The gold band on his finger surprises me most. Who the fuck would marry such a creepy motherfucker?
“Heard you got a new girl in your life. Finally kicked Chanel to the curb?” Jennings asks.
“Yeah. Didn’t you hear? She’s getting married.”
“Heard something about that a few years back. Didn’t stop you two from fucking whenever she came around offering to spread her legs.”
I hold my hands up. “Nothing’s happened since her man found her naked in my bed. Let him give me a decent beating for it.”
“You didn’t fight back?” Colt asks.
“Deserved it.”
“I don’t know if I could just sit there and take a beating like that.”
I laugh. “I bet if your wife started punching you, you’d let her. That’s pretty much how it felt. No real damage done.”
“Fucking pussy,” Venom says with a chuckle. “No wonder his girl was knocking on your door. When they’ve had a taste of a real man, it’s like catnip.”
That’s the best analogy I’ve heard to explain it. Kind of wish I’d put that together. I’m the cat dad here. “Pretty much.”
“So, the new girl. Your ma says she has a daughter. You’re really dating a single mom?”
“Bernie.” I can’t stop the smile as I think about her. “She’s eight. And so fucking smart. Smarter than all of us here, that’s for sure. Life is so simple when I talk to her.”
“Kids do that,” Colt agrees. “And then they become asshole teenagers with sassy mouths and defiant attitudes.”
I don’t think Bernie will become that. Not as long as she feels she still has some of her independence. Not that I can blame her, and I think I’ll work to help Misty loosen up on the reins a bit.
“I’d die for that girl,” I admit.
“And her ma, it sounds,” Jennings says with a smirk.
He has no idea. “You sticking around for a bit? I know Mama could use the visit.”
“Planned to stay for about a week, at least. With Colt in charge, I can take time away now.”
“Like you couldn’t before,” Colt says with a scoff.
My uncle’s face turns serious as he locks eyes with me. “How’s she doing? Really?”
“She’s putting on a brave face, but I know she’s falling apart behind closed doors. I don’t think she’s ever loved anyone like she did Johnny, and he took such good care of her.”
“I love my little sister, but she’s never been like Tess. My wife would probably have taken over the club if I died while in the pres seat.”
My aunt definitely would’ve tried. “Sounds like Colt’s wife might do that someday,” I point out.
“Nah, not now that we have kids. Before kids? Yeah, she’d have cut off balls to get in that room,” he admits.
“Mama could really use you, Jennings. She won’t let me in because she knows I’m hurting, too, even though I’d put it aside for her.”
“That’s a mom thing,” Colt says. “Trust me. Lex would do the same for our kids. Means you were raised by a good mother.”
It’s true. Mama’s the best. World’s greatest. But it kills me that she can’t turn to me like she should. We both lost the greatest man we had in our lives, and she’s dealing with it alone. At least I have the club to share my pain with.
And now Misty, too.
“Thanks,” I say. “Jethro, are we good for the run? I have plans tonight.”
