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“What about Boone’s baby?”

“We’ll figure it out,” my dad said and smiled reassuringly.

Yarrow settled down next to me and ate her breakfast. I glanced in the direction of York, who ate standing up in the kitchen.

“Come sit with us, lover,” I said, making York roll his eyes.

As he sat in a nearby chair, York noticed Rowdy watching him from his spot on the floor.

“Why are you here?” Rowdy asked like a jackass.

“Didn’t you hear? I’m her lover.”

Rowdy grinned at Kat. “The secret lover has been unmasked. If I’m being honest, I’m tremendously relieved York is the mystery man. I had come up with some truly awful options.”

“Well, I assumed your precious Katie was a loser bitch,” I said after swallowing a syrupy bite of waffle. “I am also tremendously relieved to have been incorrect.”

Rowdy and Kat shared a sweet smile. For months, I’d been jealous of their relationship, even if I was the reason my situation with York remained in the fuck buddy zone.

I had wanted to bring York to parties and family gatherings. I imagined spending nights with him and gossiping about people. Mostly, I had wanted to tell him that he was special and I loved him in a way no one else could.

Yet, even now, as we sat mere feet away, we still acted like strangers trying to hide our feelings for one another.”

YORK

Goldie’s tears relieved me. She was a tough woman who thought crying was a sign of weakness. I had been raised the same way. My parents weren’t the type to emote. Even when my dad passed, my mom put on a mask of tranquility as if the grief couldn’t touch her.

I didn’t want Goldie to pretend the last two days hadn’t happened. She suffered a violent attack and nearly died. If she didn’t process those feelings now, they’d cling to her in the future.

Sitting back and admiring her was my idea of a good day. But Goldie insisted I speak up and engage with her people. I asked Rowdy questions about his sons. They were cute boys. I saw a lot of their mom in them, but they mostly reminded me of their grandfather, Paxton Reed.

The Crimson Guard was heavily intertwined with the Rawlins Heretics and Little Memphis clubs. Goldie had known most of these people since she was a kid.

As the morning wore on, the house filled up. Hazard and Anise Swanson stopped by the couch to give Goldie affection. The Rawlins bikers had a similar vibe to Blackjack and Yarrow. I noticed how much of Hazard and Anise’s concern was focused on Yarrow. The woman was a live wire. Her moods were always on the surface and never lasted long.

Jessica would have no clue how to handle a woman like Yarrow. My mother had been a strait-laced financial executive for most of her life. My path with the military and riding with a motorcycle club confused her enough. I couldn’t imagine how she’d view these people.

Feeling restless, I left the family room and walked down a hallway, past the bedrooms, and out to the back porch. I usually visited my mom once a week unless I was traveling. She didn’t really want me around more since she was busy with her “gray-haired gal pals.”

Jessica and I were so different. I had felt the same way with my father. My reserved upbringing left me stifled. That’s why I joined the military. I wanted a way to get out of Baton Rouge and see the world. College could have offered the same escape, but a little part of me wanted to annoy my parents.

Dialing up Jessica, I walked away from the back porch to give myself a little privacy. The Sorority House’s backyard was large, with various areas for entertainment. I ended up near the basketball court.

After my mom answered, Jessica offered me a detailed speech about how she was very busy but chose to make time for her beloved son.

Once she finished, I said, “I won’t be able to visit this week.”

“That’s fine. My time is absolutely consumed by my new hobby.”

“And what’s that?”

“I’m scrapbooking. You’ll need to give me photos of you and your friends. Everyone here has so many pictures of their grandkids. At least send a few snapshots of your dog.”

“I’ll do what I can,” I said and looked around. “I don’t know when I’ll be back in Baton Rouge.”

Jessica immediately asked, “Are you in prison?”

“No.”