by Erin Osborne
“You’re up!” Kasey hollers, alerting everyone to the fact I just entered the main room.
I see the old ladies making their way to the kitchen and I follow them there after waving my hello to Kasey. Skylar is just pulling the turkey out of the oven and the rest of us are taking the rest of the food out to the tables. The only thing I didn’t expect to see is Riley coming to help us out. I’m still mad at her, but I guess if there’s any day that I’m going to start working on forgiving her, today would be that day. So, I offer a small smile and make my way out to the main room with a dish in each hand.
We really outdid ourselves with all the food. There’s turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, rolls, and of course the amazing desserts. Skylar and Whitney each made three different pies and I want to be a greedy bitch and have a slice of each. However, there’s too many other people that might have an issue with that.
Turning to make my way back into the kitchen, I almost slam head first into Riley. Thankfully, she’s quicker on her feet than me and she manages to move out of the way before we can collide. I can see Rage watching the interaction between us from the corner of my eye. I know that he’d be over here in a heartbeat if he felt I was upset in any way by her presence. But, she’s a guest here even if she is being kept away from phones and all other contact to the outside world. So far, I haven’t heard about her making a single complaint about that. In fact, she seems to be almost thriving without the worry and stress on her shoulders. Turning, I smile at my man and continue to head back in the kitchen.
Just as we’re bringing out the last of the dishes, and Joker has finished carving the turkey, everyone is taking their seats. A few of the men are rounding up the last of the kids with the help of Jameson and Anthony. Even though these two little boys aren’t yet teenagers, I can already see that they are going to follow in the steps of their fathers and the rest of the men of the club. It’s amazing to see the next generation of these men. Especially as the rest of the little boys get older. Jameson and Anthony are going to have them doing the same things that they do now.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Rage asks, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around me.
“I was just thinking how amazing it is to see Jameson and Anthony protect the kids and make sure that as the boys get older that they’re supposed to do the same thing. Our kids won’t have any better role models than your brothers,” I tell him, placing my hand over his.
“It is amazin’ to watch them. Jameson has been doin’ it for as long as I’ve been back here. Anthony followed in his footsteps as soon as Glock brought them back here.”
We watch for a few minutes more before we take our seats at the table. Skylar stands up and says that this year we’re going to go around the table and tell everyone what we’re thankful for. I sit and listen as each person tells us what means the most to them. When it gets to my turn, I sit there and remain quiet for a minute.
“I’m thankful that I’ve finally been reunited with my family. I’ve missed you more than you’ll ever know Whitney and I’m glad that we’re back together again. I’m glad to now have an extended family and the love of my life by my side. Rage and Kasey have become my entire universe and I can’t thank you enough for loving me and giving us two new additions to our little family. Finally, I’m thankful that even though we started out based on a lie, I have Riley back in my life. We may not be as close as we were before, but I’m hoping with time we’ll get there,” I say, being pulled against Rage’s side while he kisses my temple.
“I’m thankful that Keegan was brought into my life. She’s my entire world and I can’t wait to see our love grow even more as we spend the rest of our lives lovin’ one another. I have Kasey back and don’t have to worry about anythin’ regardin’ her. She’s got a great role model with all the old ladies here, but especially my firefly. And, I’m glad that I found all of you and now have a bigger family than I could’ve ever dreamed possible.”
Everyone continues to go around the table until we get to Riley. She looks directly at me and I can already see tears glistening in her eyes. I know that this is hitting her hard with me not really speaking to her. It was just a complete shock to learn that she was actually going to through with handing me over to my father and Sam. I’m glad that she didn’t and I’m really trying to realize that she didn’t have to change her mind and have my back. I’m sure we don’t even know what truly happened to her as a result of her betrayal.
“I’m thankful that you all have taken me in. It doesn’t matter to me that I can’t go anywhere or talk on the phone. You’ve eliminated any threat against me and made sure that I am being honest when I say I love Keegan like a sister and I want to protect her and not harm her or let those animals get their hands on her. One day I hope that we’ll be able to get some of what we used to have back.”
Riley was the last person to go and I know that I have tears in my eyes. I’m not going to let them fall though. Her words hit home, and I know that eventually I’ll be giving her another chance. It just won’t be today. I can’t risk anything with the twins I’m carrying and Kasey being around me. Not to mention the rest of the kids that are around here. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to them because of me. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.
We all devour the food in front of us. The prospects are eating at a table closer to the kids in case they need help or want seconds. All the kids are laughing, having fun, and eating the food placed in front of them. You can see, and hear, the innocence of them. It’s something that I’d give every day to hear from the kids around us. They may act big and tough, but they’re still innocent in most things. The important things. I didn’t get to have that as a child and it warms my heart to see all of the love and protection of the children belonging to the club.
“I don’t know about the rest of you,” Skylar starts. “I’m going to go lay down for a little bit before we go shopping. Darcy will be here soon, and I can’t wait to see what happens this time!”
