching to speak to.
They look up at us with kind, friendly smiles as we approach. “Naomi, this is Bill and Pam Forester. These two are responsible for raising us into the men we are today,” Ace says, proudly introducing us. “Wrench used to be our Prez until he and his old lady flew south to retire.”
Wrench gives a broad grin.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” I gush at the same time as Pam says the same thing. We laugh, and they stand to embrace the guys and me.
“We’ve heard so much about you. You’re every bit as pretty as they said,” Pam says, making me blush.
“You must be some lady if you can handle these three troublemakers,” Wrench says, though it’s clear how proud he is of the guys.
We chat amicably, and it feels incredible.
I didn’t realize how much I missed that parental presence.
After losing my parents, followed quickly by our last living grandparent, we lost that calm, nurturing, wise, older presence from our lives.
As we make promises to visit them in Florida and they fuss over me like an adopted child in their family, I feel warm and fuzzy.
The night passes by in a blur, and after a few drinks and lots of dancing, I feel like this is the best night of my life.
I’m dancing with my men, laughing and smiling, so lost in the moment that I don’t initially notice that the music has stopped.
When I do, I realize that everyone has formed a circle around us, and my men are standing before me, Gage in the middle.
My heart leaps into my throat and pounds in my chest as Gage takes my left hand and drops down to one knee.
“Naomi, there’s one last thing I wanted to ask you today, in front of everyone we care about.”
It feels surreal, as if this moment can’t be happening. Like I’ve stepped into a fairytale. This kind of thing doesn’t happen, not to girls like me. I’m not the princess who gets the happy ending.
Gage produces a ring box from his pocket. Cash and Ace are smiling encouragingly. They’ve clearly planned this together. Eli and the guys’ foster parents watch with proud grins. I glance at the ring as he opens the box. It’s gorgeous and unique, with three different colored precious stones.
“Naomi, will you marry me?”
I glance at Ace and Cash, making sure I’m right in thinking this is preplanned and approved by them, that they want this for us all, too. They smile and nod silently, letting me know the answer.
“Yes!” I cry.
He places the ring on my finger and stands, kissing me as Ace and Cash move to embrace me too. I look down at the ring, admiring it on my finger, how perfectly it fits.
“One stone to symbolize each of us,” Gage explains. “We’ll be legally married, but the guys will marry you too in a private ceremony on the same day.”
“If that’s what you want,” Cash interjects quickly.
“Of course it is!” Relief crosses their faces, and I smile and kiss them each in turn.
“I love you, of course, I want to marry all of you and spend the rest of our lives together.” They each echo their love for me, and my heart swells with their words.
“You know, I think you’ve done it, you’ve given me the best birthday and the best day of my life,” I say blissfully.
“The day isn’t over yet, we’ve still got to fulfill those promises of more mind-blowing orgasms,” Ace promises, his eyes dark with desire, and my toes curl at the prospect of what’s going to happen when we get home.
“Mmm, that’s true. So it’s going to be even better. You’re going to have a tough act to follow, if you want to give me a better birthday,’ I tease lightly.
“Luckily, we’ve got every birthday for the rest of your life to try,” Gage says happily, kissing me deeply.
“And every day in between to show you how much we love you,” Cash adds.
“Ours,” Ace growls.
“Mine,” I reply, looking at them all.
We belong to each other, and though our relationship might not always be perfect and it sure as hell isn’t conventional, it is ours, and it works for us. I know that whatever the future holds, we’ll get through it and come out stronger as a family.
THE END
Hope you enjoyed the book!
The next book in the "Never Just One" Series is
Triplets for the Rival MC