Finally, I heard the creak of the old truck’s door, and when it shut, on a slam no less, I pushed off the front and stood on the sidewalk.
“Let’s get it over with. I got things to do,” Kiyaya said as he passed by me.
“The only thing you’ll be doing is taking what medicines they prescribe and then resting.” I reached in front of him and pulled the door open.
“I like it better when you only come two times a year,” he mumbled as he walked in ahead of me.
I shook my head. “Go find a seat, and I’ll check you in. If I’m lucky, they’ll give you a shot in your ass with a really big needle.”
Kiyaya chuckled as he walked off, and I grinned as I reached the counter. After signing him in, I joined him in the seating area, taking a seat between him and a kid.
“I don’t know why we have to be here,” the kid next to me said to the woman on the other side of him, filling out paperwork.
“See, even the boy don’t want to be here,” Kiyaya said, and I leaned my head back against the wall and closed my eyes. It was hard to believe that less than forty-eight hours ago, I was holding Mac in my arms and working on getting her into my bed. Now, I sat with a crotchety old man, trying to get him to see a doctor.
“You know why we are here, Tracker. You and Paxton need to be checked out before we can place you with a foster family.” I opened my eyes and looked over at the woman and noticed a younger boy sitting in the chair on the other side of her.
“Yeah, because you made us come.”
Kiyaya snickered, and I cut my eyes to him. He shrugged. When I turned my head back, the woman was glaring at me, and the two boys were staring.
“You’ll have to excuse him.” I pointed with my thumb in Kiyaya’s direction. “He isn’t feeling well.” Christ, I was apologizing for a man pushing ninety. It was time I reevaluated my life.
“We’re here ‘cause our mom died,” the younger boy said.
“Sorry for your loss,” I said as an automatic response to hearing of someone’s death.
“Why, you didn’t know her?” The kid the woman called Tracker said, and the woman sighed.
“Tracker, that’s enough,” she said and looked at me apologetically.
“No, I didn’t. But that doesn’t mean I’m not sorry you and your brother lost your mother. It’s called compassion.”
“We lost her ‘cause drugs were more important to her than us,” Tracker said point blank while he looked directly in my eyes.
“Tracker—” the woman, who I assumed was a social worker, went to speak, and I gave a small shake of my head to cut her off.
I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to talk with the kid. It could have been the look of defeat I saw in his eyes that he tried to cover up with attitude. Or hell, it could have been because I saw a little of myself in him. A glance at what I could have faced if my dad hadn’t fought for me.
“Yeah, that sucks. But you can let her faults keep affecting you, or you can learn from her mistakes and want more out of life for you and your brother. Understand?”
“Easy for you to say. You don’t got to live with strangers who only see you as a monthly check.”
Damn, the kid was tough. “I could have been you, kid. But you’re right, I didn’t have to live with strangers because I had my dad. Your attitude isn’t going to help you, though. Is it?” Tracker didn’t respond, he just stared at me. I lifted my chin in his brother’s direction. “He’s going to follow your lead. You can either make the adjustment easier for him or harder for both of you. Life’s not fair, and you’ve learned that at an early age already, right?”
“I guess.” Tracker broke eye contact and looked down at his lap and sighed as if in acceptance to the situation.
The sound grated on my nerves. I hated it. Who knew what the two boys had already been through and witnessed if their mom had been a drug addict?
I had a strong need to try to change the mood surrounding the kid. If only a temporary break from his worry. “How old are you, Tracker? Fifteen? Sixteen?” He lifted his head, and I winked.
“Twelve and Paxton is seven.”
“You’re a big kid for twelve.” I didn’t just say that to change the course of the conversation. The kid was tall if a little on the thin side. His hair was straight, black, and to his shoulders. With the dark brown of his eyes, his Native American background was front and center. I glanced at his brother, and as I looked him over, I saw the resemblance between the two, but the younger one’s eyes were a lighter shade of brown, and his nose was narrower with a more pointed look.
“Our mom said I get my height from my dad.”
