Page 139 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

The dogs bounded downstairs with Lucas after his shower. He looked handsome in a navy sweater and jeans, and he looked tired, but he also looked so damn happy, Doc knew today was a day neither of them would ever forget.

“Wow, you look great.” Doc ran his hand over Lucas’s head. “How does it feel?”

“It’s gonna take some getting used to, but Layla said I look hot.” Lucas had taken dozens of pictures, and selfies with Doc and Tiny and all the guys and had sent a number of them while they were still at the clubhouse.

“Of course. I mean, you look like me and your mom, and there’s nothing better than that.” He laughed. “Seriously though, hotness has nothing to do with hair or bone structure or eye color. Hotness comes from who you are on the inside resonating to the outside. I just want you to know, I understand all these changes are hard, and your mom and I couldn’t be prouder of you for the way you’re handling things.”

“Thanks. I’d be really messed up without you and Mom and everyone else helping me through it.”

“Support helps, but you’re stronger than you think, Rodeo. There’s nothing you can’t handle. We’d better get going. We don’t want to keep the guys waiting.”

As they grabbed their coats, Lucas said, “I still can’t believe Gus showed up and got his head shaved.” Ezra’s father, Pep, had brought Gus to the clubhouse when they’d almost finished with everyone else. Ezra had gotten both of them on video, while Dare and Tiny shaved their heads. “You weren’t kidding when you said your family never leaves anyone out. Pep said he’ll be at dinner tonight, too.”

“That’s right. He and Ezra had a lot of rough years, but things are better now.” As they headed out, Doc handed him the keys.

“We’re not walking?”

They’d had a big day, and Doc knew Lucas might putter out early, but he wasn’t about to say that. “It’ll be cold and dark after dinner. I’m pretty sure your mom would rather we drove.”

When they got to the main house, Gus ran over to them. “Hurry! I can’t wait to see Sugar’s face when she sees my hair!”

Doc picked him up and kissed his cheek. “You and Lucas are going to be stealing hearts and taking names.”

“I don’t want anybody’s heart but my Sugar’s,” Gus exclaimed.

“And I’m good with Layla’s,” Lucas said.

“I wanna see Layla!” Gus said, wriggling out of Doc’s hands as they joined Tiny, Dare, Cowboy, Ezra, Rebel, Taz, and Hyde. “Is she coming to dinner?”

“Not tonight. She’s with her family,” Lucas said. “But maybe I’ll see if she can come over tomorrow.”

“Are we ready to do this?” Tiny asked. He had his bandanna tied around his head again.

“Yeah. I hope the girls don’t get mad at everyone,” Lucas said.

“If they do, we’ll tell them to talk to you,” Dare joked.

“I’ll hide behind Doc,” Lucas said, and they all laughed as they filed through the door.

When they entered the dining area, Tiny threw his hands up and said, “Happy Thanksgiving!”

There was a collective gasp. Birdie squealed and ran over, leading the pack, sparking a flurry of commotion as the women all talked at once with surprise and delight.

“Mom, look at Dad!” Birdie yanked Tiny down by the front of his shirt and ran her hand over his head. “I love this!” She grabbed Lucas next, tugging him down, too. “You look badass! Layla better watch out. There might be a stampede of girls at your next competition.”

As his mother and the girls fawned over Lucas and Gus and the rest of the guys, Doc’s attention remained locked on Juliette, standing back with tears in her eyes and a hand covering her mouth. He went to her. “You okay, darlin’?”

“No,” she said with a laugh, tears streaking her cheeks. “You did this for him, didn’t you?”

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him, but I just announced what I was doing, and the guys made their own decisions. The whole club took part.”

“Seeley, look how happy he is.” Lucas was taking a selfie with Wynnie, Tiny, and Gus. “I can’t even…” She threw her arms around Doc. “I love you so much.”

“That’s good, because I was a little worried you only liked me for my hair.”

She kissed him, and as she stepped back, Lucas didn’t just walk over. He swaggered, which was new, and said, “What do you think, Mom?”

She rubbed the top of his head, and then she caressed his cheek and said, “I’m wondering where my baby boy went. You look so grown-up and handsome and so much like Seeley, it takes my breath away.”