The men all groan at remembering some of the things that have happened with Darcy around. Especially involving Wood. I haven’t seen them in person, but the girls have told me the stories. Now, I’m glad that Rage didn’t beat his ass when I was in Benton Falls. It seems that he’s on the verge of that from Crash and Trojan. Knowing that Darcy is coming here, I know that the two men will be accompanying her. Let the games begin, I think to myself. I can’t wait to see these shenanigans first hand.
“I’m going to follow your lead,” I tell her and Rage.
He follows me up to our room with Kasey hot on his heels. She’s going to want to spend time with us before Pops and Alice take the kids for the night. They’re all having a sleepover in the game room. Pops said that Alice already had a bunch of movies ready to bring along with popcorn and other drinks and snacks. I don’t know where these kids are going to put this food in their tiny bellies, but I’m sure they’ll find the room. They always seem to.
“Keegan, are you okay?” Kasey asks me, climbing up on the bed next to me.
“Yeah, why?” I ask, pulling her into my side.
“You sleep a lot now. Are the babies hurting you?”
“They’re not hurting me baby. They just take a lot out of me. So, for a while, I’m going to be tired. But, I’ll still have time to spend with you.”
Kasey looks at me for a few minutes before settling down next to me. She snuggles into me and I love this time. Rage sits on the bed next to us and rubs his daughter’s back. Once he realizes that she’s asleep, when her chatter about anything and everything ceases, he brushes my hair away from my face and gazes down into my eyes.
“You sleep, and I’ll wake you up when it’s time to get ready,” he tells me. “I’m gonna go make sure a few guys from Dander Falls get here. Darcy’s drivin’ them crazy.”
“Okay babe,” I tell him, laying my hand on his cheek. “I love you.”
“Love you too,” he tells me, giv
ing me a kiss before heading out of the door.
I watch my man leave the room and get settled in. Kasey is curled up into my side fast asleep and as I move, she snuggles in deeper to me. Even in sleep she has a hand resting on my stomach. It’s adorable the way that she always wants to be touching where the babies are resting. I’ve never really been around kids because of the situation I found myself in with Sam and my dad. Living with Kasey and experiencing life with her on a daily basis is the most amazing experience of my life. Rage in the mix is just the icing on the cake.
Waking up, I hear a ton of commotion coming from the common room. Something major must be happening to cause me to hear it all the way in the room. Looking down, I see Kasey is still passed out. I slowly get out from under her arm so I can quickly get her things ready to spend time with Alice and Pops.
Before I get too far, the door to Rage’s room bursts open. Thinking that it’s him, I look out the door to see what’s going on. Instead of seeing him, I see the girls standing in the doorway. They’re all laughing, giggling, and giving Darcy a hard time. Must be the commotion was because of her and the guys. I can’t wait to see what happens when we go out shopping with them.
“Are you almost ready to go Keegan?” Darcy asks, laughing.
“Yeah. I just need to finish getting Kasey’s things ready to go. Where are the guys?” I ask.
“They’re trying to get the fucking cavemen under control. They think they’re going to control what I do when we’re out,” Darcy answers.
I can’t help the smirk on my face as I imagine what they were doing to make Darcy pissed off. Well, not so much because they always seem to do something to get under her skin. Now, I know that Darcy is going to go out of her way to make them get all worked up. This is going to be a fun night. Let the games begin!
Quickly I finish packing the bags, jump in the shower to get ready, and make my way out to common room after checking on Kasey. The rest of the girls are waiting for me drinking coffee, eating something, and hanging out in the kitchen. I grab a bowl of cereal and some toast so that I can put something in my stomach. Having more turkey and all that other food is going to make me want to take a nap again.
Sitting down next to Darcy, I listen to her telling everyone what’s been going on with the guys. They apparently decided that she wasn’t going to be trying on any clothes tonight, she can’t be anywhere near Wood, and they’re going to be on her like crazy to make sure she stays out of trouble. I know that I wouldn’t be able to handle their overbearing sense when it comes to Darcy. She wants to have fun and be the life of the party when it comes to the girls. Crash and Trojan want her to be sedate and calm, not herself.
“So, are we bringing Riley with us?” Bailey asks.
All of a sudden, everyone looks to me. I’m not sure what they want me to say. If she wants to come, she can. If she chooses not to, she can sit here with the prospects or something. Riley isn’t an enemy, she’s just not as close to me as she was before. No matter what happens, she’ll be in my heart because when no one else was there for me Riley was. Now, I need to make sure that she’s being true and not secretly working for him.
“I don’t know why everyone is looking at me to figure it out. It’s her decision and she’s the only one that can make it. Am I going to complain and bitch if she goes? No. I’m just going to be leery about spending time with her until I know for sure that she’s not working with Sam and my dad,” I tell the girls.
“Then I guess I’ll go see what she wants to do,” Bailey tells us, leaving the kitchen.
The rest of us finish what we’re doing so that we can leave. Before too long I see Bailey enter the kitchen again followed by Riley. She looks amazing and ready to take on the world. But then, she always has. It’s only because I know her so well that I see the pain she has hidden behind her eyes. I want to know what’s happened to her to cause so much pain, but I’m not ready to do that yet. It’s going to take a lot of time. And proof that she’s being one hundred percent honest about not helping the men after me.
