Tequila Blues: A Second Chance Romance (Serrated Brotherhood MC Book 3)

by Bijou Hunter

  Now they’re on the jungle gym in the park next to the condo building. I stand nearby, arms crossed, making very clear how I don’t want any of the moms or nannies talking to me. My gaze remains locked on my two small people as they play alone, as disinterested in the other kids as I am in the adults.

  I hear a Harley pull into the lot where condo guests park. Glancing back, I see my father climbing off his hog and smoothing out his thick hair. He’s such a diva about his ’do. I probably will be too at his age.

  Focused on the kids again, I hope Mojo is looking for Camden, or maybe he’s got a slut at the condo. Of course, my brother isn’t home, and I’d know about any hookup hussy in my building. Nothing in Hickory Creek stays quiet for long.

  “Hey, boy,” Mojo says, patting me hard on the back. “We need to talk.”

  “Then talk.”

  “Inside.”

  “I can’t leave,” I say, gesturing with my chin toward Keanu and Chevelle in the sand.

  Mojo looks at them for a long time, and I realize he doesn’t know who the hell the kids belong to.

  “You seriously don’t recognize Howler’s granddaughter?” I ask. “Bonn’s daughter, Chevelle.”

  Mojo gives me a dark frown. “What the hell is this?”

  “I’m watching Chevelle and Harmony’s son, Keanu. I know it looked like something completely different and that’s why you’re so confused by something others might find so obvious.”

  “You can never just say what you need to say.”

  “I don’t think I was raised well. I mean, Mom did her best, but I didn’t have a great male role model.”

  “What about Erik?”

  “The man never speaks. I think he lost his tongue in the war.”

  “What war?”

  Giving him a double shoulder shrug, I say, “I don’t know. What possible wars can I choose from?”

  “So, this is you now, huh? Playing the father to someone else’s kid.”

  “Are you talking about Chevelle or Keanu?”

  “You know what I’m talking about,” he growls, losing his patience.

  “Sometimes, a man needs to step into a family and take on the role of the missing parent. Erik did it in my family. I’m doing it for Keanu.”

  “You’re in a wonderful fucking mood.”

  “Well, maybe I feel emotionally attacked by your accusatory tone. You brought this on yourself with your bad attitude.”

  “I need to talk business.”

  “Then you can come back later, or you can wait until the kids are done playing.”

  “This is ridiculous,” he says, walking away and then turning back around. “I order you to take them inside now.”

  “Yes, sir. I should warn you that Keanu will cry loudly. Are you cool with that?”

  Mojo sighs loudly, sounding so pissed I nearly burst into laughter. How close is he to yanking off his belt and giving me a whooping?

  “How long until they’re done?”

  “I don’t know. Why don’t you go ask them?”

  “Why the fuck would…?”

  “Language, Father.”

  Around us, mothers, nannies, and that one stay-at-home father give us disapproving looks. I smirk at them, daring them to make a stink about my dad’s dirty mouth.

  “Give them ten minutes,” I mutter when Mojo eyeballs me for long enough.

  “You shouldn’t let your girlfriend push you into babysitting duty. Might as well hand over your balls at this rate.”

  “No offense, President, but I don’t take romance advice from a man whose last real relationship was over twenty-five years ago with my mom.”

  “Boy, you’re pissing on my last nerve.”

  “That’s all I ever wanted you to say, Daddy.”

  Mojo finally smiles. “You’re such an ass. I blame your mother for spoiling you.”

  “You’re thinking of Camden who got spoiled. I’ve worked hard for everything I’ve ever gotten. That’s why I have that huge chip on my handsome shoulder.”

  “I’m about ready to punch you in the head.”

  “In front of all these kids? Damn, I’ve heard old people lose their social skills, but you’re taking the shitting cake there.”

  I walk away from my father before he can reply. His anger entertains me, but I know I need to zip it soon or he really will punch me in the head. No way am I fucking up my babysitting duty by ending up with a concussion.

