When did he tell her that?
Mason nods, kissing her on the forehead. “Good girl. I’ll be up soon. You stay there until me or Sissy comes to get you. Got me?”
“Got you.” Carter reaches over, taking Kaylie’s hand, guiding her out of the room and toward the stairs. I watch them walk away, feeling emotionally torn.
On the one hand, I want to take Kaylie and run far away from Oakridge, never looking back. Putting our mother and our past behind us and starting over somewhere fresh. But there’s a part of me that feels like we’re right where we need to be, in the safest place possible. Here, with Mason,my husband, and the Kings.
“All right!” Gabe bellows. “Now that the kids are out of earshot, let’s get a few things settled.One. Sadie, you and Everly will apologize and work your shit out. Whatever youthink you knowabout club business, you will keep it to yourself. Do I make myself clear?”
Sadie gives a curt nod, though the way she’s biting the corner of her mouth lets me know she’s not okay with it. Gabe and Hawk exchange a look. Hawk nods. “Got it, Pres,” he states loudly, his tone leaving no room for argument, then turns to Sadie and whispers something in her ear.
“Two,” Gabe starts again. “Mason has already officially claimed Everly and Kaylie at the table, so the wedding was just a formality. One that we will all behappy,” he cuts a glare at Sadie again. “To celebrate. You ladies will plan the party while the men head into church to talk business. Linzie?” Gabe calls for his ol’ lady. She walks up to his side, placing her hand on his chest. His arm comes over the top of her shoulders as he plants a kiss on her temple. “I want you to oversee the plans for Everly. Yeah?”
“Sure. We just did one of these not too long ago. I’m sure we could pull off a second one,” she says sarcastically, smiling up at him.
“Three. No one leaves this clubhouse until I give the okay.” That gets everyone’s brows furrowed, even mine. “Let’s go, boys. We’ve got shit to discuss. I’m calling church!”
Mason’s hands find my waist as he pulls me close, looking me dead in the eyes. He’s searching for something. He pushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear with his finger. “Are you going to be okay out here? You can always go upstairs with Kaylie, and we can sort this stuff after I’m done in there.”
“And let them see me cower?” I tease. Mason chuckles. “Did you know about my dad? About Caleb?”
Mason doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t look away. It’s all the answer I need.
“There’s a lot you don’t know, and until now, I couldn’t tell you.” Mason’s voice softens. “I know none of this makes a whole lot of sense right now, and I promise I will tell you what I can when I’m done in there, but I need you to hang tight just a little while longer for me. Can you do that?”
“What did you promise Kaylie?” My sudden change of topic catches him off guard, but I have this sudden urge to know.
He smiles. “I promised her to always keep you two safe no matter what. I promised to never let anyone hurt either of you ever again.” Mason pauses. “I promised to love you both forever and never leave your side.”
“Oh.” It’s all I can say.
“You said you love me.” His smile widens. I nod, a single tear dripping down my cheek. Everything is so overwhelming. “I love you too, Sprite. Always have. Always will.” Mason kisses my lips, then my forehead. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.” And then he’s gone, and I’m left standing in the middle of the room, reeling from the whirlwind that is our life.
10
MASON
“I can’t believe you went to the courthouse and had a judge do the ceremony.” Hawk starts in as soon as my ass hits the chair.
I shrug him off. “It was the quickest option.”
“Fuck you.” Hawk laughs. “Fuck the courthouse. I could’ve done the ceremony for you. I got my license online. I’m a certified officiate now,” he says proudly.
“You mean you’re like a pastor or some shit?” I can’t help the laugh that comes out as I say it.
“No, he’s not,” Jake intervenes. “He paid some company that gave him a plastic I.D. card that says he can visit hospitals, officiate weddings, and speak at funerals in all fifty states. All he has to do is answer ten questions and pay an annual fee.”
“Why would you do that?” I’m genuinely curious.
Hawk leans back with a huff. “Eli always gets to do the ceremonies and shit. And I got to thinking, what would happen if he suddenly decided to get hitched, or one of his guys did? He’s going to want to be a part of the party, not the officiate. So, I took one for the team.” He says it like he did us all a favor.
Again, Jake explains, “He got upset that Eli has officiated both Ethan and Sky’s, and mine and Avery’s weddings. Hawkhere has FOMO. He doesn’t like to feel left out. He needs to feel important. Center of attention.”
“The biggest ass in the room,” Jameson adds.
“But he was your best man. So, he kind of was the center of attention next to you.” Hawk looks around the room as we all discuss him like he’s not there.
“Fuck all of you,” he gripes. “See if I do you any favors when you want to tie the knot or christen one of your kids or some shit.”
