Six
Avianna
Hailey sits back in her chair, rubbing her stomach. “You have nothing to worry about; you've got this girl. And if anything, you can always call me. I will be happy to walk you through any problems you have.”
After I told her all about the kiss between Hawk and me, we got down to work. The guys had lunch delivered to us, and I felt right at ease with Hailey. “Thank you, Hailey, for everything.”
“You're welcome. Since Blade wants me to just sit and relax this last stretch of pregnancy, I will have nothing but time. So, do you have any idea what Hawk is surprising you with tonight?” She wiggles her eyebrows up and down, making me laugh.
I sit back and groan. “Honestly, I have no idea. He truly doesn’t have to do anything; he’s done enough for me already.”
Hailey shakes her head and laughs. “This is nothing, I swear these MC men move at the speed of light. They don’t do anything half assed that’s for sure. You're in for a ride. But you’ve got to love them for it. Blade took one look at me and declared me his. Heck,
he bought me a car the first Christmas I was in town. I see the way Hawk looks at you; it's the same way Blade looks at me. Like the world begins and ends with you. If it’s something you truly want, then don’t be scared to go after it. When you know, you know.”
I sober up at her words. The way I feel for Hawk in such a short amount of time should scare me, but it doesn’t, and I want to see where this goes. I think I will regret it if I don’t. “You're right, they do move fast, that's for sure. Hawk already moved me into his bedroom.”
Hailey laughs with me as a voice scares the absolute shit out of us. “Hey short stack and little munchkin, what’s got you girls laughing so hard?”
I place my hand on my racing heart. Hailey filled me in on Joker and the nicknames he likes to give all the ladies. I’m not going to lie, I feel a little choked up that he’s including me in this.
Hailey gives him a nasty look while Joker leans against the wall with his arms folded, with nothing but mischief in his eyes. “Must you always do that, BFG?”
His smile gets wider as he looks at us. “Yes. Yes, I do. It brings me so much joy.”
“Hey Joker. What’s the difference between a clown and a tall person?”
“Well, I don't know, little munchkin, why don’t you tell me.” I can see the pride in his eyes that I’m engaging with him.
“Their shoe store.” Hailey cracks up as Joker narrows his eyes at me. Honestly, I know it was a childish joke, but I love this banter. I can see why all the ladies consider him a brother.
“All of you don’t appreciate me. I am too tall for this small talk.” He cracks up at his own joke, making me laugh. Today has been an amazing day. Everyone has made me feel so welcome. Just then Hawk and Blade walk into the office, and Hawk looks right at me with a smile on his face.
Joker pouts, looking ridiculous for a man of his size. “Hawk, your woman is mean just like the rest of the ole ladies.”
Hawk laughs as he continues to give me this look that I don’t understand.
It’s as if he’s seeing everything I can’t say out loud.
Heck, I don’t even really know everything I’m feeling.
It’s all so new and terrifying at the same time.
What if he decides that once everything with my uncle is over, he doesn’t want me anymore, that I’m not what he wants?
Just the thought of that hurts me to my core.
I never thought I would be with someone, let alone a man like Hawk.
Hawk looks over at Joker and lifts his chin. “Yeah, well, if you didn’t piss off all the ladies in your life, they wouldn’t be mean.”
“Whatever, I’m going to see my wife; at least she appreciates me.” With that, Joker turns to me, winks, and walks out the door, whistling.
“I swear Madison banned him from the bakery yesterday.” Hailey says as she stands up and Blade pulls her into his arms, rubbing her stomach.
“Does she really ban him from the bakery?” I asked, looking at all of them.
Hailey laughs and shakes her head. “Yup, at least at first she did because Joker was, well, Joker, and now it’s just a running joke at this point. We were all convinced she was going to put Ex-lax in his cupcakes. Joker is the big brother we ladies never had, and now you're included in that as well.
”
My heart warms ?at the thought. All these people may not be blood-related, but treat each other as family, and for them to include me truly warms my heart.
I smile a genuine one, feeling nothing but happiness despite what is going on in my life right now. “I’ve always wanted a sibling.”
Hailey walks forward and pulls me into a hug. I hold on tightly, trying to fight my tears from falling. “You have more than a brother now; you have a family, and we all take care of each other.”
“Thank you, Hailey, for everything.” I whisper as a tear falls.
She pulls back and winks at me. “You're welcome, girl. The other ole ladies and I are going to have a movie night on the weekend before this little one gets here. I will text you the details. Nothing too crazy, but we will have lots of food and drinks, and we expect you to be there.
