“The fuck you doing? You’re getting everything all wet,” I reprimand.
“The prospect will clean it up. Won’t you?” Jake smiles, slapping Austin on the back. Austin knows not to argue and heads off toward the linen closet for towels.
“So, what’s the problem, Jake?”
“The snow is coming down fast and hard, and it’s sticking, Pres. It’s already up to over six inches at least, and it’s not showing signs of stopping anytime soon. Eli took Blake, Xander, and Clot out to make sure all the bikes were tucked away and covered up. The other vehicles are already getting buried. No one’s going to be leaving anytime soon. But what’s worse?” Jake says, rubbing the back of his neck. “We aren’t going to be able to have the wedding in the second barn like we had planned. There’s a decent-sized leak in the roof, and I’m afraid with thesnow already this thick, and not slowing down, it could cave in. We don’t want anyone in there if that’s even a remote possibility, Pres. And the animals have all been moved inside the other one.”
“Well, shit. All right. Let’s get Avery and let her know what’s happening. We can move shit around in here and set up the wedding inside the clubhouse. That’s not a problem. The challenge is going to be making sure we don’t disappoint my daughter.”
“Mason!” I gesture to the archway and all the flowers that have taken over the main living space of the clubhouse. “Grab the other two prospects. After we’re done talking to Avery, I want you to put that arch and whatever other wedding decorations she wants wherever she wants in the clubhouse. Grab a couple of the girls too. They’ll help.”
Mason nods, then whistles, getting everyone’s attention. “Austin, Colt, with me. Pres has a job for us.” They meet up at the other end of the bar while Jake hunts down Avery.
I make my way over and let Jake fill Avery in on what’s happening. I’m waiting for the catastrophic meltdown that is sure to happen, but as usual, my kid surprises me.
“Okay, well. First, shouldn’t we make sure we have a place for everyone to stay for the night?” Avery turns her attention to me, asking, “Do we know where we want to put everyone to sleep? We don’t have enough guest rooms, but we could probably put Everly, Andi, and Linzie in the playroom. Lilah, Carter, and Kaylie can have a sleepover in there on the floor, if you don’t think they’ll mind?”
“I’m sure they’ll all be fine with these arrangements.” I answer. “You’re okay with moving the wedding into the clubhouse?”
“It’s not what I wanted, but I’m not postponing my wedding because there’s snow on the ground. Everyone’s here. It’ll be fine.” She smiles. It doesn’t meet her eyes, and I’m about toquestion her, but she turns to Jake and says, “Baby, can you ask the club girls to make sure every room has enough blankets and pillows? And make sure Gramps has a room of his own, please. I’m pretty sure Eli and his guys have their rooms already, but it may get even colder throughout the night, so let’s make sure the small heaters are set up in the kids’ room, and maybe bring one or two in the main room too.” Avery turns back to me. “Where are we putting Liz and Caleb?”
“They can have my room. I’ll sleep in the office tonight,” I offer. I’m not planning on sleeping much anyway.
“All right. Then let’s let everyone know the situation and the change in plans. We can start decorating now if you don’t mind getting the guys to help me.”
“Prospects are waiting for your instructions, Angel.” Jake kisses her on the forehead.
“Okay. Have them move the archway over by the stage, and I’ll get some of the girls to come help set up.” Jake takes off to do her bidding, hollering for the prospects.
“Avery?” I grab her elbow and spin her to face me. “You sure you’re all right? I know this isn’t the way you wanted things to go, but we will make it a beautiful event. You have my word.”
Avery leans in, hugging herself to my chest. “It’s not the wedding, Daddy. I’m hoping the weather doesn’t prevent us from taking our honeymoon. Jake and I have been looking forward to getting some time away. Now that everything has calmed down, we just wanted to relax and focus on us.” She pulls back, wiping a tear from her face. “I know that makes me sound selfish, but things have just been so crazy since Eleanor shot me in the shoulder. I just need …”
“A break.” I finish for her. “Yeah, Babygirl. I get it. It’s not selfish to want to spend time with your man. You two have been through a lot. We all have. It helps to feel grounded when shit goes crazy, and spending time with your man is the best wayto do that. You are not being selfish at all, Avery. It’s fucking normal.”
“And what about you, Daddy?”
“What about me?”
“Who’s going to ground you? Because your life is always going crazy.” I chuckle, kissing Avery on her temple.
“I’m good, sweetheart. Don’t worry about me.”
“Okay, well, then who’s going to make Linzie feel grounded then, because I don’t see her going anywhere with her son working his way into a membership patch,” she says, pulling back. She turns toward the kitchen, where Linzie is talking and laughing with Eli, Cash, and Andi. “Maybe she and Eli will hit it off, since you seem to be uninterested.”
“What?” I snap, a little harsher than intended. “You’ve got it all wrong, Babygirl. Andi told me all about Linzie not being over her husband—which makes sense—but she’s not ready to pursue a relationship. So, even if she and Eli do hit it off…”
“Oh, well. If you’re not interested anymore, maybe Eli will take her for a ride.”
“What the hell, Avery Rose!”
“What?” She looks every bit the innocent young girl, but it’s bullshit and we both know it. “If she’s still hung up on Michael, and you’re looking for something more permanent, it’s obviously not going to work out.” She shrugs. “But if all Linzie is looking for is to have some fun in the sheets with no strings attached, what better place to be snowed in than in a clubhouse full of single, horny bikers?”
Fuck me.
CHAPTER 9
LINZIE
