“He gaslit you into believing it was your fault. Got it.” I shrug. “Look, I don’t want to fight with you. I’m glad you’re happy. I wouldn’t be.”
“I know.” She searches my face. “You love him? Grim?”
I smile. “His name is Landon. And yes, I love him. Even though it’s too soon and all that nonsense.”
She shakes her head. “I knew I was going to marry Brett the first time he put me on his bike. I was seventeen and he was nineteen. But I knew. So, it’s not nonsense. Sometimes you just know.”
“Assuming Dad doesn’t scare him off.”
“If he’s the man for you, he’ll be able to handle your dad.”
I stare at the clubhouse, anxious to know what’s going on inside, but she’s right. Any man who’s going to be an important part of my life has to be able to handle my dad—and the club. Not directly, because he’s not a member, but I’d like to think my father will be involved in my life and that of my future children.
“I hope so.”
“Come on, let’s get some food.” She tugs me toward the long tables set up buffet-style and introduces me to people I don’t know. New wives and girlfriends that have come to the club in the years since I left. Most of them are surprised to find out I’m Silver’s daughter, and some of them have apparently heard about my ordeal.
“I’m sorry about what happened to you,” a woman who looks to be in her mid-twenties says. Her name is Layla and she has long black hair, a sleeve of tattoos down one arm, and a barely visible baby bump.
“Uh, thanks.” I frown. “How did you know?”
“Metal told me.”
“Metaltold you?” I blink in surprise.
“He and I are…” She puts her hand on her stomach. “Well, we’re together now. This—” She motions to her stomach. “—was an accident, but I didn’t think I could get rid of it and he told me he didn’t want me to.” She dips her head shyly. “I think he had a crush on me for a long time. He was just too shy to make a move.”
“Metal is literally my favorite person in the club,” I say sincerely. “I’ve known him since middle school and he’s always been sweet. Quiet but smart and gentle and kind. Not like—” I cut myself off. “Sorry, I forget where I am sometimes.”
She smiles. “It’s okay. I agree. I thought…well, I thought he was kinda nerdy, you know? Nice ass but too quiet for me. Caught him reading books sometimes instead of partying withus. And then, one night…” She shrugs. “One thing led to another. And another. Then I found out I was pregnant and he didn’t even hesitate. I think I fell in love with him that minute, when he said, ‘okay, so I guess we’re having a baby. You want to move in with me or me with you?’ That was it.”
I smile. That sounds like Metal.
“I’m really happy for you guys. He’ll be a good dad and he’ll take care of you.”
She glances around and then lowers her voice. “I was…you know, an employee.” She waits for me to put two and two together.
“I hadn’t worked in a while,” she continues quickly. “I broke my ankle and was having a tough time. Metal was one of the guys helping me out. So, it’s definitely his baby.”
“I’m glad your ankle is better,” I say politely.
She nods. “I’m working part-time at the tattoo shop in town, but Metal wants me to quit. We’re looking to buy a house…and I want to contribute. I don’t want to just take from him. You know?”
“Believe me, I get it.”
We fill our plates with hot dogs and macaroni salad and fruit and my corn casserole, and then find seats under a tree with some shade. Aunt Fern joins us along with a woman named Charity. She and Layla used to work together, and she’s been dating one of the bikers named Motor.
Despite my reluctance to be part of this world, days like this make me miss my mother. She was the one who insisted on the occasional family dinner, or a Sunday cookout, or girls’ night out for the wives.
“Your mom would’ve liked you being here for your dad’s birthday,” Aunt Fern says.
I nod, wondering if my dad would be doing whatever he’s doing to Landon if my mother was still alive. He’s changed sinceshe passed, and it scares me. I don’t want to lose the only family I have left but I don’t always trust him.
And this thing with Landon is still so new.
I really don’t want my dad to scare him away.
Chapter Thirty-Three
