Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 40128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
After a long, cool shower, I wash all the grime off me, but I need a haircut and shave. You’d think I’ve been living in the wilderness instead of the edge of Steeleville, working on our future home. Before the haircut, I need to see my father to straighten some things out. Security opens the gate the moment my SUV pulls up. I give them a nod, getting a strange look from Damon. I can’t read it. The expression is a mix of fear and pride. I don’t like or trust it.
I enter the clubhouse courtyard where my father is working on his bike. “Pops, we need to talk.” It’s a Texas-hot day, but he doesn’t bother working in the shade. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he had a death wish.
He stands up, stretching out his long, broad frame and then dusts off his hands, giving me a wide smile. “Hey, boy, it’s good to see you. How are you doing?”
“Don’t you need a water or something, Pops?”
“I could go for a beer, but let’s go grab a water because I’m waiting for that gorgeous mother of yours to get her booty over here soon.” He grins like he’s won a prize. They make being in love a freaking breeze. In all the years they’ve been married, I’d only heard them argue a dozen times, but they weren’t even real arguments, and they were about each other’s safety.
We enter the clubhouse, and he pulls two waters from the cooler behind the bar, tossing me one.
I twist open the bottle and take a long drink before setting the drink down on the bar.
“So—you going to tell me what’s going on?”
I raise my brows, rubbing my hands together. “It’s about that time.” Today’s the annual Steele barbeque, and I’m going to see her for the first time. We can finally have that talk before we celebrate her birthday tomorrow.
“So you’re going to make your move tomorrow?” my father asks.
“Damn right, I am. There’s less than a day of waiting left, but there’s also something I want to talk to you about.”
My father frowns, a sigh falling from his lips. “You’re not ready to take over, are you?”
“Pops, I was born ready. I don’t know why you ever thought I wasn’t planning to take over. Every single one of the guys follows my lead, and I join in everything we do.”
“I just figured with college and your past that maybe you had bigger plans.”
“Pops, what bigger plans? Steeleville is its own entity. The Riders are important to all of us, to the town, to all our families and friends, and to the safety of everyone around. It’s Who. We. Are. I’d like nothing more, and my degree only adds to everything you’ve built.”
He smiles at me, dusting off his hands again on his pants before pulling me into his arms. “Damn, boy, you’re going to make me cry. Don’t tell your mother,” he says, choking up a little.
“Too late,” my mother says, coming from the clubhouse doorway with a smirk on her face aimed directly at my father. She turns to me and says, “How are you, my son?” My mother has always had a soft spot for me as her oldest baby boy. Even when I fuck up, she’s on my side, guiding me to fix everything.
“I’m good, Mother.” It’s not quite the truth, but what can I tell her? Honesty won’t help the situation.
“You look handsome,” she says, pulling me in for a hug and brushing the top of my hair that is way too damn long. “Although, you need to stop running your hands through your hair.”
“Yeah, I can’t help it.” I miss the fuck out of Melanie, and it has been brutal avoiding her. Every time I think of Melanie, I want to break every speed limit to get to her. The temptation is excruciating.
“Well, don’t pull your hair out or you’ll go bald, and I don’t think Melanie would like that very much.” She smiles and pats my cheek. I’d gladly go bald if it was Lanie pulling my hair while screaming my name as she rode my cock. The thought makes my balls ache, which isn’t smart in front of my mother.
“Well, I’ll see you both later. I still have to prepare for the big day tomorrow.”
“Good luck, Son. Let us know if you need any help with Beast. He’s not going to be pleased with his baby girl getting a boyfriend.”
“More like a husband.” My parents’ eyes widen, and a smirk spreads across my father’s face. He shakes his head and pulls my mother into his arms.
“I wish you the best, Son, and I have your back.”
“Thanks.” I hop into my SUV and drive off. There is a lot to do, including getting a new haircut for today. My beard has gotten a little scruffy and so long that I could almost be mistaken for my father if it wasn’t for the color and my lack of tats. Pulling up to the only haircutting spot in town, I don’t see Max’s pickup in the lot. Fuck, please don’t tell me he’s not here today. I can’t look like shit before I see Melanie. We haven’t seen each other in months.