See You Smile (Reapers MC: Pema Chapter Book 3)

by Bijou Hunter

  We scoot into the other side of the booth, and a waitress comes over to get our order. I feel Vaughn and Raven sizing me up. I’ll do the same for Raimi and Caesar one day when they bring home someone special.

  Now, I need to put Vaughn and Raven under my spell. The best way to do that is to just be me and hope they get in line. Putting on a show doesn’t work on people like these two. Even if it did, I’m too old to fake shit for anyone.

  “Did you pick your kids’ names?” Raven asks, getting squirrely again.

  “That was all their mama. Teigh loved a Japanese manga series called ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.’ I never read any but saw a few of the anime back in the day. She got the kids’ names from the manga. Changed Raimi’s spelling, though, to make it easier for people.”

  “Wait, so you didn’t have any say?” Vaughn asks, poking at me.

  “To be honest, I didn’t know if either one was mine before they were born. Teigh thought so, and I guess she was good at tracking her cycles and boyfriends and such. But even if I did know, I suspect I would have let her pick their names. Teigh had her heart set on Caesar and Raimi, so why fuss?”

  Nev watches me with the soft gaze of a gal right where she belongs. A lot of women might take issue with a man talking openly about their ex. Nev knows the score. Her parents raised her to be secure in herself and trust her gut.

  “We’ll stay over tonight,” I tell Nev as her parents whisper to each other. “Let the kids get comfy with your family.”

  Grinning, Nev tries to steer the conversation to a safer topic. “Mom and Aunt Lark plan to come up to Pema in a few weeks to help the team again with another bout.”

  “Our Ellsberg team got too old,” Raven chimes in. “No one wants to get knocked down anymore. So, with Savannah and Stella both preggers, we’ve been coming up to help the team compete. Did Nev tell you that?”

  Assuming she’s fucking with me, I flash a smile at Raven and keep my mouth shut.

  “Avery sucks without Savannah in the rink,” Nev says, ignoring her parents’ tricks. “But we’d lose, anyway. Violet, Vi, and Heidi are terrible. They can’t keep up with the other teams. But I’ve been advised on many occasions how we’re only playing for fun.”

  Nev’s expression makes me chuckle. When she frowns at me, I pat her hand. “You’re so competitive.”

  Smiling now, Nev glances at her parents. “They used to pair us up on different teams and make us battle.”

  “Only to keep you kids sharp,” Vaughn says. “They were too spoiled to toughen up, otherwise.”

  “We were spoiled,” Nev admits and allows a little grin at her parents. “Life was easy as a kid, even after Sylvie was born.”

  “Wait, I thought you two were getting closer,” Raven says, defiantly slapping her hands against the table.

  “We are, but I still don’t like her.”

  “She’s right,” Vaughn says. “You’re too stubborn.”

  “True, but I’d spent eighteen years thinking Sylvie sucked. I can’t change that feeling overnight.”

  “But you’re trying,” Raven says, almost pouting. “Sylvie really liked when you talked to her.”

  “Not even a tiny bit of violence,” Vaughn adds. “My girls are growing up.”

  “You raised us to be violent.”

  “Not with each other.”

  “The twins wrestle all the time. Even while Savannah is pregnant, they very carefully fuck with each other.”

  “Okay, so we failed, then,” Raven grumbles and throws her arms up. “I’m a terrible mom.”

  When Nev doesn’t react, Vaughn chuckles. “I knew that wouldn’t work.”

  “It worked for Lucille Bluth,” Raven complains.

  Nev leans over to whisper to me, “She’s a character from the ‘Arrested Development’ show.”

  Raven nods. “And she’s a terrible mom, but her kids still lied for her benefit. Why not lie for me?”

  “Lie about what?” Nev asks, falling into her no-drama routine.

  I grin at how she’s stopped fussing. She really isn’t built to remain squirrely long.

  “About how I’m not a terrible mom.”

  “But you aren’t a terrible mom. If I kissed your ass, I wouldn’t be lying.”

  “Then, why don’t you?”

  “I have too much respect for us both to put on an act. You know you’re one of my favorite people.”

  Raven smiles warmly. “And you’re one of mine. Just an exemplary young woman. Don’t you agree, Pa?”

