“Thank you, Father Time,” Dex sneers.
In a gentler tone—well, gentle for Grinder—he adds, “Since I’ve been out, all I’ve seen you do is work and help your brothers, Dex. It’s admirable. But you need more. Don’t let guilt rust you up so tight, you never move forward. Take chances. Move forward. Rust or ride.”
Dex and I both groan. In the early days of the club, Grinder and Lucky had used that phrase often. Then Lucky died, and prison stole fifteen years of Grinder’s life.
“I was wondering when you’d bust that one out,” Dex says.
“Laugh all you want,” Grinder says. “Those are the only two options for a biker. Rust or ride. Which one you wanna do?”
“Neither right now,” Dex says with a smirk. “But I am going to run away from this conversation.”
He claps my shoulder. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
“You got it, brother.” I grab onto his arm. “Sorry I started that,” I say in a lower voice.
He tilts his head, accepting the apology. “It’s all good, brother.”
Then Dex does exactly what he said, and hurries away from us.
“Happy now?” I ask Grinder.
“What did you do?” Serena’s soft voice as she cautiously approaches us wipes the agitated scowl off Grinder’s face.
“Nothing, buttercup.” He slides one arm around her waist and rests his free hand on her stomach.
“Your ol’ man was just handing out some wise—if not ill-timed—life advice,” Charlotte says.
Grinder’s not offended. If anything, the half-smirk on his face says he’s amused. “Firecracker, I told you.” He points at me. “Glad you finally got your act together.”
Charlotte chuckles. “Everything fell into place.”
Grinder smiles wider. “She’s gonna hold your feet to the fire for the rest of your life.”
I hug Charlotte to me tighter. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Grinder turns, searching the backyard until his gaze lands on Dex. “That’s all I want for him.” He presses a kiss to Serena’s cheek and she leans into his side.
“I’m sure Dex knows it’s coming from a good place,” Charlotte says.
“If not an annoying one,” I add.
Serena winces and moves her hand over her stomach. Grinder forgets all about rusting, riding, or anything but Serena. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She squeezes her eyes shut, then opens them. “All good.”
“Let’s sit down.” Grinder whisks her away without another word to us.
As the sun slips away, the hundreds of tiny white lights I strung up around the yard flicker to life. Music flows from speakers set up around the patio. I curl my arms around Charlotte and draw her close, gently swaying—not quite dancing—to the rhythm.
“This is nice,” she sighs.
“I don’t ever want to be without you,” I whisper, leaning down to kiss her lips.
Charlotte melts against me. “Then you won’t,” she promises.
For most of my life, I was convinced happily ever after was a myth only found in the books I read to my little sister.
Now, I know I want to spend the rest of my life making this woman happy.
Ever after isn’t enough. I want her for eternity.