Coyote (Hawks MC Next Generation #1) - Lila Rose Page 0,70

a slap to the back, he said, “Sure, I could use one.”

We made our way over, greeting others along the way, which was how it took us near half an hour until we stood at the bar with a drink in hand.

Leaning back against the counter, I searched the room for Channa and smiled when I spotted her. She stood across the room laughing with Mum, Maya, Hellmouth, Swan, Chatter, Nary, and Mally. She was obviously enjoying herself, and it was good to see because this was family for me.

“Shit, brother, you’re totally in love,” Ruin teased.

I smirked and took a sip of beer. “Never really known what love is. Nothing like this, at least. So, all I’m gonna say is that I think it’s damn close.”

“Or it could already be there, and you ain’t willin’ to admit it to a brother before you shared it with your old lady.”

Well, there was that.

What I did know was that it would be easy to love Channa. She was amazing. I knew it wouldn’t all be fucking great; we had our differences and were both stubborn in our own ways. But I had a feeling we’d work through whatever we’d argue about as what we had was worth fighting for.

Ruin whispered, “You didn’t even flinch when I called her your old lady.” He shook his head, chuckling. “I see weddin’ bells in the future.”

Turning to him, I asked, “How’s bein’ back?”

I caught him stilling for a moment before he shrugged and faced the bar to lean his elbows on while he played with his beer bottle.

“Brother” was all I said.

Ruin sighed. “Fuck, brother.”

“Talk to me,” I said with a kick to his boot.

“The whole situation was intense. Fucked-up. But….” He shook his head.

“You gonna fill me in?”

He straightened and chugged back the rest of his beer, placing the empty on the bar before slapping me on the arm. “Another time. Go enjoy your night with your woman.”

“Ruin—”

He grinned, but it wasn’t a Ruin grin. It was clouded. “Nah, brother. It can wait. Seriously.”

“Fuckin’ bullshit.” I dropped my bottle to the bar and clasped him on the back of the neck to give him a shake. “Channa’s cool. She won’t care if I disappear, but you gotta talk, and we’re doin’ it. Let’s go to my room.”

Ruin snorted. “Bossy bastard, aren’t ya.”

I grinned. “Yep.” As we made our way across the room to the hall where the rooms were, I caught my woman’s gaze. She smiled and gave me two thumbs up, which had me grinning.

Goddamn, I was lucky our worlds collided. It sucked with how it happened, but it all came together in the end, and if it meant I’d have Channa in my life for-fucking-ever, I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

Channa

I glanced at the hallway where Cody and Ruin had disappeared a while ago. I hoped they were okay. Even though Ruin and I had only been around each other a handful of times, I could tell he seemed sad on the inside. It was in his eyes. Though he tried not to show it by being jovial, I didn’t like seeing the dimness in him. I could tell Cody felt the same, especially since they were close friends. When I’d first seen them walk away together, I caught Nary watching them as well. She leaned into me and whispered, “I hope Coyote can find out what’s wrong.”

I took her hand and squeezed it. “So do I.”

When Deanna clapped, drawing our attention her way, she asked, “So, you two done it yet?”

My face heated like I’d eaten ten chili peppers.

“Deanna,” Zara scolded and screwed her nose up. “I do not want to know. That’s my son we’re talking about.”

“Yeah, but he’s not your son in blood, just claimed.”

“I forgot you were Cody’s stepmum,” I commented, more to myself than anyone.

“And Talon’s my stepdad, but we all treat each other as if we weren’t ‘step’ anything,” Maya said.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t even have thought any of you were step-something. Your family is amazing.” I smiled, which Zara and Maya returned. Though, I did wonder what happened to Cody’s real mother.

“Anyway,” Deanna drew out. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“And she doesn’t have to,” Mally replied for me, which was good because I wasn’t going to say anything.

Deanna groaned. “Boring.”

“Let me ask you, Deanna, when Nick is older, do you want to know if he’s had sex?” Nary asked with a smirk.

I took a sip of my vodka and tonic, a drink Maya got