“Look, I fell for you the night we met. I don’t know how you feel about me, if anything, but…”
He cuts me off. “While we’re being honest, I can’t let myself fall for someone who has no hope. How I see it, the future is fucked up. I can’t… I won’t, sit around and try to build something while you slowly die without a fight.”
If that’s what is holding him back, I jump in, “What if I promise I’ll try? Having this baby… I want us to be a family, or at least give it a go. I just worry that it will all be for nothing.”
He flicks his cigarette behind him and slides around the table to sit beside me.
Cupping his hand to my cheek, I lean into his warmth. I’m always looking for one of those special moments and deep in my soul, this feels like one of those moments.
“If you try it won’t be for nothing. If the worst happens, I want to know we did everything we could, that I’ll be able to tell our kid that you did all you could.”
This is it.
I’ve got him.
It’s finally happening.
“I’ll make you my old lady. I’ll do right by you and our kid.”
“I’ll fight. For you, I’ll fight.”
I don’t know who leans in first, but regardless, our lips meet, and I wrap my arms around his neck, fully aware of his wounded arm.
“To be clear, we’re together?” I ask.
He nods.
“And that means you’re mine?”
He nods again.
“Always mine, and no one else’s?”
“I’ll be good to you, Annie. I’ll be at your side whenever you need me.”
This is what life is about. This is how my life is supposed to be.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Shane
I’m more than exhausted. We’ve been fighting for months with no respite and though we’re riding home, I don’t hold much hope that we won’t be sent back out without rest. Myself, the twins, and Dex, have been riding home for the last four days and I’m about ready to say goodbye to my ass it’s so fucking dead with numbness.
Leo’s out front of the gates talking to the sheriff. She eyes each of us as we ride past her and into the club.
I pass my usual spot and ride to the new house I rent from the club. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it when I was looking for Annie a few months back. Once she heard about it, the house in town was quickly forgotten about.
It’s been two months since we moved in and it still feels weird when I let myself in, coming home to an old lady and a kid on the way. Though it does offer a little more stability.
Every time I come home there’s something new in the house. Today, there’s a new rug in the living room with a new armchair and a new table and chairs set-up in the kitchen. The huge fridgethat was delivered last week is filled with every food and drink known to man and I grab a bottle of beer. Twisting the cap off, I toss it in the trash and make my way upstairs.
Annie’s still sleeping in our new bed with new bedding, and I fall into the new rocking chair that showed up a few weeks ago. She has money that’s for sure and she’s not afraid to spend up.
I sip my beer as I watch her chest rise and fall. I find myself no longer tired from the long ride and fight with the Hades Hog fuckers, I’m content to sit here and watch her take every breath, wondering how many more she will get to take.
I’m scared as shit for her, yet I can’t show it in front of her. Perhaps this is my karma for all the women I’ve fucked and ducked out on. I think I’m falling in love with this woman, and I have no idea if she’ll be here with us this Christmas.
How the fuck am I going to raise a kid on my own, if the worst should happen.