  I squat down next to where Keanu and Chevelle sit in the sand. Harmony’s little man grips Carl in his hand, and I’m relieved he hasn’t lost it. Talk about another way to make me look like a crappy babysitter.

  “See that guy?”

  “Mojo?” Chevelle asks, surprising me by recognizing him.

  “Yeah. That’s my dad, and he says I need to go inside in a few minutes, or he’ll get mad, and I’ll be in trouble.”

  Keanu kills me with his worried expression. His eyes widen, and he pats my arm. The kid is concerned about me. If he weren’t tiny, he’d probably promise to have my back against the giant biker man.

  “For lunch, you can eat leftover pizza.”

  Chevelle smiles immediately, making me wonder if Ruby and Bonn are crappy parents who never feed their kid awesome fast food. Ugh, I bet they have salads for dinner. That would explain how Bonn looks like a male pinup model rather than a real man like me.

  “Can we go now?” Chevelle asks.

  “No. I need to make my dad wait. He’s been bad, so this is his punishment.”

  Keanu’s dark eyes stare holes into Mojo’s face until the old man walks away. Smiling, I can’t get over the kid’s impressively intimidating gaze.

  After making my father wait five minutes, I lead the kids inside to the condo building where he waits. We ride silently to the top floor and then walk down to my place.

  I hear Mojo grunt when he enters the condo and sees the work I had done. His disapproval makes me smile, but I keep my big mouth shut until the kids are eating at the coffee table in the living room. Hands and faces washed, they stare at the TV and eat without saying a word.

  “What do you want?” I ask my dad.

  “How is JJ?”

  “Fine, I guess. I’m not with him right now.”

  “Stop being a twat.”

  “Stop acting like I live up JJ’s ass.”

  “I need to know what he’s up to.”

  “Why now when he’s been up to shit for fucking months?”

  Mojo shrugs before sticking his head in my fridge to find a beer. Opening the bottle, he shrugs again.

  “What do you want me to say? I thought he might be a good kid and work out. Howler liked him.”

  “Bonn says Howler is going through a midlife crisis. Sounds about right? Aren’t you two the same age?”

  My father takes a few swigs from his beer and then glances at the kids.

  “Has Bonn said anything about how Common Bend is going?”

  “No.”

  “Would you tell me if he did?”

  “Yeah. That’s why he doesn’t tell me and Cam shit about his business.”

  Mojo nods and takes another swig. “I don’t want JJ in the club.”

  “Then don’t let him in.”

  “Howler is already talking like JJ’s been patched in.”

  “And you came here for my advice?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Stop worrying so damn much. The more you worry, the more JJ worries. Give him enough rope, and the guy will hang himself. Right now, you’re on edge, and he senses it. Not a good way to get him to fuck up.”

  “Did he tell you that?”

  “How did you ever become president if you’re this stupid?” I ask and then duck when Mojo takes a swing at me. Laughing, I back away. “I ask as your son and not one of your minions.”

  “You’re cruising for a bruising, boy,” he growls, still coming after me.

  “Keanu, whatcha watching?”

  The kid turns toward us, sees Mojo, and locks on
to my father with that dark gaze of his. For whatever reason, Mojo can’t handle the kid watching him and immediately heads to the front door.

  “You’re leaving?” I ask, following after him. “After giving me shit and making us come inside, now you’re leaving after talking to me for five minutes?”

  When Mojo frowns back at me, I smile. “Come to think of it; you should go.”

  “You’re an asshole.”

  “So are you. What’s your point?”

  “You better tell me if you get info on JJ.”

  “I will. Just like I would if I got info on Bonn or anyone else who might harm the club. What’s your fucking point?”

  “I like you better when you’re drunk.”

  “Don’t we all,” I say, shutting the door on him.

  Back on the floor, Chevelle watches TV, but Keanu focuses on me.

  “He’s gone,” he says, climbing onto the couch to see me better.

  “Yeah. He’s a meanie.”

  Keanu sighs in a dramatic way, and I struggle not to laugh. He’s so serious about Mojo getting me in trouble. The kid cares about my happiness, and I realize I care about him too, and not just because he’s Harmony’s boy.

