by Kay Marie
“What makes you think I want something?”
“Mila, you’re my little sister. I’m not stupid.”
“Okay,” she draws out. “Can I come visit for a month or two before I move to Baton Rouge?”
“Have you talked to Mom about this?”
“Yes. I wouldn’t have called and asked you if I hadn’t,” she sasses. What is it with the women in my life being so fucking sassy?
“And she’s okay with it,” I ask.
“Yes, Jared. She even plans to stay a few days, too.”
“When are you thinkin’ you wanna come?”
“End of May, beginning of June, maybe?”
“How long would you be here ’til?”
“End of July-ish.”
“You do know I don’t have my own place out here, right? That I’ve been livin’ at the clubhouse?”
“What about Tink’s house?”
“I’ll have to talk to her before I just agree to it. Can I call you back later?”
“Yeah, of course. Talk to you later.” She hangs up before I can say anything else. I walk back into the room.
“Who was that,” Tink asks. She’s still sitting with Wren but has Fallon in her arms again. Meanwhile Wren is holding Belle like a baby.
“My little sister. She wants to come stay with me before she moves to Baton Rouge for college,” I tell everyone. I open the camera app on my phone and take a picture of Tink and Wren.
“Doesn’t she know you live at the clubhouse,” Sketch asks.
“She can stay at my house,” Tink blurts out. Her cheeks turn pink. “I was going to talk to you and Hollywood about it later, but I was going to ask the two of you to move in with me.”
“Eeeek,” Wren squeals. “I love this. I love all of this.”
Tink giggles.
“If you’re sure that’s what you want, I’d be honored to move in with you.” I move to her side and kiss her forehead.
“H, what about you?” Tink locks eyes with him.
“You really want us to?” Knowing some of what he’s been through in the past, I can tell he’s fighting with his insecurities about this.
“Of course I do,” she says.
“Then, yes. I’d love to.” He gives her a small smile. I’ll have to pull him aside later and talk to him about it.
After another thirty minutes or so of talking with Wren and Sketch, we decide to leave and let them rest. Tink promises to visit them again as soon as they’re settled in at home. The three of us head to Tink’s house, soon to be our house.
“I’m going to hop in the shower. Then maybe we can order some food and watch a movie?” She suggests.
“Sounds like a plan to me,” I reply.
“I’m down,” Hollywood adds.
Tink smiles and heads to her room.
“Somethin’ botherin’ you about movin’ in with me and Tink?”
“I just want her to be sure about this. It’s a big step for all of us,” he tells me.
“I know I can speak for her when I say this, even if neither of us have voiced it yet. But, H, we love you. You complete both of us. What the three of us have is far from normal, but it feels one hundred percent right. I don’t know how I did life without either of you for so long. And you’re right, it’s a huge step. I’m confident in this choice because I’m confident y’all are my forever,” I explain to him.
“To me, it seems like this all comes so much easier for y’all. Maybe it’s because of my past, I’m not sure. I do know that I love both of you more than I could ever explain, and it scares the shit out of me.” He pauses for a beat. “I’ll take this leap. I trust y’all to catch me.”
I cup his face in my hand and kiss him. A sweet, gentle, slow kiss.
35
Tink
After my shower, I slip into some sweats and a tank top and head back to the living room. Diesel and Hollywood are both in sweats and t-shirts without their cuts on. Hollywood has his infamous black hat on backward. They’re both more comfortable with their feelings. Diesel has one of his legs thrown over Hollywood’s and they’re flipping through Netflix for something to watch.
“Can I just say how much I adore seeing the two of you together?” I finally let my presence be known.
“There’s our girl.” Hollywood smiles at me.
“What are you cravin’ for dinner tonight, Pixie,” Diesel asks.
“The Mexican restaurant down the street is doing delivery now. How about that?”
“I could get down on some Mexican food,” Diesel says.
“Let’s do it,” Hollywood adds.
I pull up the website on my phone, selecting the delivery option. I select two orders of queso. Knowing these two, that still won’t be enough for the three of us. For myself, I pick a chicken quesadilla.
“Alright, what do y’all want,” I ask.
“Chicken enchiladas for me, please,” Hollywood says.
“I’ll have the steak fajita burrito,” Diesel tells me.
“You got queso too, right?” Hollywood eyes me.
“Two orders.” I stick my tongue out him.
“Atta girl.” He grins. “Now keep that tongue to yourself unless you wanna put it to use.”
I roll my eyes. Confirming the order, I set my phone down and move to the couch. Diesel pulls me so I’m sitting with my legs over his, which is still over Hollywood, and I’m in the middle of them.
“The food should be here in about twenty minutes or so,” I tell them.
“Perfect. Now to pick a movie.” Hollywood sighs. He starts scrolling through the movies again.
“How about Triple Frontier?” I suggest.
“Good choice,” Diesel says.
“Before we start the movie, I thought we could talk about what I said earlier,” I tell them.
“About us moving in,” Diesel asks.
I nod my head.
“We’re both in,” Hollywood informs me.
“What? Really?” I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.
“Really, really.” Hollywood chuckles.
