Page 2 of Cooper
Cotton looks at the bike, then me. “She’s looking good. I’m ready to get this done. What magazine called? Was it Customs US?”
I think a second. “Yeah, that’s it. How’d you know?”
He smirks. “Because, jackass, I was the one that had Saige and Bexley, along with the guys call and nominate us. It was a contest about custom made bikes and the men who build them. If they called it means we won.”
I run my hand through my hair. “Did I not know about it, or did I forget?”
Cotton laughs. “You probably forgot. I told you about it, but that was back when Saige was in the hospital, so it probably slipped your mind with everything going on.”
“Yeah. It’s been crazy. Can you believe that Saige and Loki’s birthday is coming up? And she could have the twins any day now. Tech’s still trying to keep an eye on Michael, but apparently, he’s keeping a low profile. His brother John just had a huge party in the capital, but he never showed up. And he’s watching for Rancor too. Dad is going to go talk to Tonya. See if he can get any truth from her.”
Cotton doesn’t look happy with that piece of knowledge. Hell, I’m not happy about it either. Just means we have to keep our eyes and ears open even more. It’s hell on the nerves for all of us. He shakes his head and sighs, stating, “I hate this. I hate it more for the girls. They feel so suffocated. Oh, by the way Bex wants you to call her before you leave. She said she needs to know what desserts you want her to bring home to the clubhouse. I told her she could never go wrong with lemon.”
I laugh at that. Yeah, I love lemon. “Hey, man, you go call that magazine back. I’ll finish this last little bit so that you can wire it.” Cotton gives me a salute as he walks out front to call Customs US back. I can’t believe I forgot about that. But Cotton’s right, with all the stress going on, it’s not a wonder that I did. I shake my head, turn back to the bike, and get to work.
Three
Tires
I stretchout my back and arms, Cotton is doing the same. It’s been a long day, but with Ryker’s and Skip’s help, we got this bike together, running, and ready to go. The lady that ordered it will be here in the morning to pick it up. It’s a beautiful work of art, painted a bright blue with chrome accents. I look over at the guys, saying, “Great job y’all. This beast is beautiful! I know that the customer will love it. Let’s call it a day. We’ve been going at it nonstop and we don’t have anything else to do. Tomorrow, Ryker, I need you and Skip to drive up to Richmond, Virginia to pick up three bikes there. We’ve got a lot of work we’ll have to do with them when you get back. Take the big trailer to put them in.”
Ryker nods at me. “Will do boss. We’ll head out by nine at the latest in the morning.” Skip agrees as they head out to go do whatever it is, they’re going to do tonight.
I look at Cotton. “You and Saige have anything planned tonight? I thought I might bring Bex over to visit, see the progress that has been made on our house out there. I know Ryker said that he was waiting on a few supplies to be delivered tomorrow evening before they can finish up.”
Cotton stretches again. “Yeah, it’s looking good so far. I swear they all look like little cabins compared to our house. I still wish Stone hadn’t had me make it so big, but I get it. As far as plans, we don’t have any. Saige is on bedrest mostly until the babies come, and if she goes into the kitchen, she sits to do any work. She doesn’t stand for long. I can’t wait for the twins to be here.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I know sis can’t wait either. She told me last night when I talked to her that she felt like a beached whale.”
Cotton shakes his head, “Yeah she says that a lot. Let’s get out of here. You and Bexley come on over when y’all are ready.”
I give him a chin lift as we head our separate ways once we both pull into the compound. I park at the clubhouse; he rides on out to the lake and their house. As I walk in the door, I hear laughter coming from the bar. I walk on back to my room so that I can get a shower. Bexley will be back soon and I know she’ll shower before we head over to see Saige. I can’t wait to give her the outfits that we found for the twins; we even got a couple for Bethany.
I’m walking into the room with a towel around my waist as Bex walks in. She just stops staring at me. We’ve made out some, and she gives me hand jobs, but she won’t let me do much to her. I think it may be her past with Michael that is screwing with her head, not letting her go further in our relationship. She smiles as she comes toward me, then tip toes up to give me a quick kiss. “I’ve got to get in the shower. I got covered in strawberry jam that was supposed to go into the strawberry cloud cake. When I opened the jar, it went everywhere. Cotton must’ve tightened the lid good, because it exploded,” she says laughing.
I can’t help but laugh too. I move so she can get her shower. “Hey babe, when you get done, we’re going to Saige’s for a bit. I thought we could take the outfits we got over to them. And y’all could talk shop for a bit.” Bex nods as she grabs some clothes and shuts the bathroom door. I hate how she feels she has to hide herself from me. Maybe I can get Sis to talk to her. I shoot Saige a text and get dressed.
Four
Bexley
I hatehow I feel right now. I feel so down on myself. Michael hurt me so bad when we were together, and I hate that I am pushing Coop away some. I just don’t know how to talk to him about it without feeling like a freak. I’m having to wash my hair twice to get all the jam out. I hope Saige doesn’t get upset about it. Wolfe had a great laugh when it happened. At least he did until I threw some on him. It shocked us both that I did. I get out of the shower, dry off, and get dressed. Leaving my hair wet, I comb it out, brush my teeth, and I’m ready to go.
We take the ATV out to Saige’s house, and see Bacon sitting on the porch. “Hey y’all what’s up? Bex, you don’t have any strawberry jam on you to throw, do you?”
I laugh, “No, I don’t have any on me. I plan to get some more from Saige though. How did you find out?”
He holds his phone up, “Hawke caught it on video when you threw it at Wolfe. He sent it to everyone. I love the look of shock on both of y’alls faces. It’s hilarious. But it’s also great to see you coming out of your shell.”
I just smile at that. “Thank you, Bacon. I’m trying to get back to the old me. It’s slow going. I’m having to relearn who I am all over again. “
Cooper puts his hand on my back, “Babe, you are doing great. We’re all here to help if you need us to.” Bacon nods his head in agreement. Cotton is standing in the doorway listening and he gives me a thumbs up. I grin at him as he nods his head for us to come in.
“Saige is in the room we have set up down here. She’s watching tv. Bethany just finished her bath and will probably show up in there in a few. You go ahead, go see her, chat. I know she’ll enjoy the company. Come on Tires, lets get a beer and head down to the playroom. Lynch is down there waiting.”
I walk down the hall to the room that Saige is in. I love the bed in here, and I have already told Coop that I want one when we get the house. Saige looks up, smiles really big when I sit down beside her. I lean over to give her a hug. “How’re you feeling?” I ask her.
“I’m ready for these kids to be here. How’re you? I see that all the jam came out of your hair.” She laughs. I can’t help but laugh too.
