CHAPTER FIVE #2
I turn and pull into the parking lot of the clubhouse.
I see we aren’t the first ones here, as numerous pickups and bikes are here.
I park and get ready to get out, and I can hear Kimbra taking a deep breath.
I know everyone is going to love her if they haven’t met her yet, but I know that saying that till I’m blue in the face won’t change her nerves.
The kids are all piling out of the SUV when Mike and Tripp ride in on their Harleys.
I’m at the back of the Denali, grabbing the trays of stuff Kimbra made, when both Tripp and Mike wander over.
Mike greets us with a grin and a chin lift.
“I see you’ve brought us some tasty treats, Doc.
” I don’t pay attention to Kimbra’s response because I see Bentley tilting his head like he’s studying them.
Before I can ask him what he’s thinking, Bentley asks Tripp, “Do you not smile because you’re afraid you’re gonna get bugs in your teeth?
” Mike and I both burst out laughing. Kimbra’s biting her lip, trying to hold in her laugh.
Tripp smiles and looks down at Bentley. “You got it. They call it RBF or resting biker face. It’s so I don’t swallow bugs.
I know they’re high in protein, but I don’t like them, just like I don’t like tomatoes.
” Tripp doesn’t know it, but he just made a friend for life.
Bentley starts peppering him with questions.
Tripp is a good sport and answers every one of them and even offers to show him his bike.
Tripp gives me a chin lift, so I know he’s got Bentley.
“Let’s take this stuff inside, Doc, and we can find everyone else.
” Bailey is holding Kimbra’s hand, and Branson is following behind.
As soon as we walk inside, we’re greeted by Anna, who happened to be walking by.
She bends down to greet Bailey. “Well, what do we have here?” Bailey sticks her hand out to shake Anna’s.
“I’m Bailey. I’m almost six years old. Are there any kids here to play with?
” Anna gives her a smile. “Well, you’re the only almost six-year-old, but my granddaughter, Daisy, is three and a half, and she’s here.
There are also some babies and a couple two-year-olds.
” Anna stands back up and points across the main room.
“She’s playing over there if you want to go see what she’s doing.
” Bailey looks up at Kimbra. “Mommy, can I?” Kimbra nods, and before she can say anything, Bailey runs off to the other side of the room.
Anna loops her arms with Kimbra and looks back at me.
“You know where that stuff goes. I’m gonna take her to the kitchen and make the introductions.
You boys go do what boys do.” Kimbra looks back and smiles at me as she’s led into the wolf’s lair.
Branson’s standing next to me and looks over at me, appearing a little concerned.
“If I go in there with her, I’m gonna get my cheeks pinched so much they bruise, aren’t I?
” I set the trays down on the table they always serve everything on, knowing one of the women will come out and arrange it like they want it.
“You don’t need to go in there ‘cause you’re not wrong about the cheek-pinching thing.
Come with me and meet some more of the club.
You know a couple of them like baseball and might be happy to talk to you about it”.
I can tell that piques his interest a little, and it’s a better option than going into the kitchen.
Over at the tables, I see Jackson, Wyatt, Logan, Asher, Rory, Micah, Jonah, Jameson, and Grant.
Jonah’s the first to notice us walking over.
“So, who do we have here?” I give him a chin lift in greeting.
“This is Branson. He’s Kimbra’s oldest and a pretty damn good shortstop and pitcher.
” Wyatt, Logan, and Jameson all perk up.
Wyatt speaks up, “Are you in Little League? My boys never really got into it, and it’s a phenomenal game.
Luckily, Logan here enjoys watching it with me.
Jameson here used to be really into it in school.
” I look over and see a starstruck preteen looking over at Jameson.
“Are you the Jameson that threw a no-hitter against Morris High School?” Jameson looks at Branson in surprise.
“Yeah, that was me. How do you know about that?” Branson sits down and starts talking to Jameson, and I think he just found his favorite brother.
Mike walks up and hands me a beer. “Seems like they’re all settling in nicely and finding people to talk with.
” He continues, but at a volume that only I can hear.
“You've been over at her place a lot lately, brother. Things getting serious between you two?” I look at the person who’s known me since I was a scrawny seventeen-year-old.
The man who made me an uncle and who I watched sacrifice so much to be able to spend time with his daughter since my sister was the devil incarnate.
He knew me through my whole relationship with Sarah and was there to support me after she died.
We’ve been through being “retired” by the club we thought we’d pledged our lives to and were welcomed into this family side by side.
I know he’s just looking out for me, so I’m not mad at his questioning, but I want him to get just how serious I am.
“It is serious. It’s serious, and I think I feel more for her than I did for Sarah.
” His eyebrows go sky-high. “Seriously? I remember you being pretty damn serious about Sarah. You two were solid.” He’s not wrong.
“We were, but we were also young. I’m not trying to diminish what she and I shared, but I think, being older, I can appreciate Kimbra more and get to know her on a deeper level.
I think she’s it for me, brother.” He sighs.
“She comes with a lot of baggage, brother. A lot of young baggage. That little girl has to be what, four or five?” I move my hands to my hips without thinking.
“She’s almost six. I know she comes with…
complications. Maybe my life needs that because from where I’m standing, I want all of what she’s got.
Every last complication.” He studies me for a minute, then must see whatever he’s looking for in my face.
“Alright then. Guess I better get to knowin’ this gal who’s stolen my best friend’s heart.
” He smacks me on the back and goes to take his youngest grandbaby from Jon.
One thing about Mike is when he’s got his answer, the conversation is over, and the topic needs no more discussion.
Guess that means he’s accepting Kimbra as mine.
He’s the one whose opinion matters the most to me.
We’ve all been shooting the shit for a good couple of hours, and I look over the room.
Bailey is sitting at a kid’s table with Daisy, both wearing tiaras and having a tea party with their dolls.
She’s been occupied since the moment we got here.
Bentley came in about an hour ago and was super excited because both Tripp and Max let him look over their bikes and ask them a million-and-one questions.
He’s now hanging out with Juan and Samson in their office, putting together a computer. We may never get him out of here.
Branson is currently outside helping the guys get the wood together for the bonfire later.
He’s trying to act cool, but you can tell he’s having a blast hanging out with the guys like a grown-up.
Kimbra’s come out a couple of times and brought me a beer once, but by the sounds of the laughter coming from the kitchen, the women are having a good time.
Linnea comes out and calls a couple of her boys over to help her, and that tells me it’s almost time to eat.
I get up and go over to where Bailey is sitting.
“It’s almost time to eat, princess. Are you going to be able to take a break from your dolls?
” I feel someone come up behind me, and I look over and see it’s Mayson.
“How about you come and sit next to Daisy so you can eat together, and when you’re done, you can come back and play?
” Bailey agrees, and Mayson just smiles at me.
“I’m still learning this dad thing every day.
You learn where you can and ask for help when you have no fucking clue.
” He walks back over to his dads and brother.
I’m sure Branson will follow the guys in for food when they’re called, so I go in search of Bentley.
I walk down the hall to the tech room. When I open it, I’m surprised to see not only Samson and Juan in the room with Bentley, but Ry and Logan are in here, too.
They’re knee-deep in computer shit that I won’t even pretend to understand.
Logan looks up and gives me a chin lift.
“Just came to let you guys know it’s looking like food’s about to be up.
” Juan speaks up. “We’ll all come out in just a second.
Ma would not be okay with us staying in here while food is bein’ served.
” Always good to see a grown man still scared of his mama.