  Vaughn nods. “She’s a keeper, for sure, Ma.”

  Nev wraps an arm through mine and snuggles. “We’ll be gross like that one day. I can’t wait to embarrass Raimi and Caesar when they bring people over.”

  If I suffered any doubt about Nev’s ability to love my kids, I’d get over it right this second. After less than a month, she already imagines their future. When Nev loves deep, she never lets go.

  THE CRACKERJACK

  My parents bail on Whiskey Kirk’s to ensure they get time with the twins’ crotch goblins. I take advantage of our alone time to get Sam’s pants down in the office. He remained so calm with my parents. I mean, of course, he did. Yet, I loved how he didn’t let their meddling throw him off-kilter.

  “You’re everything,” I say, sitting on the desk and wrapping my legs around his hips.

  “I know you’re in a good mood when you strip off your pants,” he says, admiring my bare bottom half.

  “I need to see you,” I say as his cock teases my slick opening. “It’s not enough to feel you.”

  “You’re getting squirrely again, aren’t you?”

  “A little, yeah. My parents drive me batty, but they’re also the best. I need help to calm down.”

  Sam gives a good hard thrust and fills me completely. “How about that?”

  Sighing, I nod and wrap my hand around the back of his neck. Sam’s eyes soak up all my raging crazy and return me to the drama-free world where I thrive.

  I can’t believe Sam exists. Or how lucky I am to find a man so breathtakingly handsome who also just fucking gets me. Though I didn’t even think I was drowning, I kiss Sam like a woman in need of saving.

  Nothing would feel better than to stretch out in a bed. I plan to memorize every single muscle and line of ink on his fine body. I ache to know him better than I know myself.

  But we don’t have time to play around today. My parents will be at my house soon. Sam still needs to pick up the kids. I should finish up at Whiskey Kirk’s before heading home.

  So, we only enjoy a good hard quickie, where I come with enough vigor to take him over the edge. He chuckles at my enthusiasm.

  “Feel better?” he asks as my legs keep him pinned inside me.

  “Of course. That doesn’t mean I want to let you go.”

  “Tonight, the kids will be over at your place,” he says as his fingers trace my face. “No worrying about the dogs. We’ll have plenty of time together. Tomorrow, I’ve got zero meetings.”

  “And I’ll work from home.”

  We share a grin, knowing our schedule will allow for plenty of naked time. Few sights are as sexy as Sam strutting around naked in the yard. He is effortlessly assured. No problem is too big. Nothing can drag him down. His confidence inspires me to embrace this new life we’re building.

  Two hours later, I have snacks waiting for the kids as if I’m the frigging mom from “The Brady Bunch.” Wait, she actually had a maid. Does that make me Alice in this scenario?

  “Can we walk the dogs?” Caesar asks while sitting outside with his snack.

  “After I show you what I set up today with Alyn. That way, Ghost and Galileo will chill when my parents get here.”

  Raimi looks worried about meeting them. I distract her by showing off the project Alyn and I spent many mornings working on. In Raimi’s lavender paradise room, I gesture toward her flat screen.

  “You can watch regular TV on this, but we also uploaded and categorized every video your
grandparents have of your childhood. There are many with your mom. We also made a few slideshows of pictures of you growing up with your mom and dad.”

  Raimi starts crying when she sees the pictures of Teigh holding Caesar and her. I immediately back away, wanting to run. Fortunately, I end up against Sam, who wraps an arm around me and hugs Raimi.

  “See how much you look like your mama?” he asks Raimi, who nods.

  Her little fingers touch the screen, where one smile-filled photo replaces another.

  “I thought you would like seeing them,” I say, nervous now.

  “We do,” Caesar tells me. “But seeing her makes us sad, too.”

  “Should I stop them?”

  Sam shakes his head when I reach to turn off the TV. “Tears aren’t a sin. Sadness is a natural thing.”

  Nodding, I still feel guilty for making Raimi cry. Just in case I wasn’t confused enough, she wants to watch another slideshow and quickly sobs more.

  “Don’t you ever cry?” Sam whispers in my ear while Caesar narrates the pictures for his sister.

