“No hiding out, Annistyn.Sam, Caleb’s mom, won’t allow it.Skylar and Bailey won’t either.You’ll love the women.Especially Darcy if she shows up.The woman is a walking disaster and always gets in trouble somehow.She’s a klutz and we all love her to death.Maybe not Wood because he seems to always be her target for some reason,” Cali says with a smile on her face as Luca walks back in the common room with a plate of food for me.
The portions are smaller than what he’d give anyone else but slightly bigger than what I’d give myself.He sets two more plates down in front of Rory and Bryce.Kylan and Dakota aren’t quite ready for subs and chips yet.Luca returns with mashed potatoes and cut up hot dogs for them.
“I haven’t met everyone from the clubs, but those I’ve met are really good people, Annistyn.You’ll like them.Kreed won’t leave your side if you’re not comfortable,” Luca adds in his opinion as he takes a seat next to Bryce.“None of us will ever put you in a situation you won’t be comfortable in.”
Before I can respond, the door of the clubhouse opens and we all turn to see Roger making his way inside.He heads straight for me and watches as I take a bite of the sub Luca made me.While I eat, Cali shares stories of everyone from when she was growing up.She really spent a lot of time with the parents and other clubs.When Roger sees me ready to push my plate away, he gently nudges me so I take a few more bites.One of the hardest parts about eating is not knowing when I’m full.Part of me feels as if I’ll eat too much and get sick because I’m not used to having a lot of food in my stomach.So, the bites I take aren’t huge, but it’s enough to satisfy Roger, Cali, and Luca.They all tell me how good I did and allow me to be done eating.It won’t be long before I’ll have a snack of my choosing.Cali already went shopping for Kreed and grabbed a ton of things I’ve been wanting to try.They’re up in the room I have so no one else takes them from me.Kreed even made sure I had one of those mini refrigerators for things that need to be kept cold.He spoils me too much.
When I’m done eating, Roger and I head out back to sit in the sun for a little while.Cali and the kids hang out inside so I can have some time with my cousin.Yes, she knows the situation between the two of us.Reckless and Luca do too.No one else does though.They just think he’s a man I met who helps me with photography and that’s what we spend our time talking about.I’m not ready for anyone else to know my personal business and Kreed promised that was okay.I enjoy talking to Roger and getting to know him.The conversation is mostly one-sided because I don’t share a lot of my own details, but he’s okay with that.He knows I’ll talk when I’m ready and is willing to wait for me to trust him enough to open up about the more personal details of my life.
Chapter Ten
Link
WORK WAS RIDICULOUS.I really didn’t think the guys were that far behind at the garage but the mess I walked into after dropping Annistyn off at the clubhouse told me how wrong I was.Caleb let me know they were waiting on parts, something I usually ordered, for a few vehicles while they were waiting on me for two of them.The customer didn’t want anyone other than me working on their cars so they simply sat in the parking lot until I got back.Those were the two I started with.One was an oil change and the other was replacing a starter.Then, I called and made sure the parts the guys ordered would show up in a matter of hours since it had already been a week and a half since the order was placed and nothing had been delivered yet.Needless to say, I did go off a little bit on the vendor because they’ve never treated us that way and I wasn’t gonna have it because I took time off to spend with Annistyn in the hospital when she was terrified of being there.I’m honestly surprised Caleb didn’t go off on them because they were holding business up, but he chose to let me deal with them.Asshole!
Pulling into the clubhouse, I almost stop the second I enter the gate.Our parking lot is absolutely filled with bikes and SUVs.I knew Playboy’s club was coming out to see us for a little bit.Tank typically joins in on those trips since he’s family and it’s been a while since he’s seen Caleb, Cali, and the kids.Maddie wouldn’t let her brother and dad make the trip without them either.She loves her family way too much for that to happen.However, with the amount of bikes filling every spot available in the front parking lot and going around the side of the clubhouse, I have a feeling both of the Phantom Bastards clubs showed up and possibly all three of the Wild Kings clubs are here with them.It’s going to be one huge ass reunion and I’m not sure Annistyn is going to be okay with everyone here.
Parking my bike, I don’t linger as I jump off the second the engine is cut and race inside the clubhouse.My eyes dart around the crowded common room as music blares through the speakers.It’s louder than normal but not so loud you can’t have a conversation with people in the room.I don’t find Annistyn anywhere as I take in the men and women from six different clubs coming together as one.
“Where is she?”I ask Viper as he walks over to me.
“She’s in the kitchen with your mom and Sam.I think most of the ol’ ladies are in there.Cali hasn’t left her side since the other clubs got here.Roger is still here too.He’s playing football out back with some of the guys,” Viper answers me as I start to head that way with him following me while I wave and nod at men and women I’ve considered my family for a very long time.
“How’s Annistyn takin’ this crowd?”I question Viper as it finally registers that my mom made the trip here too.“How’s my mom doin’?”
“Annistyn is really quiet.More than normal but she has eaten lunch, a snack, and is currently eatin’ dinner.Your mom is talkin’ to her and it’s distracted her enough she’s almost completely finished her plate of food,” Viper says as we stop in the doorway to the kitchen.“While I don’t know your mom, I’d have to say she’s okay.She looks a little tired, but hasn’t stopped smilin’ since she met Annistyn.Sam and her love your girl.”
I can’t stop the smile from breaking out on my face as I take in the scene before me.Annistyn has a plate of food that’s almost completely finished in front of her.It looks like she had a cheeseburger and fries with gravy.The bottle of water she typically has is in front of her along with a glass of milk.They fed her well tonight as I watch her take a bite of asparagus I didn’t see until this very second.
“Looks like she’s eatin’ really good today,” I comment more to myself than anyone else.
“She ate really good today, Link.Annistyn is takin’ Doc’s words to heart and she’s gonna do everythin’ she can so she doesn’t end up in the hospital again.I heard her and Cali talkin’ about it.Annistyn is truly terrified of bein’ in the hospital for a few different reasons.You’ll have to ask her because I’m not sayin’ a word.I’d like to keep her trust and not lose it because I overshared with you,” Viper says as I walk the rest of the way in the kitchen and directly up to Annistyn.
She looks up at me with a smile on her face and clear eyes.There aren’t any tears she’s holding back or the fear I thought would be consuming her right now.
“Hey, Pixie.Havin’ a good time with my mom and Sam?”I ask her, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head as she melts into my body for a brief moment.
