Her face lit up like the Fourth of July. “Now you’re speakin’ my language.”
The sun was settingby the time we pulled up to the Kings compound in my rented Suburban.
My grandfather had insisted on driving, snatching the keys right out of my hands with a gruff, “If I have to ride in a fuckin’ cage, I’m damn sure gonna be the one drivin’ it.”
He was stubborn as a mule like that.
Throwing open my door, I dropped onto the gravel. Rounding the back of the truck, Sondra linked her arm through mine.
“Wow,” she whispered in awe.
I knew how she felt. I’d always felt the same way. The massive steel building that housed the clubhouse was quite a sight. As we approached, a swarm of butterflies took flight in my belly.
“You good?” she asked, squeezing my arm.
“Yeah,” I lied.
The second we stepped through the front door, the entire room erupted.
“SURPRISE!”
I jumped, my hand flying to my chest even though I’d known this was coming. The common room was packed with familiar faces, all grinning at me like I was a long-lost daughter who’d finally come home.
Tacoma shook his head, chuckling. “She knew there was a party!” he boomed.
Then he crossed the room in three long strides and pulled me into a bone-crushing bear hug as he lifted my feet clean off the floor. “Damn, it’s good to see you, little bit.”
“You too, Tacoma,” I said, using his road name. He’d always be Jude to me, but I remembered how things in the club worked.
Next to come over was Bane, who looked the exact same. “About damn time you came home,” he said, wrapping me up in his arms.
“I missed you too, Cooper-looper,” I laughed, using his nickname I used to call him when I was a little girl.
Journey was next, and he picked me up and spun me around until I was dizzy. “The Mad Hatter’s back!” he whooped, making me laugh despite myself.
“Don’t you start with that shit,” I warned, unable to keep the grin off my face as I turned to Sondra to make introductions. “This is my friend, Sondra.”
A round of “Sup,” went around the room.
First to approach was Tacoma’s ol’ lady, Foxy, who was absolutely gorgeous. She had long blonde hair with pale pink streaks and tattoo sleeves on both arms. She was also very heavily pregnant, with a protruding bump that looked so big on her dainty body that I was honestly afraid she might tip over. And she must have been a mind reader, because her bright green eyes sparkled with mischief as she hugged me carefully around her protruding belly. “I know. I look like I’m going to pop,” she giggled, then added, “It’s so nice to finally meet you, honey. Welcome home.”
“Thank you.” I smiled.
Protective as ever, Tacoma pulled her close and placed a protective hand over her bump.
Before I could congratulate him on the baby, Journey was in front of me with an adorable blonde over tucked into his side. “You’re gorgeous,” I blurted, making her blush. It was true though, and her makeup was absolutely flawless.
Johnny’s chest puffed up like a peacock. “Meet June, Hatter. She’s one of your biggest fans. She did a whole series on her TikTok channel dedicated to your look on the Rebel Road Tour.”
My brows went up. “Wow. I’m so honored. I can’t take any of the credit for that, though. I have a killer makeup team.” I said, making a mental note to ask her what foundation she used because it looked airbrushed. “Wait. Did you say June?” My eyes flicked between the two of them. They were seriously the cutest couple I think I’d ever seen.
Jonney rolled his eyes. “Yes.”
Oh, he knew exactly where I was going with that. “So, you’re... Johnny and June?” I snickered.
“Hardy-Har-Har. Laugh it up, Mad Hatter.”
And so I did. I burst out laughing. Not because it wasn’t adorable as hell that they were Johnny and June, but becausewhen we were kids, I’d call him Johnny Cash and it drove him crazy.
