The Club’s new Ridgefield compound was amazing. There were enough private and bunk rooms to house all of us comfortably, and the fully stocked bar helped ease the stress of being locked down. Last but not least, was a massive commercial kitchen complete with a stocked pantry and scullery. The only thing we didn’t have at the compound was the freedom to leave, which I have to admit made me a little itchier than I’d expected. Even though we were essentially sequestered in a five-star cabin retreat, weweresequestered. A group of people whose entire lifestyle was based around freedom, locked up together for an unknown duration of time.
Of course, there was one silver lining to the whole cloudy ordeal which was my proximity to Katie. Being this close to her all the time only made me want to be with her more and that was something I’d never experienced before. Hell, I couldn’t even commit to only one MC. I had to patch into two. But this was different. After being with Katie, she was all I wanted in this world.
Thirty minutes later, I was in Archer’s chairgetting some new ink of my own. A tribute to my soon-to-be new bride that I hoped she’d find endearing.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Archer said as he began his work.
“Yup, I’m gonna be a married man,” I said, unable to suppress the shit-eatin’ grin I broke out into every time I talked about Katie.
Archer chuckled. “I gotta say, I didn’t see that coming. I mean, you just blew back into town and the next minute you’re engaged.”
“Love has a way of doin’ that to a guy, that’s for damn sure,” I replied.
“I’ll be sure to watch my back,” Archer said.
“Not the marrying type, huh?” I asked.
“I’m not against the idea of settling down with one woman, I’m just not sure it’s in my cards, you know? The wholemarried with childrenthing.”
“You make marriage sound like a terminal illness. It’s not like I’m buying a mini-van or something.”
“Not today, but just you wait. Today it’s love, roses, and tattoos. Tomorrow you’ll be knee deep in diapers and sleep deprived with Cheerios stuck to your beard. I’ve watched my siblings and how quickly they folded.” Archer shuddered.
I suppressed a laugh, not wanting to fuck up Archer’s line work. “As long as Katie’s part of the deal, I’m up for it.”
“It’s sad to see someone so young cut down in the prime of his life,” Archer said solemnly.
I let out a snort. “What’s wrong with you? I happen to know Booker and your mother are still crazy about each other.”
“I know! It’s disgusting,” he replied. “They act like a couple of horny teenagers in church. It’s gross.”
“Yeah, I get it. Maybe you’re right. It’s better when parents slowly drift apart, get divorced, use their kids as pawns, and continue to resent each other to their graves. Plus, two Christmases are better than one,” I said.
“So, you do understand,” Archer said.
“You think it’s too late to call off the engagement?” I asked.
Archer shook his head. “You’re getting her name tattooed on your arm.”
“Damn it. I guess I’ll just have to go through with it and see what happens.”
“May God have mercy on your soul,” Archer said.
I laughed as I settled in and watched as he inked a KitKat bar on my left bicep. A permanent reminder of the love of my life… and favorite snack.
Every pun intended.
Katie
ABOUT A WEEK after my run-in with the Spiders, Hatch reluctantly allowed Rooster and I to make our courthouse date.AndI was allowed to get ready at home. Cricket arrived early (way too early, in my opinion) to do hair and makeup. I pulled open the door, and she walked in with Maisie, Grace, Dani and my mom in tow.
“Mama?” I hugged her extra tight. “Are you sure you feel up to this?”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world, baby.”
“Youknow, I was happy to meet at thecourthouse, ladies,” I lamented.
“Kathryn Elizabeth Samuel Beelzebub,” Cricket ground out, and I rolled my eyes.
