Page 61 of Hash

Her car is one bump away from the fender falling off because it’s so rusted out.

“It has better airbags,” she snaps. “And I know his seat can be installed properly.”

I tilt my head back as I close my eyes, exhaling loudly. “Is this the only way you’re going to come?”

“Don’t act like I’m being dramatic here, Lachlan! I take our son’s safety very seriously,” she says, her voice full of attitude.

“Alright, baby doll. Load him up in your car, but I’m driving,” I say, giving in. Aisling shoots me a victorious smile, and she walks to her car to get Cormac settled, leaving me to grab the bags. “Why do you need so many bags? If anyone is moving somewhere, it’s going to be my ass moving here.”

“It’s Cormac’s stuff. He usually does well with new places, but I want him to be as comfortable as possible just in case, so I brought a little bit of everything,” Aisling says, her still body half in the car.

She didn’t acknowledge my moving-in comment, but I didn’t hear a “That’s not happening, Lachlan,” so that’s a yes in my book. She just doesn’t know what she agreed to silently.

“Keys, babe,” I call to her once she’s out of the car and opening up the passenger-side door.

Aisling tosses them over the hood of the car for me to catch.

“Nervous?” I ask as I back out of her driveway.

Her hands are pressed between her thighs as she moves her thumbs back and forth. She’s sitting up straight with her back flush against the seat.

Aisling’s eyes flick to me. “I’m okay.”

My hand that was resting on the center console moves to her thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze before pulling her left hand out and intertwining it with mine. “They’re going to love you.” Some of them might a little too much. Cain will keep Evan in check. It’s Cyrus and Trick I’m worried about.

She gives me a tight smile but says nothing.

“What’s wrong?” I ask as I bring her hands up to my lips and place a kiss on hers.

“Nothing. It’s stupid.”

“Nothing is stupid when it comes to you. Tell me.”

“What if they don’t love me though?” Aisling bites her bottom lip, looking worried. “This is your family. If they hate me, then it’s all over. I’ve never met anyone’s family before. I don’t know how to do this. I’m going to fuck it up,” she rants.

“Hey,” I say, bringing her attention back to me. “Just be yourself and everything will fall into place. There isn’t one person in the club, brothers or old ladies, who is alike. We’re all a bunch of mismatched fuckheads, and that’s why we work.”

“I’ll try.” She gives me a tight smile.

By the time we pull into the clubhouse, Aisling’s leg is bouncing up and down. There’s nothing I can do. This is something she needs to see herself that everything is going to be fine.

“Is that your Mustang too?” Aisling points to Evan’s Dark Horse parked out front as we get out of the car.

“Nah, that’s Prez’s old lady’s car. I’m more of a classic car guy.” Not that I wouldn’t mind taking it for a spin.

“Ahh.” Aisling nods her head as she moves to the backseat to grab Cormac in his baby carrier.

“I got him,” I tell her, grabbing the handle.

Aisling hesitates before grabbing the bags and stepping out of the way.

“Ready to meet your family, little man?” I ask him, my wide eyes staring back at me.

“He can’t really talk yet. Mama and babble is about all he can do,” Aisling says as she follows behind me.

“Jesus.” I laugh. “I know I’m new to this, but I’m not that big of a fucking idiot. I know he can’t talk yet.”

I’m going to let that one slide. No sense in ruining the day over one of her sassy-ass comments. I know most of it stems from her being nervous.