Chapter 17
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
ASPEN
“Ilike seeing you happy, Asp,” Calloway says as he walks into the kitchen.
I’ve had a smile on my face more often than not these days. I mean, I am not perfect by any means, but I am getting there.
“I am happy,” I tell him as he moves closer.
“How are the nightmares? Still having panic attacks?” he asks.
I nod. “Not as often, but they do come. I don’t think that will stop for a while yet, but it isn’t as debilitating anymore. It helps that when I can’t seek out Asher, I know he is at the front gate.”
He laughs. “I don’t do that for you, you know. That’s one of the shit jobs we give all prospects.”
“Well, it keeps him close, which makes me feel safe, so thank you, big bro.” I hug him.
He hugs me back before ruffling my hair.
“Hey!” I jump back. “I just got it looking good.” I glare at him.
“I don’t think Asher will care if it’s a little messy. Are you ready for your first true family day?” he asks.
I have visited him in the past, but he was trying to keep me out of club things. He had Rain keep me occupied at her house. I never even truly stayed in the clubhouse because he wanted to protect me.
That’s not the case anymore. I am part of this community now. He is no longer stopping it and embraces me instead.
It feels good.
“I am. I pulled the mac and cheese out for Kim. Now I am finishing up the last touches on the cupcakes. Do you think everyone will like them?” I ask, biting my lower lip.
It’s the first time I’ve done something by myself for someone else. It’s nothing fancy. Just some cupcakes with icing from a recipe I found online. I decorated them with sprinkles to make them look festive.
When I was decorating them, I almost felt like a little girl again. Like it was a core memory I never got to experience, but now I do.
“They are going to love them. Now get out of here and go enjoy family day. Kim and Lisa will get all of this outside when it’s time.” He grabs my shoulder, pushing me toward the door.
“Fine. I will see you out there later then.”
I move through the clubhouse until I’m out the back door. Then I take in the sight.
We have had barbecues here with the guys and some of the girls a few times, but today is different.
All the club members are here with their families.
There are several small children running around with water guns, while a group of teens are by the tree line.
I smile when I see them inch more and more into the trees.
The adults are just as rambunctious as the children. Many of the brothers are chasing around after the kids with their own water guns, while the others are playing different forms of yard games.
It feels like something I have always wanted but have been missing.
Family.
I spot Asher talking with Ridge and an older man, so I head that way. I have to dodge a few kids along the way, but it only has my smile growing. When I get to their side, I slide into Asher’s lap like I belong.
“Hey, baby,” Asher whispers, kissing me softly before turning his attention back to the other man. “This is the girl I was telling you about, Mustang.”
As I look at him closer, my eyes tear. I know this man. I have stayed with him at his home many times.
Mustang is Rain’s father, but he doesn’t look like the strong man I once knew. No, he has withered away to nothing but skin and bones.
“Mustang, it is great to see you again,” I tell him.
He gives me a small smile. “Aspen, dear. You stayed away for too long. I see you were able to snag yourself a prospect. You always did like breaking the rules.”
I frown. “What rule is that?”
Ridge speaks up. “Prospects aren’t allowed old ladies until they get into the club. If things were different, Asher wouldn’t even be able to look at you until he is patched in. You guys are special, though.”
I look to Asher and see the determination in his eyes.
“It was part of my conditions to join. If you were willing, I could pursue you,” he tells me.
That has my heart filling with love. I had no idea he did that. A month ago, I would have felt guilty, but now I only feel blessed. Blessed that he made me part of his conditions.
“Well, I’m glad you did.” Then I turn back to Mustang. “What can I say? I’m a rebel.”
“I’d expect no different, being Panther’s sister.”
Rain walks up then, joining the conversation.
“She is a bit of a badass, huh, Daddy? I told you she would be here permanently one day.”
He smiles at his daughter, his eyes shining. “I know, baby girl. I never doubted you. It did always feel like Aspen belonged here.”
Rain kisses the top of her father’s head. “It’s not all bad. The club is pretty great, even if some members can be a little overbearing.”
She shoots a glare at Ridge.
He pretends not to notice.
“Can you go get me a water, baby girl?” Mustang asks suddenly.
“Of course.”
As she walks away, Mustang turns to Ridge. “You still taking care of my baby girl?”
He nods. “As well as I can. You know her. She doesn’t like it.”
“She will hate you for a while, but I appreciate you taking it on. I need someone looking after her when I’m gone.”
Asher and I stay quiet, watching the exchange. It breaks my heart to know he is preparing for the end, and Rain has no idea.
“Is that why you have been keeping guys away from her?” I ask.
Ridge turns to me, sadness in his face. “It is. I’m trying to let her live her life, but it’s getting harder.”
“I’m thankful for your sacrifice. You make sure she goes to a good man. One like you. Don’t let her settle for less,” Mustang tells him.
I see a flash in his eyes. Something that tells me he might have an idea of who he wants Rain to end up with, and it’s not some other guy. It’s one right here in this circle.
She heads back, so I change the subject.
“The carnival is going to be great. We have a lot of interest already on social media. I can’t wait to help the community,” I tell them.
“Oh, look at her bragging. Did she tell you she got the biggest country radio station to host a tele-a-thon on the Friday of the carnival to raise money for the charity?”
