Page 58 of April’s Fool

He knows how much this means to me. I’m going to miss living close to Mercy and Kayla, the rest of the Devil’s Riot MC, but here I also have family. Family who took me in without even knowing me.

“You got a minute for me to steal you away?” Fool asks, his hand settling along my hip.

Since returning to the clubhouse after the graduation ceremony, people have been hugging and congratulating me nonstop. We have guests from the Mississippi Charter of the Grave Prowlers, the Devil’s Riot MC Originals Charter, and the Franklin Charter. Lola, Izzy, and Kenny went all out for this party for Mercy, Kayla, and me.

Kayla told her parents days ago, when she finally went home, that she had dropped out. But she had all of her credits and had been exempted from her finals, so she at least finished school. I’m not sure how that happened, but as she would say, it is what it is.

Now, we all have to figure out what to do next with our lives. Thankfully, we have time because of our families.

Fool guides me away from my dad and toward the side of the clubhouse.

“Is everything okay?” I ask when we’re alone.

“Was gonna ask you the same thing,” he says, cocking a brow.

To say Fool’s been overprotective is an understatement. He doesn’t like to see me struggle, and I definitely struggled to fully regain my strength after the paralytic I’d been given.

“I’m okay, Beck,” I say to him, sliding my hands across his chest.

“Good.” He nods, lowering his head to kiss me softly, his hands resting on my hips. I melt into him, savoring the moment of privacy amid the celebration.

“I have something for you,” he murmurs against my lips.

“More than that killer party?” I tease, gesturing toward the decorated clubhouse.

“The party isn’t from me, sweets. That’s all Lola, Izzy, and Kenny. You know it.”

True. I do know this.

Fool reaches into his cut and pulls out a small velvet box. My heart stutters in my chest.

“Beck . . .” I whisper, suddenly nervous.

“Relax, baby. You already have my ring on your finger.” He opens the box to reveal a delicate silver chain with two teardrop-shaped gems. One look, and I know they’re our birthstones. “For my smart girl.”

I let out a soft sigh, touching the stones. “It’s beautiful.”

“Let me put it on you.” He turns me around, and I lift my hair as he clasps the metal around my neck. The metal is cool against my skin.

“Thank you,” I say, touching the pendant again. “I love it.”

“Good,” he says, pressing a chaste kiss to my neck. “You deserve so much more, but I’m glad it’s me you choose to be with.”

“I don’t and wouldn’t want anyone else,” I tell him, spinning in his arms to face him again. “I love you, Beckham Underwood. You’re everything I ever dreamed of in the man I’d end up with.”

“Love you too, April, more than anything in this life,” he growls, grips my hair, and slants his mouth over mine.

The kiss deepens, and I melt against him. His hands glide down to my waist, drawing me closer until there’s no space between us. The sounds of the party fade, leaving just us in this moment.

When we finally part, I’m breathless, my lips tingling. Fool rests his forehead against mine, his eyes dark with desire.

“We should probably get back before they send out a search party,” he says, his voice husky.

I laugh softly. “Probably. But first,” I press one more quick kiss to his lips, “thank you for this.” I touch the necklace again. “It’s perfect.”

“Just like you,” he whispers, tucking a strand of hair back behind my ear.

We walk back hand in hand, and I feel like I’m floating. When we return, the party is in full swing, with music playing and people dancing. Mercy spots us first and waves us over to where she and Kayla are sitting.