tell me the quality is sub-par. Then there’s little Sorcha, who really likes dolls. She told me how much at the picnic table, and how they were going to have a tea party later but with solo cups because she didn’t have a tea set. I might be adding a tea set and a doll to her collection. Hopefully Natalie won’t get mad at me, but kids are my soft spot.
I really can’t help but spoil them.
Now I’m back at the club, and Blackjack just walked through the door a couple minutes ago. He spends most of the time at the lake house with Ashley, which is about a five-minute drive down the back lane. Fist owned acres upon acres, which now his three kids inherited. If all of us wanted to build mansions on this land, we could. We won’t, ‘cause let’s be real, we don’t have that kinda cash. But we can keep growin’ here for a long ass while.
Boss and Ricochet are sitting across from me at one of the smaller tables in the living area. We’ve all been nursing a beer, trying to relax. Boss has mentioned a couple of times how she’s gettin’ stared at really weird.
“It’s not every day that the infamous Rage’s spawn comes to visit. Your dad had a reputation.” I murmur, taking a sip of my beer.
“Don’t I know it. I swear everyone thinks I’m going to go crazy and shoot everyone in sight.”
“Only when you’re hungry,” Ricochet jokes, getting a punch to the arm from Boss.
“Those were your girlfriend’s kids from earlier?” Boss asks, but I realize I didn’t say whose kids they were.
“Yeah.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Wow, what?”
“I thought they were yours and she was watching them. With the way they were interacting with you, it seemed so natural.”
“Thanks for saying that. Meeting the kids is a big deal.”
“That it is, and a new relationship, dang, Grim.” Boss smiles. I know we haven’t known each other for long, but I don’t think she’s like her father at all. This woman has some good in her.
“You have a youngin’ too, yeah?”
Boss smiles brightly. “I sure do. Destiny. The best thing that’s ever happened to me. A surprise, but what a great one. I was scared shitless at first but having my own family has really given me a sense of purpose.”
I nod, understanding what she’s talking about. It’s how I felt when my daughter was born. “I hear a lot of shit, about rumors that is. Care if I ask you this?”
Boss gulps while her expression turns to a stern one. “I have a feeling I know what you’re about to ask, and I’ll tell you what I tell everyone, it’s no one’s business.”
“That’s true. It’s just, there’s a new woman in Stoney’s life named Rachel. I heard from a friend that you and your buddy here went to a barbeque. Rachel caught wind of it, and I’m damn sure he knows what’s up.”
Boss blinks a few times in disbelief. She must’ve known this would happen at some point. I don’t need a confirmation from her because her fear is written across her face. Ricochet’s even lookin’ at her with concern.
“Stoney can go choke on a fucking rock.” She grits, her throat flushing with red. Obviously, she’s upset.
“You can talk to me you know. Hell, you know my story. Not like I’m gonna go talk about shit to anyone.”
“Didn’t you hear her? She said this isn’t anyone’s business.” Ricochet growls, comin’ to her defense.
She puts up her hand, signaling him to stop. “It’s fine. Everything is going to come out anyway, and from the looks of it, Stoney already knows about her.” Boss turns her attention to me. “Stoney and I used each other I think, to feel something, for just a moment. He’s far too bull-headed for it to ever work out between us, but . . . I thought about it, for our daughter’s sake, then I heard about this Rachel and,” Boss rolls her eyes, obviously not fond of her. “Other women complicate shit, so I’m not gonna go down that road. If he wanted to be with me, he would. It’s as simple as that.”
“Yeah, ain’t that the damn truth.” I confirm, totally getting her point of view.
“Sucks, but it is what it is. I’m fine. She’s fine, and we have a club who loves us both.”
“And a man who’s trying to love you,” Ricochet mutters with a cough.
Boss shoots him a glare. “Shut up unless you know what