“Nice to meet you. I love your dress,” I said genuinely.
“Oh! I like you already.”
“She’s just saying that because she’s pregnant and thinks she’s fat, even though she’s barely even showing,” Eve replied sarcastically. I watched as Bailey cupped a bump I hadn’t noticed before.
“Congratulations. Do you know what you’re having?” I asked, and she shook her head.
“We want it to be a surprise.”
“Which, thankfully, means we don’t have to deal with a gender reveal at the baby shower next month,” Seph replied, and I sat back, listening to the women discuss their plans for Bailey’s baby shower.
No club girls allowed, peanut butter chocolate was the current flavor craving, and no gender-specific gifts. It was an eclectic group of women, but the bonds between them were undeniable.They were discussing baby-proofing the house when Bailey shared her difficulties coming up with an idea for the nursery.
“It feels like I need a theme, but I don’t know what to pick. I’ve looked at every website and store out there for ideas, but I keep coming up empty-handed.”
“Why don’t you ask Match to design something?” I suggested, thinking about the accent wall he had done for me. The women were quiet for a second before they started replying excitedly.
“That’s a great idea,” Seph replied.
“Dare said he’s really talented and they’re going to start training him next month. If you ask now, you might be able to get him to start before he’s working at the shop full-time.”
“They’re hiring him?! He didn’t tell me! Oh, I’m so excited!” I gushed, only slightly miffed that Match hadn’t told me himself.
“He doesn’t know yet. Dare had to go out of town and is gonna talk to him when he gets back, but it’s all been approved,” Seph declared.
“Oh! I love this idea. I wonder if he would actually do it.” Bailey turned to me, her eyes widening. “Will you ask him? He won’t say no to his big sister,” she pleaded with me.
“What?” I laughed until I saw all their expressions.
“You didn’t know? He talks about you all the time. Charging the Brothers for plates of that mac and cheese you made him. He volunteered to stay on morning duty too. You may not be related by blood, but that boy loves you like a sister.”
I blushed from head to toe, warmed by the news. I didn’t know why I was surprised. I saw Match as a brother. Our relationship was totally different from the one I had with my brother growing up.
“I’ll ask him,” I said, and all the women cheered.
“Mom, you’re hogging Fee. The other guys want to meet her,” Charlie said, coming up to stand beside me.
“Hello, Charlotte, dear.”
“Hey, Seph. Hey, chickies,” she said, giving Eve and Bailey each a kiss on the cheek.
“Alright. you can take her away as long as she keeps her promise to Bailey,” Seph said, looking right at me.
“Promise! I’ll ask him first thing tomorrow,” I said, and Bailey did a little dance before giving me a tight hug.
I waved goodbye as Charlie dragged me to a table across the room, where our small group had converged. It didn’t pass my notice that I was flanked by Bash, Charlie, or Match at all times. I knew they were worried about me, which was heartwarming, but also a bit unnecessary. Needing to pee, I started for the bathroom on the main floor, only to have Bash stop me.
“Use the bathroom attached to my room upstairs. It’s private and cleaner. Do you want me to take you there?”
I knew where the room was from setting up earlier in the day. I shook my head, determined to prove I didn’t need a babysitter the entire night. I made my way upstairs and down the hallway that led to the rooms the Brothers slept in. As I turned the corner, I was startled to see Crow, pants around his ankles, balls-deep in Dolly.
Both turned to look at me. His eyes tracked me lasciviously as he never stopped pounding her against the wall. I scurried around them, rolling my eyes at Crow’s clear desperation to prove himself as some sort of alpha male.
There was something about him that didn’t sit right with me. I’d learned to listen to my gut, and it was telling me Crow had all the wrong intentions. Remembering my earlier conversation with Seph, I had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that Crow was her son.
Both Reaper and Persephone seemed controlled and commanding, neither of which described Crow. He was brash and sloppy, and clearly trying too hard. He had something toprove, or he was desperately hiding behind that bravado and false sense of self-importance.
I wondered if he thought he would inherit the role of President once his dad stepped down.Is that how things go in the club?I would have to ask. The idea of Crow being in charge of anything made me nervous, but thankfully, it wasn’t a concern I had to focus on.
