“Never change, Rav.” I pat the top of his head. “Never change.”
Wrath glances toward the front door. “We’re still waiting for a few guests to arrive.”
Somehow I’m not comforted by that.
Shelby
“I’m so happy you’re here!” Heidi pulls me in for a hug. “We have big news we’re sharing,” she says in a lower voice, eying her older brother on the other side of the room.
“I’m all ears.”
“We need as many people here as a buffer.” She grins. “How was the drive home…I mean here.”
“Good. We hit some traffic around Philadelphia, but nothing too bad.”
“I’m so jealous.” She reaches for Murphy’s hand, tugging him closer to us. “We should take another road trip.” She rests her free hand on her stomach. “Soon.”
Ah, suddenly, I think I know what news she plans to share.
Murphy rests his hand over hers. “Anywhere you want.”
“Aw,” I sigh. “I’m so happy to see you two. I missed ya.” I lean in and give Heidi another squeeze, then reach up to hug Murphy too.
“You can say it, we’re your favorite Lost Kings clubhouse, right?” Heidi teases.
“Yup.” I nod.
“I heard that, Heidi!” Z yells from the bar. “Stop trying to poach my old ladies.”
Heidi giggles and pulls me closer. “I meant New York, Uncle Z.”
I glance around, recognizing many faces. “Who’s the guy in the baggy jeans passing out brownies?” I ask Heidi. “I need a chocolate fix.”
“Yeah,” Murphy answers slowly. “Eat anything Sparky hands you with caution.”
“Edibles,” Heidi whispers to me.
Huh. I’ve never tried those before.
“It’s strong shit, so if you want to try ’em, don’t eat the whole thing,” Murphy warns me.
“Is it that obvious I’m a pot-brownie virgin?” I ask.
He chuckles. “No.”
“Hi, Shelby.” Hope flashes the brightest smile as she approaches carrying her daughter.
“Oh, my lil’ snugglebug,” Heidi coos to Grace. “Come here.”
Even I can’t help talking baby talk. “Aw, aren’t you just the sweetest of all the jammiest jams?”
Grace turns her head and stares at me with wide eyes. Maybe she’s too old for baby talk? I haven’t been around a lot of babies since my sister was one.
But Grace flashes a wet smile and reaches my way. Heidi passes her to me and Lordy, please don’t let me drop this kid.
Hope laughs. “I bet she recognizes your voice from hearing your music.”
“Oh, she probably does!” Heidi snaps her fingers. “I play your songs all the time around the girls.”
Dang, that’s sweet. Warmth spreads through my chest.
As far as kids go, Grace is pretty stinkin’ adorable. So sweet and calm. Big ol’ bright eyes staring at me. Soft red-gold hair curling around her chubby little cheeks. I bounce her in my arms for a minute or two before she reaches for Hope.
“Watch out, Shelby’s gonna have baby fever next,” one of the guys shouts. “Cock-a-doodle-do!”
“No, no, no, nope.” I hold my hands high in the air. “I got my sweet baby fix. I’m all good.”
Hope laughs softly. “Take your time, Shelby. You can have all the baby fixes you need whenever you’re here.”
“Thank you, Hope.” I want her to understand how sincere I am. “I…have so much I want to do. I can’t imagine having a kid on the road with me.”
“I hear you,” Hope says. “Accomplish your goals. Once you have a baby, it’s all about them.”
“Everything is a lot harder,” Heidi adds quietly. “Trust me.”
“You do it well, Heidi,” I assure her. Why is this such a touchy subject everywhere I go?
Heidi tilts her head toward Hope. “She’s the reason why I was able to do it at all. And Rock. And Murphy. My brother.” Her eyes scan the room. “I’m blessed that I had a lot of people to help us out when we needed it. Trying to finish college with a kid is no joke.”
“But you did it,” Hope reassures her. “And we’re all really proud of you.”
Trinity returns to our circle. “Aw, there’s my lil’ gremlin.” She holds her arms out for Grace. The way Grace perked up to see me is nothing compared to how she bounces and reaches for Trinity. “Come to your Auntie Trinity.”
“She’s the sweetest,” I say to Hope. “So quiet.” That’s a compliment for a little one, right?
“Not always quiet,” Heidi assures me, throwing a teasing look Hope’s way.
Lilly joins us, sharing a quick word with Hope before beaming at me. “Welcome home, Shelby.”
I’m overwhelmed with all the love in our circle. Grace is too little to realize how lucky she is to be surrounded by so many strong, loving female role models. The women of Rooster’s club really are sisters.
And they even treat me like family.
Rooster
I should probably warn Shelby not to eat anything Sparky hands her.
Motorcycles rumble up the driveway. Enough of them to drown out most of the chatter inside the clubhouse.
“Our special guests.” Z points to the door.
“Oh shit.” I grin as Ice and several brothers from his charter follow him into the clubhouse.