So much for lightening the conversation. And I didn’t miss the fact he’d said my dad and not our dad.
The receptionist called out a name, and the social worker stood. The two boys followed her and stood also. After the woman slung her bag over her shoulder, she placed a hand on each boys’ back to lead them to the front. Paxton, the youngest, stopped in front of me.
“You got kids, mister?”
I looked at him and shook my head and said, “No.”
He didn’t say another word. He just walked with Tracker and the social worker. I watched until the three of them disappeared through the door the receptionist was holding open for them.
“You were good with the boy.” I looked at Kiyaya, who had sat quietly the whole time I talked with Tracker.
“I’m not sure what I had to say helped any. The boy’s got a huge attitude.”
“Unfortunately, it’s not going to get better in foster care,” Kiyaya said.
“What?” I asked as Kiyaya continued to stare at me.
“You need to find a áyat, woman.”
I ran my hand down my face. “Hell, if you’re going to start that again, I just soon you go back to being a pain in my ass and bitching about me dragging you here.”
Kiyaya smiled, and before he could respond, his name was called. He stood and so did I.
“You don’t need to go back with me.”
It was my turn to smile. “Oh, but I am. I want to hear from the doc’s mouth, not what you tell me.”
“I’m not a liar,” he said, turned, and started walking.
“Didn’t call you one. But omitting things...not giving you a chance.”
“Hmm, I’m going to speak to Emilo. He needs to teach you more about respecting your elders.”
“Good luck with that. You can call him later, but for now, move your ass.” I followed him through the door and winked at the woman who held it open and stared at me with wide eyes.
“Now, I know why you have no áyat.”
I chuckled as I followed him into the exam room and thought of Mac. She’d probably agree with Kiyaya.
Chapter Four
Mac
Sitting in the diner, I half listened to the conversation going on around me while I picked at my food. I’d been starved when I left the office, but now the food was unappealing to me. I didn’t have to be a genius to figure out the sudden change in my appetite, it was due to the disappointing feeling I’d gotten when I walked outside, prepared to see Emery and he wasn’t there.
We’d stood on the sidewalk while Speed and Sami shared the news of their sonogram and the picture of their son, which of course, the men were in agreement with Speed on the little guy’s proud pose. Ally was quiet through the exchange until Speed asked her what she thought about having a brother.
“I guess it’s okay. But can I have a sister next time?”
“I’ll see what I can do, baby,” Speed answered and planted a kiss on her forehead.
“Excuse me, but I’m the one who bakes it for nine months,” Sami said and looked at Speed.
“And a fine job you do, babe,” Speed said, then kissed Sami’s forehead, too.
“Momma, can you turn the heat up next time and burn the penis off. I really wanna sister.”
I’d raised my hand to my mouth to muffle my laugh. Luna and Bailey didn’t bother muffli
ng theirs as we watched the men shift uncomfortably at Ally’s words.
After everyone calmed down, we headed to the diner for lunch. I’d held out hope Emery was there, only to have that illusion shattered when I walked inside, and Flirt, Carly, and Crusher were the only three seated at the table.
Didn’t it figure that once I’d made my mind up not to run and face the man head-on, he was absent? My history with men was minimal because in college, medical school, I’d been too young and by the time men looked at me other than as a teenage girl, I was too focused to pay them any mind. Heck, it made me wonder that maybe he changed his mind and decided to run. Could I blame him if he did?
“What do you think, Mac?”
“Huh, what?” I asked as I looked up from my plate when Bailey said my name to find all eyes on me.
“Girl, you definitely need some sleep,” Bailey said, then chuckled. “Luna asked what’s the chance of telling the sex of the twins when she has her sonogram Friday.”
“Oh. Well, if they cooperate—a hundred percent.”
“Awesome. They’ll probably be like Speed and Sami’s little dude and hide,” Luna said.
“Ah, sweetheart, you already know there’s two. Wouldn’t you like to be surprised?” Ghost asked, then held up his hands when Luna snarled at him.