  My fingers caress his thick black hair like how his mom often does. This little man owns Harmony's big heart. Sometimes, I feel lucky to fit in anywhere in her life when Keanu takes up so much of it.

  Right now, I want him to know I appreciate how he has my back. Like his mama, Keanu doesn’t care about my money or power. He likes me ––Dayton –– not just one of the Rutgers twins. Few people do prefer me to Camden, and I protect those who see past my bullshit to the guy underneath. Now Keanu’s a member of that very short list.

  Thirty Eight - Harmony

  Ruby doesn’t enjoy dressing up. For her wedding, she’d rather wear jeans and a nice blouse than a fancy dress. Still, she has Daisy and me meet her at a bridal shop to look at gowns.

  “I wouldn’t mind something low-key,” Ruby says, passing the white gowns and stopping by the bridesmaid's dresses. “Something a little fancy, but nothing like those.”

  I look at the gowns Ruby gestures at, finding them too grandiose. I can’t even imagine how much they cost either.

  Daisy hums to a song only she can hear, but I think it’s She Bop by Cyndi Lauper.

  “I love Dayton,” I announce once we start rifling through the second rack.

  Nodding, my sisters smile in unison.

  “The trifecta has finally occurred,” Daisy says.

  “What?”

  “Three Hallstead men with the three Slater women. Now we can live in the condo building together, just like we did at Lush Gardens.”

  “I’m not ready to move yet.”

  “So, like in a week then?” Daisy pushes while wearing a grin.

  “Maybe. Dayton has revamped his entire place, and you should see the room he set up for Keanu. It’s a million times more amazing than anything I’d ever come up with.”

  My sisters sigh “aww” in unison.

  “So, what’s the holdup?” Ruby asks.

  “There’s no holdup.”

  “Then why do you look less than thrilled.”

  Shrugging, I search the rack of dresses. “I thought falling in love would feel different.”

  “Different how?” Daisy asks.

  “I thought falling in love would be a big moment that punched me in the gut. Instead, it crept up on me until it just was there.”

  “So, you’re disappointed?”

  “No. I’m just surprised,” I say, avoiding their gazes. “I never realized I loved Dayton until he mentioned I hadn’t said anything. The entire relationship happened so fast. One minute, I was hardcore crushing on him, and then we were just messing around, and then he was changing his condo and talking about love. I should have thought I wasn’t ready, but I feel him in here,” I say, patting my chest. “When he acts like a dumbass, I don’t hate him. I just think he’s a dumbass, but he’s my dumbass.”

  “Is he a dumbass a lot?” Ruby asks.

  “No, not really. Dayton’s a chill type of guy. His biggest problem hasn’t been getting the hang of a relationship as much as him feeling like the trailer is too small. Oh, and it has no air conditioning.”

  “So, has he asked you to move in?”

  “No or maybe yes. Dayton doesn’t tend to blurt things out. He talks about stuff in a roundabout way. That’s fine, too, since I don’t enjoy heartfelt therapy talks with men.”

  Daisy stops fiddling with dresses and nuzzles against me. “I don’t think Dayton’s said more than a few sentences to me for the entire time I’ve been married to Camden. I sometimes forget he talks about anything besides pussy and booze.”

  Daisy flinches when she realizes what she said aloud in a public place. I grin at her embarrassed expression.

  Ruby shows me a dress and raises an eyebrow. “What about this one?”

  “Sure,” I say, not caring what I wear.

  Daisy shakes her head, though. “I’m short, remember? You tall chicks can wear something poofy like that without looking like you have a huge butt. Me, not so much.”

  “It’s not poofy.”

  “Whatever, tall sister,” Daisy mutters, frowning at Ruby.

  “I guess I could elope like you did with Camden. No dress necessary for that.”

  “Don’t copy me,” Daisy says, patting Ruby’s shoulder. “Be your own person.”

  My sisters share a smile, but my mind is stuck on Dayton. They could pick a lime green mini dress with rhinestones, and I’d only nod approvingly.

