“We closed 30 minutes ago. If someone isn’t here to pick him up within the next 30 minutes, we will have to notify the police and child services.”
“No. No, don’t do that. I have family that lives there. I’ll have my cousin come pick him up. His name is Judge, I mean Jonah Jackson.”
“Please inform him of the time constraints. Reese has always been on time or early to get him and James is such a sweet boy, but I’m bound by policy, you understand?”
“Yes, fine. I need to go so I can call him and get him there in time. Thank you, Rita.” I hung up before she could say anything else.
With shaking hands, I quickly dialed Judge, praying he picked up.
“Sup, cuz?”
“Judge, I need you to get a cage and get your ass to Sunshine Springs Daycare before 7pm,” I barked into the phone.
“Why? What the hell are you talking about?”
“Apparently, they are closed and my fucking son hasn’t been picked up today!” I bellowed.
At that, he didn’t ask any more questions. I was grateful because I didn’t have any answers. “I’m leaving now. I’ll call you when I have him. I assume you’re headed this way?”
“Damn right I am. Be there soon. Thanks, man.”
Fifteen minutes later I was flying down the highway on my bike when Judge texted to let me know he had my son in his care. I didn’t stop to reply to him. He knew I was on my way and couldn’t respond.
The drive to Devil Springs was the longest drive of my life. I had a son. A son I knew nothing about other than his name, which I just learned. Fuck, I didn’t even know his last name.
Why didn’t Reese tell me about him? Why would she do this to me? Better yet, where in the hell was she? The more I thought about it, the more uneasy I became. Reese wasn’t the kind of woman to abandon a baby. The daycare lady even said Reese always picked him up early or on time. Had something happened to her? Was she okay?
I needed to call Carbon. Fuck, Carbon! He knew I had a kid and didn’t tell me. I was going to kick his big, burly ass when I saw him next. Phoenix could say or do whatever he wanted, but as far as I was concerned, Carbon was no longer my brother. We stood behind each other, put the club first, always, and that included his little sister. Damn him!
When I pulled through the gates at the Devil Springs clubhouse, I was still angry, and worried, and nervous. I was about to see my son for the first time, to hold him, to care for him. How was I going to care for him? I knew nothing about babies, which didn’t really matter because I didn’t have any of the shit babies needed. Sweat popped up on my forehead and my vision started to blur. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t take care of a baby.
A warm, very large hand landed on my shoulder and gently shook me. “Take a deep breath, brother, and come inside,” Copper said.
My voice came out almost as a whisper, “I don’t know if I can.”
“You can and you will. Your son is in there and he needs you. Now go,” he ordered. God bless Copper. I needed that. I don’t think I could have gone inside otherwise.
I walked into the common room, which was almost an exact replica of the Croftridge common room. In the far corner of the room, Judge was seated on a sofa with a little blue bundle in his arms. My steps halted at the sight, until Copper’s big hand shoved me forward.
I slowly approached the sofa. I couldn’t make myself meet anyone’s eyes. I was scared. I was a big, badass biker and I was terrified of a tiny baby. My baby. I was on the verge of turning around and running out the door when Judge spoke, “Hey, lil’ man, your daddy’s here.” Fuck me.
I quickened my steps and dropped down beside Judge. He straightened and leaned forward, placing the blue bundle in my arms. I heard coos and giggles as I slowly reached to push the blanket away so I could see his face. I gasped and felt tears prick the backs of my eyes when I saw him for the first time. He was a perfect combination of me and Reese. He took my breath away. I couldn’t speak. All I could do was stare at the perfection squirming in my arms.
Judge clapped me on the shoulder, “You all right, man?”
I cleared my throat, but didn’t bother to wipe away the one tear that slid down my face, “Yeah, I think so.” Then, the panic came back with a vengeance. My eyes widened, fear filling them, “I don’t know what to do with a baby. I don’t know how to take care of him. I don’t have any of the shit he needs. I don’t-”
“Calm down, Duke,” Judge said. “I called my mom. She’s on her way now. I have a cage and a car seat for him. He had a diaper bag and some shit at the daycare. It’ll be okay.”
My mind was not functioning at full capacity. I couldn’t focus on anything but James. “Thanks, man.”
Copper had been standing to the side, silently watching the show. He stepped forward and addressed me, “Where is his mother?”
My head shot up, “That’s a good fucking question!”
Copper put his hands up, “Calm down, Duke. I’m not accusing you of anything. I”m just trying to get an idea of what’s happening here.”
“What’s happening here is that bitch had my baby and didn’t bother to fucking tell me he existed, yet she had the audacity to list me as the emergency contact at the daycare. Today, she decided not to show up to get him and he damn near ended up with child services!” I roared.