  Shaking my head, I worry he’ll think I’m a weirdo. I haven’t cried in years. Of course, no one close to me has died. If I lost my mom or dad, I’d weep like a fucking baby. But otherwise, I’ve never had a strong enough urge to cry. I didn’t even tear up when our family’s peacock died.

  “Settle your britches,” Sam whispers when I worry too much. “This was a fine gift.”

  “My room is cool,” Caesar says, taking pity on my crabby ass. “Julian was sleeping on my bed when we got home.”

  Sam and I share a smile, hearing how he refers to the house as “home.” A month ago, these were a stranger’s kids. A month from now, they’ll be living here full-time. I can’t believe how quickly everything changed.

  Before my parents arrive, the four of us take a walk around the neighborhood. Raimi holds Ghost’s leash while Caesar is in charge of Galileo’s. The kids walk ahead of us. Sam cradles my hand, seeming in a great mood since the meeting earlier. He didn’t tell me much, but I got the sense he heard what he needed.

  Maverick never hides from me what’s happening in the club. We meet once a week somewhere private to discuss who might need killing and any threats I should be aware of. My brother knows I’m more capable of getting close to certain targets. Men are especially stupid when a hot woman approaches them. Plus, women usually don’t view other chicks as physical threats.

  I also look better in an elderly costume than Maverick does, and no one gives an old person a second glance. We’ve killed plenty of people by shuffling our seemingly ancient asses close to a target.

  But Maverick claims the only current mark is the dumbass owner of a local car dealership. Otherwise, we’re in a holding pattern. Of course, I’ve made clear to him if anyone looks at my kids wrong, I refuse to sit on my hands.

  If Maverick believes the club has Idyllwild under control, I trust him. But I remain hyper-alert to security footage—at my house and the Donners’. I’m even wary of the neighbors we pass on our walk.

  If people were ballsy enough to throw shade at my family in Ellsberg—where people will literally cry at the sight of my dad coming—no way are the dipshits in this town going to submit completely.

  After a few blocks, we return home, where the tuckered-out little dogs collapse on their round pillow and stare lovingly at Caesar and Raimi. I might be their alpha-mommy, but Ghost and Galileo absolutely adore the two kids who constantly baby them.

  Even the cats are crazy about them. Julian often hangs out in Caesar’s room and chooses his lap to sit on. Romeo usually bugs Raimi in the bathroom like he once did to me. Even Cornflake grudgingly allows their little fingers to pet her.

  While Sam handles homework duty in the backyard, I start dinner. Indigo Girls plays quietly on the inside speakers. I hear the dogs at the back door, wanting to follow their new favorite people. Everything is so perfect, and we haven’t even fully moved the kids into the house yet.

  I think of last night when we played soccer in the backyard. Fred and Pricilla cheered us on while Raimi and I defeated Sam and Caesar.

  “I thought you played in prison,” the boy asked his father after their loss.

  “I never claimed I got any good.”

  The horrified look on Caesar’s face sent me into hysterics. Sam just messed with the boy’s hair while Raimi danced around without a care in the world.

  I hope tonight can be as lighthearted. Unfortunately, my ego insisted on a battle with my parents, who now must meddle to prove their love.

  At the front door, Mom and Dad match in white T-shirts and blue jeans. Both have their blond hair pulled back in ponytails. They’re giving off such a united front vibe, I consider applauding.

  “We need to talk,” Mom announces before I take them outside to get to know the kids. “Alone.”

  “We can use my room,” I say, returning the bowl of shrimp to the fridge, so nosy cats don’t find it.

  Once we’re in the master, I shut the door and frown at them. “What?”

  “We’re concerned.”

  “You already said that at Whiskey Kirk’s.”

  “Yes, but we weren’t prepared to be concerned,” Dad explains and settles into a chair near the front window. “Now, we have a game plan.”

  “Your sisters helped,” Mom says, snitching out the twins. “They’re concerned, too.”

  “Are they, really?”

  “Yes,” Mom says, sitting on my dad’s lap while he shakes his head to my question.

  “Fine, what’s your concern? I’ll shoot it down, and we can hang out with the kids.”

  Mom looks at Dad as if they’ve prepared a script, and she can’t remember how it starts.

