Addyson takes the baby into her arms gingerly and the moment she’s secure they both let out a sigh. And damn if that vision doesn’t knock me on my ass. In more than one way. Joplin is so small; it’s amazing and terrifying.
“You’ll be knocking her up soon, huh?” Scythe smirks as he elbows me, his voice low enough for only me to hear.
“As soon as she’s ready.”
I want it, badly. But I’m not in a rush. I’m more than okay with enjoying time with my Tempest.
CHAPTER 20
ADDYSON
When I scrunch up my face after taking a drink of the hard lemon-cider, or whatever it is, in my hand, which is far too sweet, my best friend laughs. She leans into me, nudging me, her voice curious as she asks, “Why are you even drinking that? You like beer and whiskey.”
“Or tequila if I want to burn the world down,” I remind her.
We share a look and then burst out laughing. Who knows if we’re even thinking of the same incident, since there has been more than one, but I bet we are.
And that is what I love about Tallulah. Our history.
When we calm down enough, I tell her, “The night I first came here, the prospect at the gate was a little short with me.” She stiffens, but I wave my hand and remind her, “He was doing his job. He wasn’t threatening or disrespectful, just short.”
“Fine,” she sighs, “I get what you’re saying.”
“Which is why I’ve never mentioned it or anything to anyone,” I keep my voice down and widen my eyes to make sure she gets the point. With a sage nod, she tells me she’s got it. “Anyway, he got this for me, special, from the store when he did a grocery haul. I think it’s his way of saying sorry.”
“Damn it, that’s kind of sweet,” she grumbles.
I give her shoulder a soft shove and gripe, “It’s very sweet. What’s going on with you?”
My best friend, my soul sister, heaves out a big sigh. She looks over at where Scythe and Mayhem are talking after her man slipped into the main room. He had been putting Joplin down and currently has a baby monitor on the table in front of him.
When she looks back at me, there are tears in her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re safe. I was scared for you, but I knew they would protect you here and take care of the problem.” When my mouth opens, she waves her hand and shakes her head. “Whatever that may be. I’m not interested in details, knowing you’re safe is what matters. And you are.”
Her face scrunches up and the next words run out of her mouth like one big word, “I was just hoping you’d come to New Orleans and fall in love with a biker there because then you’d be there with me, but I see it isn’t going to happen.”
I stare at my best friend for a long moment before barking out a laugh. “I can’t believe you got that out in one breath.”
“That’s not the point,” she pouts. “I feel awful for feeling that way because all I want is for you to be happy. But I also miss you.”
“You know the distance doesn’t matter,” I whisper.
Even as the words leave my lips, they taste a little like a lie. Not in spirit. But in reality. We’ve always been close, in proximity. The distance has been hard.
“No,” I sigh, and wrap an arm around her shoulders while hers slips around my waist, “it does and it sucks.”
“It doesn’t matter in my heart,” she admits, “but life just keeps going and there are times when I just want to pause it and rewind and be able to have you there.”
“Yeah,” I sigh, my eyes going to Briggs.
The brothers have given us a wide berth and I’m happy to report that the clothed angels have as well. But our men haven’t taken their eyes off us.
An idea pops into my head and I squirm a little. “You know our men would do anything for us.”
“Of course,” she grumbles, “I don’t see how that’s relevant.”
“What if we find a place, about halfway between both of us, and we get it together. A vacation home,” I offer up my idea. It’s a little out there, but it’s kind of perfect.
Tallulah sits up quickly and stares at me before nodding and clapping. I think I hear Scythe groan, “Oh fuck, this is going to involve us somehow.”
