Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 94313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 472(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 472(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“Good grief,” Heather snapped, looking at the car. “You weren’t wearing a seat belt when you did that?”
“I was distracted,” I mumbled with a sigh. “I braced both feet on the floorboard and my arms were locked because I was so scared. My belly never even touched the steering wheel.”
“Well, thank God for small mercies,” she replied, reaching out to pat my hand.
The club was a hive of activity when we got there. We had to wait in line at the gate as each car was checked and let through. By the time we pulled up to the clubhouse, there was very little parking and there were people everywhere. Moms were unloading cars and directing kids carrying sleeping bags and backpacks, men were closing the big garage bays and directing traffic, a couple of older ladies were helping where they could, holding babies and ushering little ones through the front door, and behind us more vehicles were finding places to park.
“Before we go in,” Heather said as she put the SUV in park. “A couple of things. One, there are a hell of a lot of people in there and with that comes a lot of squabbles and bullshit. Ignore it. Stay close to us, and you won’t accidentally step in shit. Two, Otto doesn’t have his own room so someone might tell you to find a corner to put your stuff. If they do, tell them to fuck off, that you’re staying in Tommy’s room. Alright? No way is my pregnant daughter-in-law sleeping on the fucking floor.”
“I don’t have any stuff,” I replied quietly. I wasn’t going to tell anyone to fuck off. Ever.
“Honey, didn’t you see them pulling your stuff out of the house? You and Otto have a couple of bags of clothes and who knows what else in the back.” She pointed with her thumb to the back of the SUV. “I can’t guarantee they got what you actually need, because they’re men, but they did grab some clothes.”
“Oh.” I looked back but couldn’t see anything.
“Can’t guarantee they got anything that matches, but you won’t be naked.”
I followed her out of the car and both of us wrinkled our noses when Heather opened the back hatch.
“Don’t worry,” she said, reaching for a duffel bag. “We’ve got a couple of industrial washers and dryers in the back. We’ll get the smoke smell out.”
Otto reached us and grabbed my suitcase and another bag, ushering us toward the building. It was even more chaotic inside. I’d thought that everyone from the club had shown up for our wedding, but there were easily twice as many people there for the lockdown. Otto didn’t even pause to say hello to anyone as he strode toward the back hallway, with Heather and I following behind like a couple of ducklings.
Tommy and Heather’s room was as warm and inviting as the last time I’d been there, and without waiting for an invitation, I dropped onto the edge of the bed.
“You set?” Otto asked, putting his hand on my cheek. “I gotta go check in and see what’s happening.”
“We’re fine,” Heather said from across the room. “Go.”
“I’m good,” I confirmed.
With a kiss, he was gone.
“Oh, and number three,” Heather said dryly, looking at me over her shoulder. “Lockdowns are mind-numbingly boring. That’s probably why everyone starts sniping at each other.”
“This is some bullshit,” Otto’s aunt Rose announced as she came through the door. “I had shit to do today.”
“Well, Esther had a pipe bomb thrown through her front window,” Heather said in amusement. “So.”
“No shit?” Rose asked, looking at me. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“She also crashed the Mustang.”
“Otto’s baby?” Rose’s eyes widened as she laughed. “Okay, tell me everything.”
The door was wide open so women and children flowed in and out, visiting and making sure I was okay for the next half an hour. Most of them I’d met, but there was a surprising amount that I hadn’t. It didn’t matter. Every single one asked if we were alright and told me to let them know if they could help in any way.
“They’re a good group,” Heather said, sitting on the floor, her legs stretched out in front of her with her legs crossed at the ankles. Rhett was driving tiny motorcycles over her knees like they were ramps.
“None of them can actually do shit,” Otto’s cousin Charlie said wryly. “But we can. I’m sure Bishop has already talked to Otto about fixing the house. Don’t stress. He’ll make it a priority.”
“How’s business?” Heather asked.
“His or mine?” Charlie asked, smiling. “Both are phenomenal. People always need coffee and homes.”
I tuned them out and rubbed absentmindedly at my back. Now that I was relaxing on Heather’s bed, my muscles were beginning to protest from the little accident I’d been in. My lower back, shoulders, arms, and legs were all starting to ache.