“Tonight’s the first one.” Z grins even wider.
“Uh-huh,” I grunt, still not convinced he’s not up to something.
I scan the party. All the brothers and their old ladies. Sway and Tawny are missing. Swan, Lala, and Willow are the only non-patched women I see. This isn’t a clubhouse party. Seems more like a family event, minus the kiddos.
“Jesus, you’re not gonna show us one of Stella’s films are you?” I groan. Sitting through that’s gonna be awkward as fuck.
“That was my suggestion, but it was viciously shot down,” Steer says.
“I seconded the motion.” Ravage raises his hand.
On second glance, Rock and Hope seem to be missing too.
Heh. Maybe Rock finally dug a hole for Sway in the woods.
The front door opens again. Rock and Hope walk in with baby Grace. So at least one LOKI kid’s in attendance tonight.
“Rooster,” Rock says, slapping my back. “Good to see you.”
“Good to be here, Prez.”
“Z says you’re looking for a house?”
“Oh, is Shelby moving here with you?” Hope asks.
I can’t help grinning like an idiot. “Looks that way. “
Z slaps my chest. “He’s got country boy taste like Teller. All the places I set up for him were ‘too close to people’.”
Rock laughs. “I feel you on that one.” He spreads his hands in front of him. “How do you think the clubhouse ended up all the way out here?”
“Shelby and I are going to look at a place midway between the two clubhouses. Looks like it’s on the western border of Pine County.”
“That might be a good location,” Z says. “Jiggy moving with you?”
I frown at the question. “We’re not a thrupple.”
He squints at Jiggy. “You sure about that?”
“We’re sure,” Jiggy growls. “Shelby’s a dolphin as far as I’m concerned.”
Z squeezes his eyes shut, chortling like a kid. “I’m so happy that’s still getting around.”
Hope side-eyes Rock.
“Don’t ask,” Rock says.
“Let me see my niece,” Z says, holding out his hands. “Aw, come see your favorite uncle, Gracey-baby.”
“You know damn well that’s not true,” Wrath says, wiggling his fingers at Grace.
As if she’s siding with her biggest uncle, Grace reaches for Wrath and he takes her from Z.
“Traitor.” Z tickles her toes.
“Where’s your munchkin?” I ask Z.
“At her brother’s house.” He nods toward Lilly. “He was very excited to play lumberjack all weekend.”
Grace reaches for her mom and Hope takes her again. “I’m going to go find Shelby and say hello.”
Rock watches his girls even though they can’t be more than fifteen feet away from us.
“So, what’s with this movie night Z says we’re having?” I ask. “Since you brought the baby, I assume we’re not screening one of Stella’s films.”
“Would a baby even know what porn is?” Ravage asks.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Rock growls.
Z slaps Ravage’s shoulder, pushing him dangerously close to Rock. “Prez, you think he knows the first thing about kids?”
“He still is a big kid,” Wrath adds.
Not at all insulted, Rav raises his fists in the air. “Fuck yeah, I am.”
“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.”