“No, I don’t like surprises. Besides, we need to get their room ready, and if I know what they are, then I can decorate accordingly.”
“Well, we’ll find out Friday whether they are boys or girls,” Ghost said and squeezed Luna’s hand that rested on the table.
“If they’re boys, can you just tell us instead of showing the picture and pointing to their junk,” Flirt said while he looked at Speed who laughed.
“You’ve got months. What’s the hurry?” Devil asked, and I chuckled when Bailey elbowed him. “Why did you do that?”
“They are further along than I am, and I’ve already started on the nursery.”
“No, you haven’t. The room you want to use still has bedroom furniture in it,” Devil said with victory in his voice that made me want to laugh because I knew Bailey had been ordering things.
“Lance, have you even noticed the boxes against the wall in the living room?”
“Yeah. Meant to ask you if you wanted me to haul that stuff to the Healing Hearts place. Isn’t it stuff you’re getting rid of? I figured it was Neely’s clothes she’s grown out of weekly.” Neely grinned at Devil, and he ran his hand down her face. I’d seen him do that to her a hundred times, but it still made me smile.
“How much stuff do you think Neely has, Lance? There’s like ten boxes of various sizes in the room,” Bailey said and shook her head when Devil shrugged.
“Brother, you got issues. I can walk in the house and know when Carly’s been on a shopping spree,” Crusher said and laughed when he was flipped off by Devil.
“Ah, babe, it’s because I’m usually wearing what I bought, and it’s more for you than me, anyway,” Carly said, and Speed groaned.
“Please stop. And before you argue that you watched what you said, I’m not asking because of the little ears at the table. I’m asking as a brother who doesn’t want to have to bleach his brain.”
“No shit, we’re all thankful you two started closing the bedroom window,” Flirt said, then leaned up and pulled his wallet out. I watched as he pulled a dollar bill out, then he held it across the table. Ally’s little hand reached out and snatched it, then she leaned back in her chair and stuffed it in the front pocket of her jeans.
I looked around the table, and everyone continued as if what happened was normal.
“Wait,” I said, and all heads turned to me. “I know I’m a little tired, but why did you just pay Ally a dollar?” I looked at Flirt, but Ally answered.
“‘Cause Uncle Flirt said a bad word. They all have to pay me when they say bad words.” Ally blinked, and her facial expression read ‘duh’ as if she’d spoken it.
“All the men in the club pay you?” I asked, and the grin that spread across Ally’s face made me laugh.
When I leaned over and stuck my arm out with my hand in a fist, I knew I had moved past tired and into that space where exhaustion takes hold and the silliness surfaces. Ally bumped hers to mine, and I grinned.
“When I found out she was making them pay her, I was going to put a stop to it but figured the men deserved it. So, I make her put it in the bank. By the time she’s old enough for college, it could be paid for,” Sami explained.
“Roscoe’s payments alone to Ally will probably cover her first year,” Luna said.
“Ah, sweetheart, don’t pick on Roscoe when he isn’t here to defend himself,” Ghost said and put his arm around Luna, then pulled her into him and kissed the top of her head. I thought what a sweet gesture and was shocked when Luna pulled back and looked up at the man who was intimidating in size alone.
“You takin’ up for Roscoe, makes me wonder how much you paid shyster girl this past week.” Luna narrowed her eyes at Ghost, and all he did was grin. Not saying a word. Luna then turned and looked at Ally. “Give it up, my biker babe sister.”
“I made seven bucks from Uncle Ghost and eight from Uncle Dare.”
Luna looked back at Ghost. “In my defense, one of the big toolboxes fell off the side of the truck and landed on mine and Dare’s feet.”
“Ally, what’d I tell you about tattling?” Speed asked, and I watched as Ally bit her lip as if she was thinking over his words.
“Not to do it. And I didn’t tell Momma you had to pay me ten dollars when the paint can fell over and spilled on the floor,” she said, then looked down at her lap. I wanted to get up and hug her.
