“Your guardian angel kept you safe?” I walk next to him.
A moment passes.
“My mom says I’m the luckiest son of a bitch she knows.” He chuckles and continues, “She used to come and give me her hand or a hug before I joined race competitions atThe Garage. I guess, it’s her way of supporting me and letting me know she’s always there, watching me and making sure I’ll come back in one piece.”
That’s beautiful.
Is it weird that I’m jealous?
I know you’re always around me, Mom, and I have felt you deeper since I stepped foot here. I know we don’t know each other, but I love you.
“The last two years they completely transformed this site.” He points around us.
In front of us, a kid comes running, waving his little hands toward the bunny cover. “It’s not Easter.” The boy’s small voice declares.
Meadow pulls an egg from the bag Dean left for him and bends to hand it to him, “I won’t tell if you don’t, deal?”
A wide smile crosses his face. “Deal,” he cheerfully runs back to his parents with the surprise in his hand.
We almost reach Meadow’s family outside the store. His long legs stride slowly to keep up with my short ones.
“I was adopted by the Reyes family.” He points to Milo and Donna. “Whoever left me in front of their store, left me with no information, no last name, so they gave me theirs. I’m lucky to have them.”
My eyes slowly dart to the side where he walks.
I’m speechless.
I did not expect him to share this with me out of the blue like that.
Reyes? Like, Bow Reyes…?
Could they be related? Or maybe…
“Hello, son, a pleasure to be in your presence,” Milo says and rewards me with a carrot.
Meadow chuckles sheepishly and taps on Milo’s shoulder, “Hey, Dad.” He gives me a side glance and I giggle.
“Did you have fun, Blakely?” Donna asks as she wraps her arm around my shoulder and tucks me to her side.
I can’t help but smile and my heart explodes with happiness, “I did.”
We gather around, all holding a carrot in hand. “Happy birthday, Dean.”
He smiles and laughs, holding his wife’s hand and kissing her knuckles. “Thank you, guys. It will be perfect once my daughter is born.”
Blakely
Exhausted from the day I had, I still throw on some black-transparent stockings, blue-washed jean shorts, a crop top, and a checked flannel shirt.
This is the best I can do today after a week of adventures, tattoo sessions, and interactions with the spawn of Satan aka Meadow—he’s an expert on how to grate on my nerves. One minute he is the labradoodle, the next, he is trapped deep like a fart, twisting your stomach and begging to be released.
I’m finally taking a few days off. I repeat the words in my head as I lock my door.
Russ, the bar owner, invited me to join their life celebration in honor of the fallen bikers which I find truly remarkable, so obviously, I couldn’t pass.
As I step through the wooden door, passing rows and rows of people chatting, laughing, and drinking, my eyes lock on a familiar bandana with paisley patterns that is wrapped around a familiar head. I grunt on the inside and feel it deep in my core when he gives me a slight smirk with a slight head nod and bites his lip ring slowly.
I roll my eyes, pass a few scuffed tables on my way to thebar, and glance over to the burgundy booths that are fully occupied.
