CHAPTER 39
Kaya
In the hours since Maverick left, the clubhouse has slowly started to fill up.
Sophia, Grayson, and the twins arrived and within minutes, so did Jackie.
Maddie and Brewster walked in about a half hour after that.
The tension has kicked up as well. It’s crazy to see because it doesn’t seem like all of the brothers are in on the reason for the lockdown.
There are a lot of confused looks and questions being asked, that so far, aren’t being answered.
A lockdown has started with no reason given, Maverick left me at the hospital and then didn’t show up until I was asleep only to take off again this morning to go on this run.
I don’t know what the hell to think. I wanted to go help Cipher in the control room, but Ace told me to just relax today.
Too bad me relaxing is actually me having time to sit around and decide that mine and Maverick’s relationship is doomed, Gretchen is never coming back, and Sophia will probably decide that her and Grayson should go be a part of the Texas chapter instead of staying here. Yes, I’m being irrational.
Ace is pacing the room while Deuce keeps checking his watch.
I’m keeping to myself just scrolling on social media while the girls are making dinner.
I tried to help and was told to go relax by all of them too.
I don’t even have Riley and Arianna to hang with because the two of them apparently got over their hatred of each other and are playing pool, while laughing and joking around.
Ugh! I stand up ready to go back to the kitchen when I hear the rumbling of bike engines. I suck in a breath as my stomach drops to my feet. My chest squeezes as I take slow steps toward the door. My normal MO is to run, to go hide and see if he might come to me, but I can’t. I need to see him.
The door pushes open and Dom enters first with Maverick right behind him.
His eyes sweep the room, stopping on me.
I see his shoulders relax the instant his eyes lock with mine.
Ace moves toward the two of them, but Maverick side steps him coming straight to me.
He stops in front of me, his large hand coming to my face. He cups my cheek and just takes me in.
“Baby,” he whispers and tears begin gathering at my lashes.
My chin quivers. I try to hold back the emotion but seeing him in front of me is making that damn near impossible. I fall against his chest, snaking my arms around his back and squeezing. He pulls me close and kisses the crown of my head.
“Are you ok?” he asks, his voice low and sincere.
I nod against him, not able to get out any words.
He pulls back and takes my face in his hands, making me look at him.
My fragile heart is ready to both break and burst at the same time, not sure where this is going to land.
I take in his deep blue eyes and wish I could climb inside them.
They are the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
I pinch my eyes shut, afraid to face him for too long.
“Hey,” he says softly. “Look at me.”
I do, blinking my eyes open and settling my gaze on his.
“I’m so sorry.” He leans in and places a kiss on my forehead. “I didn’t handle yesterday right at all.”
I nod, still not able to speak. I’m afraid if I try to talk, I’m just going to sob instead and I really don’t want to do that with the entire freaking club watching us.
“Can we talk after I go to church?”
I nod again. I haven’t even really come to terms with my feelings about yesterday yet.
I know he was going through a lot of feelings himself along with the shock of finding out I’m pregnant the way he did.
Everything happened so fast, but the fact that he left me at the hospital still hasn’t fully registered.
I went from being terrified to taken care of by him, to being abandoned.
I know in my heart that he never would have left if the girls hadn’t shown up, but the fact remains that he still left.
I finally take a deep breath and find my words. “You have to go to church now?”
“Yeah. A lot of shit going on we need to address.”
He leans down and kisses my lips. Soft, firm, and so full of love that I bring my hand up and grab a handful of his hair. There’s no tongue, just our connection, and it’s everything that I need in the moment.
Ace’s voice echoes through the room behind me. “Alright! I need the officers, and Ty, Leo, Maverick, and Dom in church. Everyone else, sit tight.”
I turn to see Riker and Rebel looking around in confusion. Leo shrugs as he gets up from the bar and walks away from them.
“What the hell, pop?” Riker asks.
“Not now, son!” Ace yells back.
Maverick runs his calloused fingers down my cheek before turning and following Dom and Deuce to church.