My cheeks pinken. “Did you tell them that your social media campaign took off and went viral?”
She glares at me, hating the attention as much as I do, but what is good for the goose is good for the gander. I fight fire with fire.
“On that note, I am going to talk to the girls. Want to come?” she asks me.
I turn, giving Asher another kiss before I stand. He is reluctant to let me go, which makes me feel all giddy inside.
“I’ll come by and see you later, Mustang,” I promise.
“Be sure you do, Aspen. It’s really good seeing you again.”
“Likewise.”
As I walk away, I realize how fragile life really is. A few years ago, that man was as strong as an ox and could hang with the best. Seeing him look tired and frail has shaken me.
If time is limited, I don’t want to waste any more.
I want to live my life.
ASHER
Today has been a dream. I got to spend all day with Aspen. Sure, she would run off with the girls here and there, but she always found her way back to me. It is like I am her home beacon, and she cannot stay away for long.
Like now, she is cuddled in my lap around the fire.
The sun has gone down, and all the families have left, leaving only the men and couples with no children behind.
The party atmosphere has changed. Liquor is flowing more freely while the music is less country and more club.
There are women dancing around, but I don’t notice them. All I see is her.
Yak has been yapping away next to me for the past hour, but Aspen doesn’t seem to mind.
I like that she laughs at his stupid jokes.
It makes me like the man more. It helps that he calls her mine every chance he gets.
He likes to make her squirm a bit. Even though I have told her how I feel, I don’t think she believes it yet.
Having him reiterate it only helps my case.
“Yak, can you run a plate down to the gate? Trout is pouting that he missed the best bits,” Panther asks.
“Of course. Be right back. Can’t have Trout getting hangry.”
As he leaves, Aspen turns to me. “I’ve been meaning to ask you. Yak seems to think he is your best friend. Is that true?”
I look over at the man doing some horrid dance moves as he moves around the makeshift dance floor to the food table.
“I haven’t known him that long, but yeah. I think so. He is a good man, even if he annoys me. Never tell him I said that, though. His ego would get inflated if he knew I considered him my best friend,” I admit.
She laughs. “Men are weird. I’m going to get a drink. Want anything?”
I shake my head. “You want me to go?”
“No way. I need to stretch my legs a bit.”
As she stands, I watch her stretch, my eyes falling to her ass. She is the definition of perfect, and she is all mine.
When she walks away, my eyes trace her steps until she has her drink and is with the group of girls once more.
“I talked to her earlier. She says she is still having nightmares,” Panther says now that it’s just the two of us.
“Yeah, when I’m not on the gate, I listen for her so I can calm her. She seems to be getting better, though. They don’t last as long as they used to,” I tell him.
He remembers those first few weeks. We both would camp outside of her room, hating that neither of us could help her. We tried waking her once, but she only got angry at us. Those were some dark days.
They are behind us now.
“I’m glad to hear it. She seems happy now. Healthy even,” he comments.
“I think so too. I’m doing my damndest to keep it that way. I only ever want to see a smile on her face,” I tell him.
“I know that. So do the rest of the guys. You’ve been a real asset. I know we all had concerns about your former badge-wearing days, but you have shown loyalty to the club so far. Keep it up, and we will have a place for you here permanently.”
The words make me feel a sense of pride I haven’t felt in a long time. I nod at him, appreciative of the gesture he is giving me.
He is basically saying don’t fuck up, and this place can be my home. I want that more than anything.
“You know that once I do, I am making her my old lady.”
He laughs. “Yeah. I am well aware that she is the driving force behind all of this, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you treat her and the club right.”
“I will. Always.”
“You know, I’m surprised your sister isn’t here today,” Panther says.
“I wasn’t sure I wanted her here. It’s no slight to the club, but I have always tried to keep her away from the more dangerous parts of my life. The club might do good, but there is still danger.”
He stands, coming to lay his hand on my shoulder.
“Danger is around the corner, no matter what you do with your life. She deserves to have some of this too. It’s your decision, though. Think about it.”
With that, he leaves me. I sit there for a few minutes before I get up and make my way to Aspen. She is still talking with the girls, but I push in behind her, pulling her back to my front as I press a kiss to her neck. She lets out a little breath, but otherwise continues her conversation.
I love this, that I can bring my sister here and have her be part of my life while also having Aspen in my bed.
This is everything I ever dreamed of.
“You good?” Aspen asks me quietly.
“Better than. I missed you, is all.”
She smiles at me, pressing a kiss to my lips. “I’ve been gone less than twenty minutes.”
I pretend to pout into her neck. “Twenty minutes too long.”
“You are such a goner for her,” Rain says. “Stage five clinger.”
Aspen turns and smiles at her. “I like it. I cling to him as much as he clings to me.”
The admission has me hiding my smile against her skin.
“Honestly, if I could, I would tie myself around him and never let him go,” she admits, her cheeks turning pink.
I like the sound of that. I wish I could do that too. We would never be apart.
Pulling away from her neck, I turn her face to mine and press a kiss to her lips.
“Ditto, baby.”
I don’t even care if the guys make fun of me for being lost to this girl. I am happy to be.
She has quickly become my everything, and I am never letting her go.