Chapter 25
Keeton
A couple months after that.
Today is a big day. Lainie isfinallymoving in with me. Even last night my girl was still hesitant even though she’s, essentially, been living here with me. But today it’s official thanks to my ace in the hole, her dad, Rob. He and I’ve bonded recently. It started over a couple of beers and a tour of my shop and now he’s helping me with my newest custom job. He’s handy as hell and pretty fucking creative too. The man knows his bikes. Apparently, he owned a Triumph Bonneville back in the day, before he got married. He sold it to pay for his honeymoon. Before I met Lainie, I’d probably scoff at the notion of selling my bike for a woman, let alone a honeymoon––but not anymore. Now I get it. I also get that Rob Palmer is exactly the man Lainie described that night at her place. Honestly, he’s the kind of husband and father I hope to be for Lainie and our future children.
Our children.Damn, I can’t wait. When Lainie told me she was on the pill that night I met her sisters, I was honest with her. I told her I wanted kids, I wanted them with her, and I wanted to start as soon as she was ready. It was a risk. I thought for sure she’d either throw me out or curl up in a ball and ignore me. She did neither. She drew me in for a long sexy kiss and told me she’d pictured our children the day she met me. “Me too,” I’d said. “They’re all dark-haired and beautiful.” I added.
“Well, I saw three little blondes in my imagination.”
“How ‘bout two of each?”
“Well, since we can’t plan what our kids will look like, we can decide on the number but let’s wait until after we have one. I have a feeling parenthood is harder than it looks,” she laughed.
Confession. I got so fucking hard when she said that last part,wait until after we have one.I thought,Fuck. She wants it too.Since then, she’s stopped with the pill and we’ve been checking every month since.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when a large van pulls into my driveway. “She’s here,” I say loud enough for Eric to hear. He’s lying on his ass on my sofa waiting for the Palmer women to show up. Rob insisted on doing this part of the move with the help of Lainie’s sisters. He said it was, ‘Symbolic. Like passing the torch.’ I wonder if he did the same thing when she married the other asshole. I’d ask but I don’t want to know the answer. I step out onto my porch and down two steps to meet Lainie at the back of the van. I kiss her pretty nose. “You ready for this?”
“I am,” she says excitedly. “If you’re sure?”
“Never surer of anything in my life, Lain.” I lean down and kiss her deep. That is, until we hear several throats clear at once.
“Sorry,” I mumble. Ignoring their mutters, I open the van door and take the first thing I see, a lamp. A lamp I recall seeing in Keely’s living room. An ugly as sin lamp. The shade looks ancient but normal; it’s the rest of it that’s hideous. The base is a seated, ceramic Siamese cat. The thing is chipped and scratched to the point it probably needs to either be tossed or sent to be repaired.
Keely pats my back. “Yeah, I know. It’s ugly but you’re going to have to deal, big bro.”
She’s taken to calling me big brother. I like it. “And why’s that?” I ask smugly.
“Because I love it.” Lainie says as she takes the lamp from me.
“Told ya.” Keely smirks. “Deal with it.”
“Our mom had it in her room growing up,” Violet adds as she passes me.
“Got it.” We’ll put it in a place of prominence. Taking the next box from the back, I walk into the house and set it down in the dining room. I’d moved the table and chairs off to the side to make room earlier. After Lainie’s boxes are piled high, the group has gathered in my living room, some sitting, some standing. “I’ve got food to grill and drinks on the deck if anyone wants to hang out for a while.”
They all turn to look at Lainie. Are they waiting for her approval? “Oh, cool. Thanks, babe.” She kisses my cheek. “You all wore your suits, right?”
I watch them all nod and then, “Hell yeah!” yells Keely. “Pool party!”
Okay. I guess we’re having a pool party. Looking at my girlfriend, I ask, “Should I call Molly?”
“Um,” she says looking bashful. “I already invited her and the baby. They’ll be here shortly. Is this okay?” She points to her family. “I shouldn’t have assumed it was okay.”
Molly has met a couple of her sisters, but surprisingly, this is the first time Eric’s met any of the Palmer women. He’s met Rob at the shop, obviously. I think it’s why he volunteered to help with the move. He wanted to see if he could woo a Palmer sister for himself. I’ve been keeping an eye on Eric and I must say, I’m surprised. He’s been uncharacteristically quiet since they got here. It’s interesting. Looking back at my new roomie, I say, “This is your home now. You can throw a party if you want and since it took me months to convince you to move in, I think a party is definitely in order.”
“Phew,” she says, wiping sweat from her forehead––real sweat. Northern Arizona is hot this time of year. “I took a risk. I’m glad it paid off.” Walking into the throng, she announces, “Girls! Time to swim.”
Keely fist pumps, “Yeah, we get to lounge in the pool while the men cook.”
“Yo, Keet. I’m swimmin’ with the girls. Someone’s gotta protect ‘em.”
“From what?” Rolling my eyes, I look over at Rob, then back to Eric. “Who’s going to protect them from you?”
“Har-dee-fucking-har-har, big brother.” Eric pulls off his shirt directly in front of Keely and Violet.
Keely hoots and hollers, “Whoa, son. I bet those big arms would be great putting together my Ikea furniture.” The room breaks into laughter while Eric looks a little surprised by Keely’s catcall. I think he’s met his match in cute little Keely Palmer.
