CHAPTER FIVE #3
I’m walking back down the hall to the main room when I see Kimbra walking toward me.
The smile she gives me tells me she’s having a good time and definitely settled her nerves.
I stop in front of her and lean forward, giving her a quick peck on the lips.
“Where are ya off to, Doc?” She looks up at me.
“Well, I’m told we’re about to eat, and I haven’t seen hide or hair of my kids, and they need to eat.
” I take her hand and start to lead her back to the main room.
“Bentley’s in the IT room with some of the guys, and they’re about to come out, Bailey’s over in that far corner playing with Daisy and has already agreed to sit next to her at the table, and Branson is out getting the wood together for the bonfire with some of the guys so they’ll make sure he comes in with them.
You just get yourself a drink and enjoy the day.
Those three are a big hit with the family. ”
Kimbra
He went and checked on my kids. He knows where they’re all at.
I just…nope, I will not cry at his thoughtfulness.
I kiss him. “Thank you, Mathis. Thank you for looking out for them. I’m gonna get drinks ready for all of us.
Did you want another beer?” He smiles and shakes his head.
“Nah. I’m driving precious cargo later, so I’ll switch to soda.
” See? Freaking unicorn. I scurry off back to the kitchen.
When I walk in, there are trays being carried out and set on a long table against the wall.
Anna, who seems to have a handle on things, tells some of the guys where to set things.
She gives me a smile. “It’s organized chaos.
Once you embrace it, it doesn’t seem so crazy.
Course, we’ve got a couple bottles of wine to help that.
Want a glass?” She holds up a bottle that happens to be one of my favorites.
“Now you’re talking. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad bottle of that, even on the shittiest of days.
” Anna’s smile gets even bigger. “Linnea! She’s one of us.
” She grabs a couple of glasses and the bottle opener.
“Yeah. I think you’re going to fit in here just fine. ”
I grab a tray next to me and hand it over to the guys who are taking everything out to the main room.
I uncover the trays I brought and hand them over to Tripp, I think his name was.
He looks down and back up at me. “You brought Watergate salad? Green fluff?” I nod.
“Yeah, my kids love it. I know it’s kinda old-fashioned, but it’s one of the few things I remember my mom making.
” He smiles at me. “I haven’t had it since I was in high school.
It was the one thing my grandma always insisted on having at every get-together.
” Sounds familiar. “My mom said the same thing about her mom. I’m guessing she was a special person, just like your grandma.
Mine’s a little different because a lot of people put maraschino cherries in it, but I don’t because that’s not how she made it.
If you’re looking for them, you won’t find them in mine.
Mom said it’s how her mom always made it. ”
Jon comes in and interrupts our conversation.
“Hurry up, man. You know Ma and Anna won’t let us eat till everything is out.
” Tripp carries out the trays, and I follow Anna while I carry the glasses and she’s got the bottle of wine.
She calls out to the room, “Food’s up!” I expect to see a mad rush to the tables, but it’s pretty orderly, with Jonah, Grant, Erik, Wyatt, and Jackson getting in line first. Mike and Tripp are after them.
Ben comes up next to me. “It’s been ingrained in these guys since they were kids that their elders go first. I’m still adjusting to the fact that I’m in that group.
” I can’t even blame the wine for what comes out of my mouth next.
“Ah, the privileges of dating an old-er-older man.” Ben looks shocked, and there’s laughter all around us.
Ben gives me a smile that promises I’m going to pay for that comment later.
“Is that how it is today, Doc?” Before I can answer him, he leans forward, gives me a quick kiss, and says, just so I can hear him, “I’ll show you how much of an old man I’m not later tonight.
” He kisses me again and walks off to get his plate. A unicorn, people, I swear.
We’ve all gotten food and are in varying states of food comas.
Bailey and her new friend are watching cartoons on a beanbag, and Bent shockingly is next to them watching something else that the guys showed him on his tablet.
It was sweet they checked with me first to make sure it was alright for him to watch.
It’s some sort of engine show. My only concern is what he’s gonna want for his next birthday.
Tripp is sitting across from me, and I feel like he’s studying me.
“I’m sorry, Doc, but between what you said about the cherries and looking just like her, I gotta ask.
What’s your mom’s name?” Huh? “My mom’s name was Emma Hargrave.
Well, her maiden name was Platt.” I watch as Tripp’s eyebrows go sky-high.
“I’m pretty damn sure your mom was my aunt.
Guess that makes us cousins.” What in the?
“My mom always said she didn’t have any family.
That’s why we moved away from here after my dad was killed in action.
” Tripp shrugs his shoulders. “That was my mom’s side.
She never talked too much about them. I know her parents died before I was born.
For some reason, I get the impression that not only was there a large age gap between our moms but that I think they might have had different mothers.
I’d have to look to see when my mom’s mom died and when your mom was born, but that could definitely explain why they weren’t close.
” He rubs his beard and looks at Ben. “You’re a lucky son of a bitch, you know that?
I was gonna sweep her off her feet and away from you after I tasted her food, but now…
well, I’m not one to sleep with kin, so just count your lucky stars.