  “Don’t hide in your head, hippy,” Daisy says, stroking my hair. “If something’s bothering you, spill it.”

  Shaking my head, I keep looking at the dresses. The words I need don’t seem so obvious to me. No way can I put my feelings into a coherent sentence.

  Leaving the bridal shop without buying anything, we stop for lunch at the soup and salad restaurant.

  “When I first held Keanu,” I say after sitting silently while people around us talk about salad toppings, “I was so overwhelmed with my love for him that I could barely breathe. I’d loved him before then, but it was different. Once he was in my arms, I was bowled over with emotion.”

  “He was a cute baby,” Daisy says, dumping more bacon on her salad.

  “But what if I don’t love Dayton enough?” I ask, finally finding the words to explain my feelings. “I haven’t had that punch in the gut realization with him. I kept thinking I loved him in an easy way. Like we were just meant to be, so I don’t need to be overwhelmed with the feeling. But what if I’m wrong? What if I love him in a lazy way? Is that enough? Is he settling for someone who doesn’t love him in that ‘crazy, tearing her hair out, humping his leg all the time’ way?”

  “Who do you know who acted that way when they fell in love?”

  We both stare at Daisy who shrugs. “I didn’t tear my hair out.”

  “Still, you were floating around like a person who’d changed because of finding her man. I haven’t changed. I’m the same person I was.”

  “I didn’t change that much. Camden just gave me confidence. You didn’t need that from Dayton.”

  “I feel like my love isn’t good enough for him. I should be drooling over him and—”

  “Nope,” Ruby interrupts. “That’s not how it works.”

  “Yeah, I never drooled,” Daisy adds.

  “Listen, Harmony. You’re a working mom. The stuff you’re talking about is teenage girl crap. You might not stare dreamily at Dayton and write his name on your notebook, but you understand him when most people don’t. Even Camden doesn’t get his brother, but you get him, and he gets you. That’s what matters. Not the fireworks crap.”

  “Well, there are fireworks in bed. Otherwise, I worry we’re too chill. Boring even.”

  “If he isn’t complaining, why are you worried?”

  The hot tears spilling from my eyes surprise me. “I don’t know.”


  Ruby hands me a napkin, and I quickly wipe away the tears.

  “Dayton is special,” I whisper, “and I want him to have the best, and I’m not sure my laidback kind of love is the best. I feel like I’ve let him down by not going gaga like I did with Keanu.”

  “Well, first off you need to stop comparing your feelings for your son with your feelings for a man. Keanu is completely dependent on you. Dayton isn’t. Keanu has been your main concern for four years. Loving Dayton is new. He’s still learning to fit into his life and you in his.”

  Daisy nods and takes my hand. “You’re so good at taking care of people, but you don’t need to take care of Dayton. He’s a grown man and perfectly capable of living without you. He’s choosing to be with you because he has great taste. He doesn’t need you to do anything besides be you.”

  Even knowing they’re right, I struggle against my insecurities. Keanu isn’t the only one stressed about change. I lost Daisy to Camden. Anita died. Ruby and Elle moved away. I started a new job. And then there’s Dayton. I worry with all the changes that I’ve failed with the important stuff.

  “I don’t like letting people down, and I feel like I am with Dayton.”

  “Have you talked to him about it?”

  “No.”

  Ruby shoos Daisy’s hand away from mine and takes its place. “Is it possible you’re building up a problem in your head that doesn’t exist?”

  “Yes.”

  We smile at my honesty and return to our salads. I’m still emotional but sharing my fears aloud did help some. Hearing my sisters tell me what I logically knew helped even more.

  Thirty Nine - Dayton

  Watching Keanu sleep on his face, I wonder if I need to flip him over. I remember Mom saying something years ago about not letting Hudson sleep on his stomach. Of course, my little brother was a baby. When were people old enough to sleep face down without dying?

  Chevelle sleeps on her back, making me worry more. She’s seven, so if she’s doing it, shouldn’t Keanu? I’m ready to walk into the room and roll him over when I hear the key in the door and know Harmony is home.

  “I love you,” she blurts out when she sees me.