went down. Come back in a few hours.”
“We heard there was lunch,” DeAnna says and then frowns at Desi. “Why isn’t she wearing a swimsuit?”
“We’re playing,” Sidonie explains, likely wondering why DeAnna didn’t point out that she’s also without a swimsuit.
Wyatt’s wife wants so badly to talk shit about Lana and Desi. She loves ragging on the club bunnies, and she’s never seen a poor person she can’t find fault with. But DeAnna knows never to mess with Sidonie. My girl will fly into hysterics easily. Plus, Summer’s never hidden how much she hates DeAnna, meaning she’ll use Sidonie’s freak-out as an excuse to attack the older woman. It’s normally a fun exercise, but I’m not in the mood to see Sidonie upset again. She’s been downright mellow since her nap.
“Well, have fun,” DeAnna says and returns to the house.
“So, there’s no food?” Wyatt asks as if he missed all the rude shit his woman was spewing. If I wasn’t already wary of my nephew’s judgment, his choice in a wife sealed the deal.
“Whatever you find inside is what’s left. I’m not grilling anything else.”
“When’s dinner?”
“In a few hours.”
“We’ll come back.”
Wyatt gives Lana a wink. God bless her, she looks grossed out. He doesn’t notice, of course. However, I’m about ready to tackle this sexy woman for her blatant dislike of Wyatt.
“I should warn you,” I say, leaning forward and whispering, “Bambi’s kids are rotten. Her grandson is terrible too.”
“I’ll just smile and nod, then.”
“Any troublemaking family I ought to know about?”
“You’ve already met River,” she says, giving me a smirk. “Kenny isn’t around much, but you should know he will steal from you.”
“Well, that would not end well for him.”
Lana’s expression goes blank. I suspect she isn’t comfortable with club justice. Clearly living around the Reapers hasn’t toughened her up about how shit goes down for people who mess with members.
“When you come back next week,” I say, changing the subject, “make sure to bring extra clothes for Desi. That way, you won’t need to drag everything back and forth.”
Lana smiles at where Desi and Sidonie immediately wave at her. I swear the girls are just standing there, waiting for her to focus on them.
Soon, Lana helps them clean up after they finish playing. When I think of her upstairs, mothering my motherless child, I suffer an incredible urge to rush to the finish line with Lana.
“Don’t even think about it,” Barbie mutters after Desi and Sidonie walk downstairs wearing matching braids. “You wouldn’t make a big club move without giving yourself time to stew in your options.”
“I’m not doing shit,” I mutter, but she only shakes her head.
“Bambi wants to order from Rooster’s for dinner.”
“We just ate,” I mutter.
“I know you think you made a huge amount of food. However, you greatly miscounted the number of people currently in your house.”
“Whatever.”
“Don’t glower at me just because I warned you off proposing to your stripper girlfriend,” Barbie growls and then walks away before I can give her shit.
I remain on edge for the rest of the evening. Lana keeps tempting me with both her beauty and ability to handle my family. My sisters play good cop/bad cop. Rooster suggests I date Lineke since she’s closer to my age.
Then, when I’m ready to punch someone, Wyatt and DeAnna return. I wish I could hide in my room like Summer does. Instead, I have to stay in my head, where people are less fucking obnoxious.
But whenever I find myself taking a step toward relaxing, I catch Lana doing something sexy as fuck. Then I’m back in a bad mood. I really wish my siblings and their kids would get the fuck out of my house. I’d prefer to be alone with my guests.
And, finally, after a food delivery and too many people talking loudly from too much beer, they do leave.
Probably exhausted from my sisters, Lineke retires to bed. Lana watches a movie with Desi and Sidonie. I spot Summer sneaking downstairs now that the house has gotten quiet. She and I share a smile before she steals food and returns to her room.
I take a few phone calls in my office. When I return, the living room is silent. I go upstairs to find Lana tucking Sidonie and Desi into my girl's bed.
“We’re having a sleepover, Daddy,” Sidonie says, grinning at me from where she’s tucked to her chin under the blankets.
I give my girl a kiss on the forehead and admire how happy she is tonight. Desi tells Uno