We managed to get out of the clubhouse without too much chaos ensuing. There was one point that I thought Darcy was about to castrate one of her Neanderthals, but she quickly escaped into Woods waiting vehicle and locked them out. I’ve never seen two grown men turn that particular shade of red, more a purple really, then when Crash and Trojan realized she wasn’t going to give in to them. Rage and the rest of the guys were shaking their heads in frustration because we might not have been helping the situation at all. Then we were all laughing so hard that they had to practically lift us into the cars and trucks we were taking.
Somehow, Riley ended up riding with Rage, Gage, and I. I’m not going to bitch and whine about it. Maybe it’s a sign that we’re supposed to start moving on and getting back to where we were before. So, I’ll give it a shot and see what happens tonight.
“Thanks for letting me ride with you guys,” Riley tells us.
“It’s not a problem,” Rage responds, pulling out behind Joker and Cage. “Riley, this is Gage. Gage, meet firefly’s friend Riley.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” they both respond.
Looking in my mirror, I can see the sidelong glances that Riley keeps giving Gage. This is interesting because I’ve never seen her be shy around a single soul in her life. Even when she’s had someone beating the shit out of her, she’d protect me and keep it going on her so I wouldn’t be touched. In many ways, Riley always had my back. I need to let go of this and let us both move on. I need to be there for her to help her heal the pain she’s feeling and hiding behind her eyes.
Riley used to be so vibrant and full of life. Now, she’s almost a shell of her former self from what I’ve seen. There’s a pain and darkness hidden behind her eyes that was never there before. Something happened to this girl after I left, and I hope that she still trusts in me enough to get it out. No matter what happens between us, I will always have her back. Riley has had my back on more than one occasion and I’ll never be able to pay her back for it. If I’m the only one that she has to lean on, then I’ll be that for her.
“Riley, I’m going to try to move past what I’ve found out since you showed up. It still might not happen immediately, but I see the changes in you and I want to be there to help you,” I tell her.
“I know it’s going to take time Keegan. And one day I’ll let you know what’s going on. Just not today. Tonight, is about shopping and having fun.”
I turn back around in my seat and settle in for the trip. The guys are still taking precautions since no more letters or flowers have arrived. We honestly have no clue what their next move is going to be. Rage didn’t want to let me come tonight, but there was no way I was missing out on this shit. Not after what I’ve heard happens when Darcy is out with everyone.
Rage
So far, we’ve been to about three stores. Crash and Trojan are moping around because Darcy has put them in their place multiple times, in front of everyone. Now apparently, we’re going into some lingerie store and I’m not looking forward to seeing what is going to happen in here. Especially when I see all of the stuff that I’d love to see firefly wearing.
Before any of us can blink, the women are going through the store like mini tornadoes. They’re going from rack to rack finding what they think are the cutest little outfits to tease their men in. As soon as they’re done choosing the items they want to try on, I hear a few of the old ladies commenting that there aren’t enough dressing rooms with all the other customers in the store. So, they decide to double up and go in the rooms together. Catching Keegan’s eye, I see a wide smile break out across her face. Darcy is standing next to her and I see them heading towards the same dressing room. Fuck my life!
I’m moving closer to the dressing rooms as I see Wood pacing back and forth in front of the doors. He’s making sure that no one can get to our women. I appreciate the gesture, but I want my eyes on Keegan. If she needs me, I want to be right there to help her. It’s m
y woman, my babies, and my job to protect and love her. Wood is a brother from another club, and I trust him with my life. Keegan is another story though.
Before I can get to the dressing rooms, I see their door open. Wood turns around and everything seems to happen in slow motion. The girls try to come through the door at the same time, only my girl gets tripped up somehow. Wood makes a move to catch her at the same time Darcy does. I’m not quite sure what happened after that but before anyone can make a move, the three are sprawled out on the floor. Wood is on the bottom of the pile, Darcy is on top of him face to face with him, and Keegan ended up on her back on top of Darcy.
I immediately rush over to them and check my girl over. She’s laughing so hard that I see tears running down her cheeks. Helping her up, I’m still checking her over and she is my entire focus. I don’t notice when Crash and Trojan make their way over to us. Well, until they start yelling at Darcy to get her ass off of Wood.
“Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me?” Crash bellows. “Every fuckin’ time you two are around one another, you end up all over each other.”
“Go the fuck away Neanderthal!” Darcy yells, pulling herself off Wood.
“Firecracker, you know you’re goin’ to be ours. Why keep fightin’ it?” Trojan asks.
“I never said I was going to be yours,” she says before Wood grunts. “Oh! I’m so sorry!”
Looking over, I see Wood holding his dick. I guess in her rush to get off him, she put her hand there and pushed herself up. I’m cringing at the pain he must be in right now. Crash and Trojan start laughing their asses off because I’m sure they think that’s what he deserves after having his hands on their woman. Again.
“Firefly, are you sure you’re okay?” I ask, seeing that she’s calmed down a little bit.
“I’m perfect. The babies are fine. Wood made sure to turn me somehow so I landed on my back. It’s not like I landed on the floor.” Keegan starts laughing again. “This is even better than what everyone has told me about these three.”