“Best news ever.” I snuggle into Hollywood’s side and he plays the movie. “I love you both so much.”
Hollywood kisses the top of my head. “We love you too, T.”
Six weeks later
I wake up to an empty bed. Diesel and Hollywood both had to work today and I wasn’t waking up as early as them. I haven’t gone to work all week because I’ve been feeling like death. I’ve woken up feeling nauseous every day for the past four days. The only things that have helped are sleeping and peppermint tea. But the tea only helps if I keep drinking it. I’ll be drinking it all day today because today is the final fitting for my bridesmaid dress for Marley’s wedding. I should be able to bring it home today, too.
I climb out of bed, heading straight for the bathroom to pee and brush my teeth. I take my time brushing my teeth so I don’t end up with my face in the toilet, dry heaving. When I’m done, I go back to my room to change. Diesel has been taking Belle with him to Savage Repairs so I’m able to nap throughout the day. He and Hollywood have been saints with me this week. I’m not sure what’s going on with myself, but they’ve taken care of me every day, without a fuss.
I slip out of my pajamas and slide on some cropped leggings and an oversized t-shirt. Cute and comfy. I fluff up my hair, grab my phone, and walk out to the living room. Aria touched up my pink a couple days ago so it would be ready for the wedding on Saturday. I’m so excited for Marley and Rascal to get married.
Grabbing my car keys and a bottle of peppermint tea Diesel made for me, I shoot Diesel and Hollywood a text, letting them know I’m leaving to meet up with the girls. The plan is to go try on our dresses one last time, then grab a bite to eat. Hopefully, the nausea will subside long enough for me to eat.
I arrive at the bridal shop twenty minutes later. Marley and Minx are already here. Marley was able to pick up her dress over the weekend, so we’re here strictly for the brid
esmaid dresses. I was chosen to be her maid of honor. I park my car and climb out, meeting them by the front door of the bridal shop.
“Hey, Tink!” Marley wraps me in a hug. “Feeling any better today?”
“Not really, but I’m pushing through.”
“Are you pregnant?” Minx bursts out.
“Minx!” Marley slaps her arm.
“What? It’s a serious question.” She turns back to me, waiting for an answer. Before I get a chance to respond, Sienna and Cali walk up. “We’ll talk more later.”
“Who’s ready for their last fitting?” Marley grins.
“Can you believe you’re getting married in two days?” Sienna giggles.
“Honestly, it’s still so surreal. I probably still won’t believe it when I’m standing in front of him saying our vows.” Marley laughs.
We walk into the shop and the woman who helps us every time walks right up to us.
“Welcome, ladies! I have your dresses ready in fitting rooms for you. Ready to see them,” she asks.
There’s a round of yeses and head nods. She takes us back, showing each of us to our fitting room while Marley takes a front-row seat to wait for us to change. This shop has hundreds of different styles of dresses from Azazie. It was hard for us to choose the dresses we liked best. Marley only cared about the color of the dresses and let us pick a style that we like best. Sienna and I will be wearing dusty rose-colored dresses and Minx and Cali will be wearing a dusty sage. I get changed and walk out of the fitting room.
“Oh, Tink! It’s perfect!” Marley gushes. “How do you like it?”
“I love it! And it fits like a glove.”
One by one the other girls come out in their dresses, too. Everyone is more than happy with their dresses. We all four picked some kind of spaghetti strap dress, yet they’re all still so different, like each of us.
36
Hollywood
Today is the day Rascal and Marley get married. With Tink being her maid of honor, I haven’t seen her since yesterday afternoon. Her, Marley, Minx, Sienna, and Cali stayed at Minx’s house last night for a night of pampering before all the craziness of today. As for us, we’ve been helping out around the clubhouse, getting everything in order for the ceremony and reception.
With all this wedding stuff going on, it has me thinking more and more about mine, Tink and Diesel’s future. I don’t think the three of us getting married is in the cards, but there’s got to be something we can do. I’ll have to remember to talk to them about it sometime.
Living with them has been the best. I never imagined I’d end up settling down, let alone settling down with a man and a woman. It works for us and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Once everything is ready for the wedding, I head to my room to shower and get ready. Rascal asked me to be his best man and lucky for us guys, we get to wear jeans, a button-up shirt, and our cuts. I’ll be wearing some pinkish color to match Tink. I have no idea what her dress looks like, only that my shirt will match it.
After my shower, I get dressed and am about to do something with my hair when there’s a knock at the door.
“Come in,” I shout.
Diesel walks in and freezes when his eyes land on me.
“You clean up nice.” He smirks.
“Thanks.” I give him a small smile.
“What’s wrong?”
“Today just got me thinkin’,” I tell him.
“What about?”
“The three of us. Our future.” It’s gotten a lot easier for me to open up and talk to Tink and Diesel about my emotions. They don’t make me feel wrong for anything I feel, even if I’m mad about something stupid. And I love them that much more for it.
“Getting married,” he asks.
I nod.
“We don’t need some piece of paper saying you’re my husband or that Tink is my wife. Everyone who’s anyone knows the three of us belong to each other and they understand. Fuck what anyone else thinks.”
“Don’t you think Tink will want a wedding someday?”