  “He’s too old for you, pumpkin,” Dad says when Mom remains stuck.

  “Is this about his dick shorting out and not working? If so, Sylvie already texted days ago to share her concern that I won’t be properly fucked in a few years.”

  “Your sister truly cares about you,” Mom coos, unable to stop herself.

  “I lived with a woman, remember? If Sam’s dick stops working, we have other ways to enjoy ourselves sexually.”

  “Thanks for the visual, kiddo,” Dad tells me while Mom seems lost again.

  “We aren’t concerned about his dick,” Mom says after Dad feels her up and seems to trigger her brain to work again. “We worry you’ll end up like Jodi Johansson.”

  “Widowed at a young age,” Dad clarifies when I only stare at them.

  I think to yell at them teenager-on-a-rampage-style. But their concern is valid. Stupid and a bit insulting, but valid.

  “Imagine I called up Jodi right now,” I reply calmly. “Knowing Kirk would die decades before her, do you think she’d regret loving him? Would she give up the years she had with him to avoid all the years she’s suffered without him? Do either of you think she’d say yes?”

  “No, but she’s a woman looking back. Your pain is ahead of you. Meaning, you can still avoid it.”

  “By losing Sam now?”

  “It’s only been a few weeks.”

  Taking a deep breath, I point out, “Mom, you married a man with a violent job. You made a choice to have many kids with Dad, even though he might not come home one day. I know you want to protect me, and this meddling is a rite of passage for your kids. But you wouldn’t give up time with Dad, even if you knew you’d lose him. Why should I play anything safe?”

  “You’re half his age,” Mom points out.

  “Yes, but I do work for the club. Plus, I start shit all the time with people. I could end up dead or in prison, too. Should Sam cut me loose to avoid losing me?”

  “No, but those are maybes. Even if you and Sam are super careful, you’ll outlive him by a long time.”

  “And I’ll cherish every day we spent together,” I say, having already imagined a future where Sam is no longer at my side. “Just like Jodi built a life without Kirk. That’s what I’ll do. But just like Jodi, I�
��ll never regret loving someone with less time left.”

  Mom glances back at Dad. They share a long-married look, which means something to them. Then, they turn to me and smile.

  “We’re done meddling now.”

  “It was kinda boring, anyway,” Dad admits as Mom stands up. “Meddling with Avery or River is fun since they overreact to our well-meaning criticism. You’re too calm.”

  “Lame,” Mom teases and hugs me. “Besides, we’re saving our energy for Sylvie.”

  “Denver, too,” Dad adds, wrapping his arms around us. “He’s the sweetest little boy trapped in a grown man’s body. I’m looking forward to meddling the shit out of whatever woman thinks she’s good enough for my baby boy.”

  “How do you feel about Cavalry’s interest in Nadine Ramsey?”

  Dad hugs us tighter. “She scares me.”

  “Oh, she’s fine,” Mom says, refusing to let go. “Nadine claims Cav is too young and immature for her, but I’ve seen the way she checks him out. He took his shirt off last summer, and her mouth fell open for like a minute. She’s got it bad for him. I have no doubt he’ll win her over.”

  “Then, we’ll disapprove of their relationship,” Dad adds, and I roll my eyes.

  Once they free me, I smile. “I appreciate you going through the motions. Alyn pointed out in a text how I put you in a bind since I’ve demanded no drama and then complained when you offered me none.”

  “She’s a good friend,” Mom says, smiling big. “I’m so glad you dumped her, though.”

  “We both are,” Dad adds softly.

  Grinning at their overly earnest expressions, I open the door. “I want to show off the kids.”

  “You haven’t been this excited since you brought home Ghost and Galileo.”

  “Or the boy cats,” Dad says as we stop walking, so Cornflake can very slowly stroll past us in the hallway.

  “You weren’t that excited about this one,” Mom mutters. “I think you knew the mistake you’d made.”

  “Cornflake is my sweet baby,” I say, reaching down to stroke her back.

  For me, the orange furball purrs loudly. Like her owner, Cornflake is an acquired taste. We never beg for attention. Though we’ll pitch a fit if we sense we’re being left out.