Page 26 of Infinitely Mine
Jacob hummed and swished his little bottom as he dropped some of the egg and picked it up with his fingers. He popped it into his mouth and finished the eggs, turning to Mammoth with a triumphant grin. “All done!”
“Good. We do the meat and cheese next.”
He gave Jacob instructions while sausage gravy bubbled in a pot on the stove, and he gave it a stir before removing it from the heat. It smelled delicious. In another pot, he stirred grits.
I sat at the table and observed, drinking a mimosa, totally relaxed.
The boys ordered me to sit because I had the day off from cooking and cleaning. What a wonderful gift.
They finished the breakfast pizza and placed it in the oven.
“What now, Daddy Mammoth?”
I froze. So did the big biker. We both breathed for a few seconds, and I decided to let the two of them work this out.
“If you call me Daddy Mammoth,” he replied, “I get to call you son. Is that okay?”
“Yeah. Helkin said you would.”
This. Kid.
“Well, son, we’re gonna cut up some fresh fruit next and set the table. Sound good?”
“Yep.”
“Then we’ll clean up some of our mess while we wait for the pizza to get done.”
And that was precisely what they did.
We shared a fantastic breakfast, and I stretched out on the couch as they finished the cleanup. It had been a long week at the diner, and my eyes had closed. I didn’t remember falling asleep until I felt warm lips pressed to my forehead.
“Hey, Gorgeous. You wanna sleep the day away?” His teasing tone brought a smile to my face.
“No. I want to spend time with you.”
I sat up as he leaned back. “Where’s Jacob?”
“Playing in his room. He said he had pictures to draw and superheroes to send on missions.” He snickered. “I sure love that kid. He’s something else.”
“You love him?” I repeated. Why was I so surprised? It wasn’t like I couldn’t see it. I never met a man so ready to love a child that wasn’t his own. It took a lot and someone special to raise another man’s child, to let him into his heart, and give him his name. Mammoth didn’t hide the fact that he wanted all of it.
“Babe, you’ve got to stop thinkin’ what we’ve got is like everyone else. It’s not.” He smirked. “Loving the two of you just comes naturally.”
The two of us.
“Waylen?”
“Yeah, Gorgeous, it’s a lot for you to take in. I get that. At some point, we’re gonna have to talk about your past. It doesn’t have to be today or next week, but we’re getting closer to needin’ it done so we can move beyond it. You understand what I’m sayin’?”
“No secrets?” I guessed.
“No secrets,” he confirmed. “For either of us.”
Okay. Wow. Was he suggesting there were things I didn’t know? Dangerous things?
“Don’t look so scared, Rowen. My life in the club is a bit complicated, and we’ll discuss that when you’re ready. I’m thevice president and have a lot of responsibilities. It’s not as scary as you’re thinkin’.”
But was that true? I involved myself and my vulnerable young son with a biker club. Men who lived outside of the law more than they obeyed it. And yet, I saw more honor, loyalty, and respect from Mammoth and his brothers than in any circle of people I’d ever met.