“Honestly, I’ve never heard her talk about it. If she does, then we’ll give her a wedding. Just without the paperwork. I’m sure she and I could even get our last names changed,” he suggests.
“To what? Mine? Fuck that. I’d rather her and I take your last name. You at least talk to your family still.” I hang my head.
“Hey, look at me,” he demands. I lift my eyes to his. “We’re your family. Me, Tink, and the rest of the club. Now let’s get out there with our family and watch as two of our best friends get married.”
“Thanks for the pep talk.” I chuckle.
“Anytime, H.” He gives me a quick kiss and leaves the room. I walk into the bathroom and gel my hair back then head outside.
Twenty minutes later, a photographer has all the guys together taking pictures. It’s another twenty minutes before we’re done and lining up to get the ceremony started. When Tink walks out with the other women, my jaw hits the ground. The pinkish dress with her pink hair is stunning. The dress fits her like it was made for her, hugging her curves in all the right places and the leg slit makes it sexy without being too sexy.
“Hey, gorgeous,” I whisper in her ear, leaving a kiss just below her ear.
“Hey, yourself handsome.” She winks at me. “You ready for this?”
“With you by my side, I’m ready for anything.”
We wait our turn to walk down the aisle. Being the maid of honor and best man, we are the last ones before the bride. I can’t hold back my smile as we walk together. I honestly had no interest in getting married, but something about Tink and Diesel makes it more intriguing. Piece of paper or not, I want to spend the rest of my life with both of them, and I want to do something big to show them and everyone else.
The entire ceremony, I focus only on Tink. I can’t take my eyes off her. I know she notices by the way her cheeks turn pink. I watch as a couple of tears fall from her eyes during Marley and Rascal’s vows. Once the ceremony is over, the whole wedding party takes pictures together. It’s another thirty minutes before we’re released to go eat and dance at the reception.
At the reception, there’s a head table for Marley and Rascal. The rest of the wedding party is free to sit wherever. Lucky for us, Diesel has two spots saved for us at a table with Sienna, Shade, Raze, Minx, and Rivet.
“The two of you look amazing tonight,” Diesel says as we sit.
“Thank you,” Tink replies. “So do you.”
I give him a chin lift. It’s not very often any of us get dressed up like this, but Diesel in a blue, short sleeve pearl snap is hot as hell. I wouldn’t mind seeing him and Tink dressed up more.
A couple of announcements are made and the bride and groom get their food first. Once they’re seated, a prospect starts going around, letting one table at a time go through the food line.
“Good ol’ Texas barbecue.” I chuckle.
“The best there is,” Tink adds.
“After we eat, I need to go feed Belle,” Diesel says when we are back at the table. “She’ll be hungry soon.”
“And if you don’t feed her on time, she’ll be mad at you.” Tink laughs.
“She’s a little spitfire when she’s mad.” Diesel chuckles.
“She gets it from her mama,” I add.
“Hey!” Tink laughs again.
Popping in the distance catches my attention. I barely hear it over the sound of the music.
“Stay here,” I tell Tink. I stand from the table.
“Where are you going?”
“I’ll be right back.” I give Diesel a look to let him know I’m serious about her staying put and walk toward the clubhouse. The pops get louder and it’s then I recognize it as gunshots.
“Fuck!”
37
Diesel
“What do you think he’s doing,” Tink asks when Hollywood is out of earshot.
“I’m not sure.” I glance in the direction where he took off.
He seemed worried about something. Tink is more than likely running every worst-case scenario through her head. I decide to do something to help distract her. “Let’s go dance.”
I stand and hold my hand out to her. She smiles, taking my hand and standing. Call You Mine by the Chainsmokers is playing. It’s something upbeat enough to have some fun. I pull her out to the dance floor and twirl her a couple of times, earning a giggle from her. About halfway through the song, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and Hollywood’s name flashes across the screen.
“I gotta take this. It’s H.” I walk off the dance floor. “What’s up?”
“Take the women to the bunker and get some of the guys to come out front. The Cartel is here and tryin’ to break through the front gate. We need as many men as possible,” he explains.
“On it.” I hang up and glance around for Bull.
“Diesel, what’s going on,” Tink asks.
“Help me find Bull and I’ll let you know,” I tell her.
“He’s on the other side of the tent.”
I grab her hand and hurry to where Bull is talking to Ratchet. “Bull, Hollywood called and said the Cartel is tryin’ to break in.”
Tink gasps beside me.
“Have Mouse and the prospects get the women into the bunker and I’ll round up the guys,” Bull states. He’s always calm in situations like this and I don’t know if it’s more creepy or badass. Thank fuck the Nomads are here because we’ll need them.
“Diesel, what about Belle?” Tink whispers to me.
“I’ll get her and bring her to you. Go tell Minx and them what’s goin’ on and I’ll get Mouse.”
“Okay.” She starts to walk away.
“Tink,” I say, stopping her. I take two steps, closing the gap between us, cup her face in my hands and kiss her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She gives me a small smile and walks away.
I find Mouse and hurry to him. “Hey, I need you and the prospects to get all the women and get to the bunker now.”