Chapter 43
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
MOJAVE
Rachel was seething when she came back out of the house.
So was I, though I was trying to mask it for Frankie’s sake.
She was still too quiet, unsure of herself.
It took everything in me not to march back into that house and demand that woman apologize for making her feel like her opinions didn’t matter.
When she paused outside the driver’s door, I watched as Rachel took a deep breath, centering herself before she slipped into the car.
It was enviable, how easily she did that.
It still took me way too damn long to settle myself when I was feeling out of control.
She closed the door behind her, her voice filled with forced cheer when she said, “Who wants ice cream?”
That got Frankie’s attention, her head lifting as she looked at Rachel with a frown. “But we haven’t eaten dinner yet.”
Twisting in her seat, Rachel gave her a smile. “I’m feeling like dessert before dinner tonight. Are you in?”
Like magic, the apprehension in Frankie’s face disappeared and she beamed brightly. “Really? Yes! Can I get extra sprinkles?”
“Of course you can,” Rachel agreed with a nod. “I think I want chocolate syrup this time. Mojave?”
She looked at me, and I could see the underlying tension in her expression, but she was trying and I didn’t want to ruin her efforts by staying pissed off. I drew in a deep breath and nodded. “Ice cream sounds good.”
During the drive, I tried not to let the words of Rachel’s mother swirl around in my head.
Not good parenting… Wouldn’t expect you to know…
She made it sound like I was doing wrong by Frankie, and the uneasy part of me wondered if she was right.
But this was only temporary. Surely a few months wouldn’t be too bad?
Frankie’s parents would know better once they took all those classes and worked with Rachel on doing more for Frankie.
My eyes were blind to my surroundings as I considered if maybe Rachel’s mom was right about the whole eating thing.
It didn’t sound right, and I would pitch a fit if someone told me to finish a whole plate of something I didn't want just to appear grateful.
Why would it be any different for Frankie?
The door opening as Frankie tried to get out of the car snapped me back to reality. I snatched her and pulled her back, the door clicking shut just as a truck rumbled by. If she would’ve shot out of the car like she normally did, she would’ve gotten hit.
My heart hammered in my chest and I just barely managed to keep the fear out of my voice when I told her, “Always get out on the sidewalk side. It’s safer.”
I didn't want to scare her by telling her why, nor did I want her to feel bad for the near miss. She was a kid. She didn't know any better. It was my job to protect her.
Rachel blew out a breath and nodded. “He’s right, sweetie. Wait for Mojave to get out and go out his door. It’s safer. I hate street parking. I always have to use this little mirror here to make sure I can get out safely before opening my door.”
She pointed out the side mirror to Frankie, who looked curious, not scared. The little girl shrugged and nodded, then pushed impatiently against my shoulder. “Come on! I want to get a waffle cone!”
I allowed her to move me, sliding out of the car and taking her hand when she hopped out so she wouldn’t skip away again.
I was too worked up to let her walk around alone without holding hands.
I didn't relax until we were in the shop and in the corner booth that was becoming our spot whenever we came here, ice creams in front of us and Frankie tucked safely between me and Rachel. Maybe I needed to watch the guys more with their kids, see if there was something I was doing wrong. Just because I was a better option than Frankie’s parents didn’t mean I was the best. If I wanted to take care of her, I needed to learn from the guys who had real experience.
The clubhouse was busy the following afternoon.
I’d texted Prez, asking him when the kids would be at the clubhouse next so Frankie could play and I could get a better idea of how best to care for her, and he said they’d all be there after school.
I didn’t realize just how many ‘all’ meant until we arrived.
Rachel’s eyebrows shot up and she huffed out a surprised laugh when she asked, “Are they having a pool party?”
Several brothers were in little wading pools with babies in their laps, while off on the grass was a giant waterslide that was almost as tall as the clubhouse itself.
My mouth fell open in shock. Prez mentioned they were doing something fun for the kids, and to bring Frankie’s bathing suit, but I hadn’t expected something like this.
A loud squeal from the back seat made me flinch, Frankie leaning between our seats where she’d already unbuckled to see better. “Is that a water slide? Can I play? Will you come with me? I want to try!”
“Sweetie, sit back and stay buckled until the car is parked,” Rachel chided gently. “Of course, you can play. That’s why Mojave brought us. But first, we need to park the car and–”
“Look! Look! I know that boy! That’s Malcolm! He’s one of the boys I play with at recess!”
Surprised, I glanced toward where she was pointing excitedly at Flash, one of Butch’s kids.
I wasn’t sure how old he was, older than Frankie I was pretty sure, but she’d said it was a group of older kids who’d invited her to play.
If he was the one who’d been letting her join in, then it made more sense to me.
