“Do you want to come to Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow,” I ask him. “We’re having a big dinner here tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’d like that a lot.”
“Great! I’ll see you tomorrow.” I smile at him before climbing out of the car. Rascal is sitting at a picnic table, near the car. He stands as I walk toward him.
“Hey, Princess.” He greets me with a kiss. “I need to talk to Niko real quick. I’ll meet you inside.”
I nod my head, assuming they have business to talk about and head inside.
44
Rascal
Today is Thanksgiving, and Marley is in the kitchen helping Minx and some of the other ladies cook Thanksgiving dinner. Not only are we having a big dinner, we’ll be doing some celebrating, too. We’re sending Chains off to the gods with his patch. Knuckles and Mouse are getting their patches. And to top it off, Marley is getting her property patch. She doesn’t know about hers yet. I told her her cut wouldn’t be ready until this weekend.
Diesel and the others got back to the clubhouse yesterday. He’s still pretty sore and hasn’t left his room since he’s been back. Tink was here when he got back. She was in complete shock when she saw he was injured. Once she knew he was good and settled in his room, she left the clubhouse. Hollywood hasn’t been around much either. I’m not sure what’s going on with the three of them, but they need to figure their shit out and soon.
A bunch of us are hanging out in the main room, drinking and watching football, when Tink walks into the clubhouse. Hollywood instantly tenses without even looking her direction.
“How’s Diesel doing today? Has anyone checked on him recently,” Tink asks the room.
“Tink, go fuckin’ talk to him yourself,” Hollywood snaps at her. Her eyes widen at his tone. Hollywood’s face softens as he stands and moves to her. “Go take care of him. He needs you.”
“What about you?” She whispers.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m over this shit.” He gestures between the two of them and walks out of the clubhouse. Tink stands there, dumbfounded. Seconds later, Marley walks out of the kitchen. Her eyes find me instantaneously. Glancing toward Tink, her smile falls and she rushes to Tink’s side.
“Hey, what’s going on?” She says softly.
Tink shakes her head like she’s clearing her thoughts. “Nothing. I need to go talk to Diesel.”
“Okay, I’m here if you need anything.” Marley gives her a hug before Tink walks down the hall toward Diesel’s room. I move to Marley, wrapping my arms around her.
“Lovers’ quarrel,” I tell her.
Marley nods her head in understanding, though there’s pain in her eyes. Tink is her best friend here and she hurts for her.
I kiss her forehead. “How’s the cookin’ goin’?”
“It’s going well,” she tells me. “Everything is done except for the turkey.”
“Good, I’m starvin’.” I wink at her.
“There’s enough food for a fucking army.”
“Well, we practically are an army,” I deadpan.
She laughs. “That’s true. Y’all eat like it’s goin’ out of style.”
“We’re growin’ boys.” I smirk.
“Right,” she draws out.
An hour later, the turkey is ready and the kitchen is set up buffet style. Before we can dig in, Prez gathers us all in the main room.
“Before we eat, we have some business to take care of,” he announces. “This has been a long time comin’. As everyone knows, Chains was killed before he was able to get patched in. He more than earned it, payin’ the ultimate sacrifice. His cut will be one of the few on our wall.”
“May we never forget our fallen brothers.” Ranger adds.
“Along with Chains, we have two others who have earned their patches.” Prez pulls a cut out of a box. “Mouse.”
Prez holds up the cut and Mouse walks over, slipping it on. He has a grin a mile wide as he hugs Prez. Prez grabs another one out of the box.
“Knuckles.” They go through the same thing. Knuckles smiling so wide, I’m surprised his face doesn’t split in half.
“Congratulations, brothers,” Prez says and the clubhouse erupts in cheers. Prez’s eyes come to me and I walk over to take his spot.
“As everyone should already know, I’ve claimed Marley as my Ol’ Lady.” I look to her, smiling. By the look on her face, she’s freaking out. I pull a women’s size cut out of the box the others were in, showing off the back. Property of Rascal with the club logo on it. “Come here, Princess.”
She walks over to me, turning around to slip it on. When she turns back toward me, I’m down on one knee, holding a ring up. Her hands go to her mouth.
“Marley Jones, be my Queen?”
My heart races in anticipation.
Sniffles are coming from some of the women and one of the guys mutters something sounding like another one bites the dust.
“Yes, yes! A hundred times yes!”
I slide the ring on her finger, picking her up as I stand and kiss her. The clubhouse goes up in a roar. As soon as I put her down, we get bombarded with everyone coming up to us to congratulate us. Including Niko, who’s grinning like an idiot.
“You knew about this, didn’t you,” Marley asks him.
“I did.” He chuckles. “And I couldn’t be happier for you.”
He wraps her in a hug and gives me a slap on the back.
“I know you will take great care of her,” Niko says to me.
“Now, everyone grab a plate and dig in! These amazing women slaved away making us this food. Go, enjoy!” Prez announces.
We let the women get their food first. Once I get my plate, I find a seat next to my woman, sitting with her as close as I can get her without her being on my lap.
“I love you, Cameron McCoy,” she whispers against my mouth before kissing me.
“I love you, too, future Mrs. McCoy.”
“Can I have everyone’s attention,” Saint calls out. We all turn to give him our attention. “While everyone is in the same room, I wanted to make an announcement. At the end of December, I’m movin’ to New Orleans until further notice.”
Marley’s eyes shoot to mine, but I’m as shocked as she is. Saint sits back down, across from Marley and I, and everyone goes back to their food.
“Brother, what’s with the move,” I ask him.
“It’s time I find my birth parents.” He’s made his decision.
“You better be back whenever we have our wedding,” Marley tells him.
He grins. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
I don’t think Marley realizes just how well she fits in here. The beginning of our relationship wasn’t ideal, and things haven’t been easy for us. But I can honestly say I’ve never felt more complete than I do with her by my side.
The ride will continue with Switchin’ Lanes.
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