You're one of us now.”
I don’t even remember when I actually had friends, and these ladies are genuine, that's for sure.
They hardly know me, but are opening their arms to me.
“I will be there. Let me know if I can bring anything.”
An idea forms in my head. I think I want to make some baskets for the women, especially the ones who are expecting. A pamper basket just for them.
Hawk puts his hand on the small of my back, and I look up at him. “Are you ready to go, darlin?”
“Yeah, I’m ready. Thank you again, Hailey, for everything. I will see you guys tomorrow.” I wave as Hawk takes my hand and leads me outside towards his bike. The sun is starting to set, painting a pretty picture in the sky.
Hawk helps me into my helmet. “Did you have a good day, darlin?”
“It was the first time in a long while that I felt true happiness. I finally feel like I belong somewhere despite what’s happening in my life right now; it just feels right.”
Hawk steps forward, lifting my chin. “That makes me so fucking happy, darlin. You should only feel happiness, and I will make sure of that.”
He leans down and places a quick kiss on my lips, making me feel weak.
Pulling back, he smiles at me. “Come on, ass on the bike, I have a surprise at home for you.”
I laugh as he helps me onto the bike and gets on in front and pulls out of the parking lot.
As I wrap myself around him, you couldn’t take the smile off my face right now.
The wind whips around me as I lean my chin on Hawk’s shoulder and close my eyes, just basking in what a 360 my life has done in such a short amount of time.
It all still feels like a dream that I’m going to wake up from.
It takes no time for Hawk to pull into the compound and drive to the back of the property towards his house.
He kills the engine and helps me off the bike.
I pull my helmet off and shake out my hair. I look up to see him watching me.
I start to get self-conscious with how hard he’s looking at me. “Is there something on my face?”
He smiles at me and pushes a piece of hair behind my ear. “Naw darlin, you’re beautiful, and I’m just the lucky fucker who gets to have you.”
His words hit me, making me choke up. He is the first person who’s ever told me how beautiful I am, and every time he says it, it hits me hard.
My uncle sure never said it; he would tell me how ugly I was.
I think the last time was when my parents were alive.
“Hawk.” I whisper his name, at a loss for words.
He lifts my hand, kissing my knuckles. “I know. Come, I have my surprise for you.”
I smile at him as he helps me up the stairs and unlocks the door. “You know you don’t have to do anything, right?” I feel like I have to keep repeating it because it still seems surreal that this is my life now. Someone who actually cares about me.
He gives me a look like I’m crazy, making me laugh. “It’s my job to spoil you, so get used to it.” His gruff words make me smile.
We walk inside and I can see the lights are dim as he holds my hand and leads me into the dining room, and the sight before me makes me gasp, covering my mouth.
The lights are turned down to a soft glow, giving it a romantic feel, with the table set with a white tablecloth and flowers dominating the center of the table.
This time I don’t hold back the tear that slips out.
“I figured for our first date we would have an intimate dinner at home so that way we won’t get interrupted. I promise we will go out on the next one.” He sounds unsure, making me turn around to look at him.
I can’t help it. I throw my arms around him, pulling him to me.
“No, Hawk, this is perfect. I’ve never had anyone do something like this for me. I love it.”
He wraps his arms around me, and I can feel him kissing the top of my head as I sink into his hug.
Feeling safe and, dare I say, loved in his arms.
He holds me for a little while and then pulls back, smiling down at me. “I’m glad, darlin. Dinner is ready.” He leads me to my chair, pulling it out, and once I’m sitting down, pushes it in.
I swear this man has thought of everything. I watch as he walks back into the kitchen and comes out with two plates in his hand, setting mine down in front of me. It’s loaded with steak, a loaded baked potato, and grilled veggies. The smell has my mouth watering.
He puts two beers down as he sits down beside me. “Hawk, this looks amazing. Did you cook this?” I’m not used to such treatment. I don’t even remember the last time I had a steak, let alone someone cooking for me.
He nods his head, taking a sip of his beer. “I did. I started planning this when I woke up this morning. You deserve everything Avianna and I plan to show you how you should be treated. This is just the beginning, darlin.” He winks at me as he digs into his food, and I do the same.
The first bite of steak has my eyes closing at the taste. I will give it to Hawk; he can cook.
I look at him to see him watching me. “Eat up, I have one more surprise for you when we are done.” He smirks and goes back to eating.
Good lord, this man was busy while I was at work.