Butch raised his kids right. He probably taught them to be nice when they noticed someone playing alone.
Rachel parked alongside several trucks that belonged to guys in the crew.
Thankfully, unlike yesterday, Frankie waited and looked before flying out of the car.
I didn’t move fast enough to stop her from sprinting across the parking lot, which wasn’t safe, but luckily, the guys were used to kids around and the gate had closed behind us, preventing any cars from speeding in and hurting her.
I still frowned as I got out and waited for Rachel to join me, my eyes flicking around to all the potential dangers for Frankie.
“I know that look,” Vegas said from where he was sitting in a paddling pool under an umbrella, his daughter chewing on a toy in his lap. “Believe me, man. We’ve scoured the place for potential dangers for the kids. It’s safe.”
I grunted, but didn’t reply, still scanning the outdoor space surrounding the clubhouse.
It’d been cleaned up in the past few years and grown a bit to include more space for the kids.
The back was set up for dirt bikes, and the picnic tables and grill had all been moved to the left side of the building where the grass space was big enough for shit like this, apparently.
Frankie raced back over, bouncing like a little chihuahua and pulling on my arm.
“Can we play? Please? Pleeeaaase!”
Rachel snickered, freeing my arm and taking Frankie’s hand. “That’s why we’re here, sweetie. Let’s go inside and ask where you can change. Give Mojave a minute.”
“Okay! Come on!” She turned her full attention onto Rachel, tugging her and pulling her toward the clubhouse, so excited she looked ready to vibrate out of her own skin.
It was a relief to see her so happy. She’d been a little quiet after meeting Rachel’s parents, more clingy. I was glad she was feeling better.
“You gonna join in?” Vegas asked curiously. “If you’re not up for it, Rooster and Circus have it covered. They’re playing with the bigger kids.”
He gestured to the inflatable waterslide that seemed to sway as people scrambled through the obstacles to the ladder they had to climb before sliding down.
Sure enough, Rooster’s head popped up over the side of the slide, eyes scanning before he pointed and shouted. “I see you, Flash! Get back here!”
Flash was cackling as he ran alongside the slide toward the end where he snagged something and hid, waiting for Rooster to come around before beaning him in the face with a waterballoon.
The shriek Rooster made had me jerking my head back and Butch, who was in another pool nearby with his youngest, snickered. “The balloons are stored in a cooler of ice water,” he explained with a mischievous grin. “I brought that myself.”
Horrified by the thought of getting hit with something like that, I whipped my head to look at Vegas, who waved my concern away.
“They’re only allowed one water balloon at a time.
They gotta do the course first before they can grab another one.
And no one is allowed to aim at the littles or anyone who isn’t part of that particular game.
” He pointed at a spot on his arm, then gestured toward Rooster again, who was trying to scramble to grab his own balloon while Flash was already disappearing into the course.
“He’s got a bandana around his arm to say he’s playing.
All the kids who are playing have one. If they don’t, they can’t get hit.
” He gave me a reassuring look. “If Frankie doesn’t want to play, she doesn’t have to.
Zoey isn’t playing. Neither is Ellie. They’re just going down the slide with Circus. ”
I was still considering it when Rachel and Frankie came back outside, Frankie in her bathing suit and tugging on Rachel’s hand to drag her closer.
Rachel smiled at her indulgently, finally letting her go when she got too excited and tried to rush off.
Frankie only stopped when she was a few steps past me, the first signs of insecurity on her face.
She glanced back at me hopefully. “Can you come with me?”
I fought back a grimace. Chaos like this really wasn’t my thing. I thought I’d just watch. But that look on her face, so hopeful with just a hint of uncertainty, made me waver.
Crunching footsteps drew my focus to Killian, who held out a bag with a smirk on his face. “I thought you’d need this when I heard you were coming. When you need a break, meet me inside. I’m introducing Summer to the crew.”
Looking into the bag, I frowned at the swim trunks and sunscreen, then back at him. “I don’t own a bathing suit.”
“I know. It’s one of mine. We’re nearly the same size and I figured Frankie would ask you to play.” He raised an eyebrow at Rachel. “Not getting in?”
“No,” Rachel laughed. “I’m nowhere near athletic enough for that.
A few women invited me to join them over there.
” She waved at where some of the old ladies were hanging out at the picnic table, under the shade of a makeshift awning.
The yard needed to be put together better if they were going to hang out here all the time.
“Please?” Frankie asked with big eyes when I hesitated.
I sighed, resigned. “I’ll go change.”
It’d be fine. I was sure after a round or two, Frankie would lose the apprehension and I could let her play with the other kids. One or two rounds was doable. Maybe.