I watched Speed look at Sami and smile, then he ran his hand over Ally’s hair like he’d done to Sami in the exam room. “I’m not mad. I should have told your momma myself.” When Ally looked up and met his eyes, the love reflected from each of them for each other had a lump forming in my throat. To witness these big bikers melt for the women in their lives amazed me. It also had me more than a little curious if Emery would be the same way.
“I need to go to the potty, Dev,” Neely said, pulling me away from Speed and Ally in time to watch a stricken look cross Devil’s face before his eyes shot to Bailey.
“Babe?”
“She asked you. And you seriously need to get over your aversion of dealing with bodily functions.”
“It isn’t that. When I take her in the men’s room, she asks about the urinals, and when I explained what they were for, she asked if she could pee standing up.”
“Oh for goodness sakes take your sister to the bathroom. Go in the women’s room. Thelma won’t care,” Bailey said and lifted a brow at Devil as if waiting for his next excuse.
“Fine,” Devil said and glared at Bailey, who smiled back, not the least affected by his action. “Come on, little sis. You and me against the world,” he said, grinned at Neely while he helped her out of the chair, then stuck his fist out. Neely grinned up at him and bumped her little fist to his. I then watched the two hold hands and walk toward the restrooms at the back of the diner still unsure of what I just saw.
“Uncanny, isn’t it? They look nothing alike until they smile,” Carly said.
I turned and faced her. “That’s it. I never noticed it before. When they do it at the same time, it’s kinda creepy,” I whispered the last of it in the hopes the others wouldn’t hear, but no such luck when Carly burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Crusher asked Carly, who had no problem sharing what I said.
I felt my face heat with embarrassment and hoped no one would think I was making fun of Neely and Devil. I looked at Bailey apologetically, and she laughed.
“God, Mac, don’t be embarrassed. We’ve all said the same thing. You’ve seen him palm her face, but you haven’t seen it when Neely palms his back, then they both grin at each other, it’s like they share some weird vibe. I’d say it was because they are brother and sister, but I didn’t share a
nything like that with James,” Bailey said.
“I don’t share it with my brother either,” I said.
“Well, I don’t share it with Carly,” Speed said as he looked in Carly’s direction.
“Thank God, because you’re an asshole,” Carly sneered, and I giggled when Crusher and Sami looked at each and started laughing. Carly’s head whipped around to a laughing Crusher, and the look in her eyes stopped my giggles. “You can pay little miss spider monkey shyster my fee, laughing boy.”
“I’m not covering your fee, sugar. I already pay Ally enough for my own slips,” Crusher said, then leaned back in his chair.
“Okay, fine. Guess when I get off shift, I’ll put on my flannel PJs instead of the Victoria Secret sleepwear that came in the mail yesterday.”
“Never mind, sugar, I’ll pay your fee,” Crusher said, already pulling his wallet out.
I laughed and so did the others except for Ally. Hopefully, it was because she didn’t understand what her aunt was referring to. So instead of laughing, she just stuck her hand out. Crusher dutifully set a dollar in her palm, but she didn’t move her hand from the middle of the table.
“What? I didn’t say any cuss words,” Crusher told her.
“Aunt Carly owes me four dollars from yesterday,” she replied, and I laughed so hard, I was surprised I hadn’t peed my pants.
Devil and Neely made it back to the table, and Bailey gave him the recap of what he’d missed. Before I knew it, I’d stopped fiddling with my food and had actually eaten it. The nourishment helped hold back the exhaustion of being sleep deprived. And in the company of friends had helped keep my thoughts from wandering too much to Coast. That part had been hard, considering everyone at the table was in a roundabout way his family. Their acceptance of me from the first time I met them was humbling.
The waitress brought the checks, and once the tabs were paid, we headed out of the diner. Everyone said goodbye and headed to their vehicles. I’d rode with Bailey and Devil, and as I started to get in, Flirt pulled the door open for me. He’d parked his bike behind Devil’s truck.
Coast (Black Hawk MC Book 6) Page 4