” I, along with half the room, burst out laughing at that.
I think he did it on purpose to bring some levity back into the room.
Though I’m definitely gonna try and look into the possibility that what he’s just said is true.
It’s kinda nice to hear that I might have family—even if it’s just Tripp.
Since Brady seems to have been lost permanently to his life of drugs, I don’t think I’ve realized how much I missed just having even one person I can call family, outside of my kids, that is.
I feel a squeeze on my knee, and I look over to see Ben looking at me.
He mouths, You okay ? I take his hand and nod. “I’m good.”
It’s been a great day, and I have barely seen my kids all day, with all three of them being completely entertained and occupied.
Right now, the boys are outside getting the fire going with Ben and some of the guys.
Bailey is in the kitchen with Anna and the other little girl—I want to say her name is Daisy.
They're getting all the things together to make some s’mores.
I know even with that sugar, my kids will sleep well tonight.
I refill my wine glass and head out to check out the fire.
I know my boys have never started one before because Brian insisted we have a gas fireplace that could be turned on with a switch in the house.
It’s one of the things I would love to change back.
There’s nothing like a real fire in the fireplace on a winter’s day.
I find a seat and watch as both my boys follow directions from the guys.
It looks like they’re about to light it, and I have a feeling that’s going to bring an argument between the two.
Imagine my shock when Jon comes up and tells them that Branson is going to light the fire.
They have a rule in this brotherhood that you have to be ten to start a fire.
Bentley just nods and doesn’t try to talk Jon into letting him light it.
How’d he do that? Of course, being Mom, I get all the arguments and attitudes.
Someone sits down in the chair next to me.
I look over and see it’s Mike. I look back over and watch my boys with Ben, and it warms my heart in a spot I didn’t realize was closed off till this moment.
Mike speaks up, though not loud enough for others to hear.
“My best friend seems to be head over heels for you. I’ve known him since I was a scrawny seventeen-year-old, and I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this way.
” I know he’s working up to a point or a question, so I let him continue.
“I can tell you care for him a lot, but I also notice some apprehension. Is it because he lives in this world? Because he’s a biker, or is it something else?
” I look over at Mike, and I know I need to be honest. I know he’s the one Ben is closest to and shares the most with.
“There’s no apprehension about my feelings for him.
I…I live a complicated life with my work, my kids, and having to deal with their dad and shared custody.
He lives a simple life. I’m a lot to take on for someone who’s lived so simply for so long.
” He leans forward in his chair, resting his elbow on his knee.
“You ever think he’s lived that way for so long because before now, he’d never met anyone worth living a complicated life for?
He’s my best friend and a smart man. If he’s telling you he wants to live life with you, it’s because he does.
If you don’t feel the same about him, you need to let him know and not lead him on.
If he gets more involved and you realize he’s not what you want, well, I’m not sure he would recover from that.
For what it’s worth, I think you make him happier than I’ve seen in a long time, hell, if ever.
” Well, what do I say to that? I mean, I know my feelings for him are strong.
Hell, I know I’m in love with him. Maybe Mike is right, and I need to trust that Ben knows what he’s getting into with me.
Shit, I’ve been in my head and not said anything back to Mike.
I look over, and he’s leaning back in his chair again.
He takes a sip of his beer. “Don’t have to say anything back.
Just think about what I said.” I nod and realize I don’t even have to think about things, really, because my heart has known the answer before my brain could work things out.
Ben
I don’t know what Mike said to Kimbra in their conversation, but it seems to have flipped a switch in her. It’s like something inside of her has settled. Maybe this is one of those times I don’t need to know and just enjoy the results.
I’ve currently got a sleeping Bailey in my lap.
She crashed out about half an hour ago when her sugar high from her s’mores came crashing down.
Bentley is nodding off in his chair, and even Branson looks tired.
I look over to Kimbra. “Thinking it’s time to get these kids home and to bed.
What do you think?” She smiles and nods.
“Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing. Think you’d mind coming in and going to bed with me?
” Fuck me. Suddenly, getting everyone home quickly is a priority.
Before I can attempt to stand up with a sleeping Bailey in my hands, Rory’s standing in front of me.
“I’ve learned the art of carrying a kid without waking them up.
Let me grab her, and you can handle Mister Genius over there.
” I look over at Bentley again, and he’s out like a boxer who’s been knocked out.
I think he might even be snoring. Kimbra’s telling Branson to get up and head to the SUV.
She starts grabbing the kid’s stuff, and Logan gets up and helps her take everything.
I go over and pick up Bentley. At this moment, I’m glad he’s not had a growth spurt like his brother just yet and is on the thinner side.
We get all the kids and their stuff loaded.
I say a quick goodbye and shuttle Kimbra to the SUV, cutting off her longer goodbyes.
She’s laughing, and when I open her door, she looks at me.
“In a rush to get home?” A growl comes out and I kiss her.
“You know why. Get your fine ass in the Denali, Doc. I didn’t have my dessert yet tonight.
” Her cheeks redden, and the intake of breath tells me she likes that thought a lot.
Yep, it's time to get everyone home so she and I can go to bed and I can feast on my dessert.