Hawk (Reckless Kings MC #2) - Harley Wylde Page 0,27

off and pulled on fresh clothes. I combed back my hair and smoothed down my beard. Pulling on my cut, I checked over my appearance in the mirror. I looked tired as fuck and felt it too. A glance at the time told me we’d probably need to head to the Pres’ house in a moment. Not enough time to take a nap.

I heard a bike start up nearby and cracked my neck, trying to prepare for being pleasant for the next hour or two. I wasn’t up for it. Then again, I hadn’t been up for it a lot lately. If I wasn’t trying to drink myself to sleep, I was trying to keep busy so I didn’t think about Hayley. Beast had known the moment he saw Lyssa she was meant to be his. Was the same thing happening with me? Had I gotten so hung up on Hayley because she was mine?

* * *

Hawk

I got on my bike and waited for Ranger and Brick. Lyssa’s SUV was already gone, so I figured they’d gone to her parents’ house early. When my brothers came out, I started the engine on my Harley Davidson and took the lead. I’d been to Torch’s house before, when we’d visited previously. His wife, Isabella, was always welcoming and had a smile for everyone. Seeing the two of them together made me wish I had a woman by my side. Someone sweet like her, but who could handle this way of life.

I saw several bikes out front, which meant the others he’d expected were already here. Or at least some of them were. I hoped this didn’t turn into something huge because all I wanted was to crash for a while and wait for the days to pass. Being here, knowing Hayley was possibly within reach, fucking sucked.

I heard the noise out back and walked to the gate, letting myself through. Brick and Ranger were on my heels. I scanned the large yard, spotting Beast and Lyssa with Torch and Isabella. Their other kids were playing with some of the Reapers’ kids. Madison, the baby of the hour, was in her grandfather’s arms. The Reckless Kings were my family, but seeing this, all the kids and old ladies, it made me realize that having a club of brothers was awesome, but my life was still missing something.

I heard a baby crying in the back corner of the yard and turned my head in that direction wondering who else had a baby. My gaze landed on one of the newly patched members of the Dixie Reapers, and when I saw the baby in his arms and the woman standing next to him, it felt like someone had punched me in the gut.

Hayley.

She was with Viking? And they had a baby?

I sucked in a lungful of air. Before I realized what I was doing, I’d taken a step closer to them, then another. The baby was turning red in the face as Viking tried to soothe her. Hayley reached for her, placing the baby against her chest, her expression pinched as she rubbed the infant’s back.

“Hayley,” I said, wondering why my voice sounded so strange even to my own ears.

She jolted and looked at me, her eyes wide and panic flashing in them. Why the hell would she be scared of seeing me? Was she worried I’d lash out because she was with someone? I glanced at Viking. He seemed a little too laid-back considering I’d just walked up to his girl.

“Hawk,” she said softly, drawing my attention. “It’s been a while.”

I nodded, eyeing the little girl in her arms. With all the pink, I assumed it was a girl. The baby was still crying. No, more like screaming. My brow furrowed, wondering if she was all right.

“Hayley, why don’t you take Freya inside?” Viking suggested. “Might be too much going on out here for her.”

Hayley nodded, clutching the baby to her. She brushed past me and headed for Torch’s house. I wanted to follow, but knew it wasn’t my place. I saw Cuddles streak across the yard and chase after her, slipping into the house right on her heels. It seemed the raccoon had even made himself at home here. My chest felt tight as I realized she’d moved on. I’d been thinking about her non-fucking-stop for a damn year, and she had a kid with someone else. What the fuck? Had she gone after this guy the next day? Was that why she’d