Page 23 of Emergence: Prequel
“You’re on my sled with me, baby. Kyle’s going to drive the girls to the school.”
Excitement bubbled up in my gut. We hadn’t been for a ride since I’d moved in with Roman. With everything that had happened, we hadn’t found time. Hurrying to his sled, I found my helmet waiting for me on the seat. Picking it up, I got ready to put it on, watching as Roman handed Poppy to Kyle before he walked over to me with a sexy swagger that I’m sure he had no idea he had when he walked. My face flushed, and I squirmed a little as arousal shot through me as our gazes met. Biting my lip, I wondered if we had time to sneak off before leaving.
“Stop looking at me like that, sweetheart. It pains me to say this, but we don’t have time.”
“Raincheck?”
“Fuck yes, tonight you’re mine,” he agreed, taking my helmet from me, giving me a quick kiss before situating it on my head and doing it up. Once he was satisfied, only then did he swing a leg over his sled and start it up, holding his hand out to help me on. Settling down behind him, I wrapped my arms around his waist as he took off down the road to the clubhouse, with Kyle following behind us.
We were the last to arrive; everyone was waiting on us. A smile tugged at my lips when I saw Emily looking comfortable on the back of Red’s sled. Roman rode straight to the gate, and the others filtered in behind us, those in cages bringing up the rear.
God, I’d missed this. Unable to keep the exuberant feeling in, I gripped Roman hard with my thighs and threw my hands up in the air, laughter bubbling out of me. Behind me, there was a cacophony of female cries and whoops. Roman gripped my calf; over his shoulder, I caught his eyes in the wing mirror, smiling as he winked at me. Leaning into him, I wrapped my arms around him, contentment like nothing else rose in me. It was like I’d been sleepwalking through life until this moment. Nomatter what life threw at us, I knew we’d be okay because this time I had a partner who loved and cared for me.
It was a heady feeling, and it carried me through the rest of the afternoon as we cheered and laughed, showing support for Ford, who’d flushed bright red when he’d seen the shirts all us ladies and girls were wearing, but I’d also seen the small smile that had tugged at his lips before he’d left us to join the rest of his teammates.
His embarrassment eased with every cheer and shout of his name throughout the game until eventually his shoulders were shaking with laughter at our actions, his grin wide on his face when he waved at us. His teammates were ragging on him, but I could see it was in good fun.
It had been years since I’d been to a high school football game, and I realised how much I’d missed this. It was a whole lot more fun coming as a group than by myself, though.
The hours had flown past. After the game, we’d come back and had the barbecue and celebration as we’d planned. Ford had brought several teenagers back with him, most of them boys. Lizzie and I’d laughed every time Cash and Roman had growled when they got a little too close to Maura and Rosie. Not that I had any worries about Rosie; she was sensible, as was Maura. It was fun to watch the two of them growling and scowling, though.
Food had been consumed, and alcohol was flowing. I was feeling very mellow after consuming the margaritas that Lizzie had made us. A bonfire had been lit, and chairs had been dragged closer. It was the first time in years that I’d been to one of these. I’d always left early because I’d not wanted to be around for what I knew was to come. But today had been good, family, a few select friends and club only. Not only was I feeling mellow, but I was also comfortable snuggled up on Roman’s lap, half listeningto his conversation with Cash and wondering if I should follow Emily home. Earlier, Emily had taken Poppy home with her, and I’d smiled in amusement when Red had made his excuses and followed them. Emily had rolled her eyes at me, but she’d not demurred. I think he was wearing her down.
A noise from the parking lot broke my contemplation of the fire and had me lifting my head from Roman’s shoulder to see what was happening. Walking towards us was a man that was vaguely familiar, probably about our age, with a shock of snow-white hair. Next to him was a very pregnant young girl, not much older than Rosie, and from the colour of her hair, she was definitely related to him.
What had me standing up from Roman’s lap and my eyebrows rising in surprise was Kyle pulling her into his arms and holding on tight. “What the fuck?! I swear if that boy has got someone pregnant and not told me, I’m going to beat his ass,” I muttered under my breath.
I’d not seen much of Kyle this afternoon because he’d been kept busy with prospect duties. I tore my gaze from Kyle to look for Rosie. She’d been sitting with the group of teens we’d brought back with us. She was hurrying towards her brother and the girl.
Roman wrapped his hand around my wrist and tugged slightly to get my attention. Standing up, he whispered in my ear, “Baby, that’s not what you think it is. The baby’s not Kyle’s, but he does know and care for her. What you are looking at is what could have been Rosie in a few months if Ford and the girls hadn’t stepped in. I asked them to come tonight; I can’t explain it all right now, but I will later when it’s just the two of us.”
Tilting my head, my gaze met his, the steady way he looked at me had me relaxing my shoulders. I could read between the lines;something was going down, and it would be soon, and he needed the girl here with us.
“Okay,” I agreed quietly, “but I’ll want answers, Roman.”
“And you’ll get them, baby, I promise. But for now, could you come with me and welcome Jessie and her father? I need your take on them because I’m considering offering him a job. I’ll explain why when we have our chat tonight.”
Nodding my agreement, I walked with Roman towards the huddle that consisted of my children and the newcomers. Cash and Lizzie followed along with us as I knew they would.
“You must be Blake,” Roman declared, holding his hand out in greeting.
“I am,” Blake answered. “This is my daughter, Jessie, and I see you know my son, Robbie, already.” He motioned towards the angry-looking boy who had accompanied Ford back to the clubhouse. He also had the same white hair that his father and sister had. The only difference was in their eyes. His eyes were a light blue, while his sister, who’d turned from Kyle when her dad had mentioned her name, had chocolate brown eyes, a stark contrast to her hair. The pain in those eyes had me wanting to wrap her in my arms, much the same way my son currently had her tucked up against him.
“I’m not sure why you asked for Jessie and me to be here so late, but Kyle and Robbie said it was urgent. Can you tell me what’s going on?” Blake questioned a little suspiciously.
“I can; there’s nothing to worry about,” Roman assured Blake, “this is my Old Lady, Stacey; she’s Kyle’s mom. And this is my girl, Rosie.” Roman wrapped his arm around Rosie’s shoulders as he introduced her.
“My sister, Lizzie,” Roman continued with the introductions, tilting his chin at Lizzie, who, like me, looked puzzled at what was going on. But we’d both been around the block and knew when to go with the flow. “And my VP, Cash. We have a few things we’d like to chat with you about. Stacey, Lizzie, and Rosie are going to look after Jessie while we have a chat.”
Blake and Jessie shared a look, then she tilted her head towards Kyle, who reassured her, “It’s okay, Butterfly; there’s nothing to worry about, like my president said. Plus, my mom is awesome, and you already know Rosie.”
I wanted to close my eyes and rub at my temples when I heard what my son called her. There might not be anything there now except friendship, and I’m not sure if he even realised the significance of what he’d called her. From a young boy, butterflies had fascinated him. That he’d called her that meant he more than cared for her.
“Okay,” she replied softly, then straightened her shoulders and let her arm drop from around Kyle’s waist, standing tall. “I’ll be okay, Dad.”
I’d often wondered what type of person my children would end up with and hoped they’d end up with someone I liked. From the little Roman had told me earlier when I’d first seen them, I knew that this girl was made of steel and would handle whatever life threw at her, no matter how hard it was. I had a feeling that I’d like her very much.
“That’s great,” Rosie chirped, wrapping her arm through Jessie’s. “Come on, let’s go up to the house. We’ve got all sorts of snacks and ice cream; we can have a movie marathon while my dad chats with yours. It will be more comfortable for you too. Do you know what you’re having?”