For the next couple of hours, we create the perfect graduation party for Dex, one I’m sure Ashley will be losing her mind over. Dex might not be her biological son, but you’d never know it. She loves him so damn much, and the second he rushes off to college this summer, she’s going to be a mess. Hell, she’s gonna be a mess at his graduation party, too, because it’s all one big confirmation he’s grown up and he’ll be leaving.
We planned a barbeque here at the clubhouse and Ashley suggested we invite some of the higher-up members from the Satan’s Raiders MC, Sons of Gods MC, Devil’s Riot MC, Iron Vex MC, Skulls Renegade MC, and the Inferno’s Clutch MC. We’re on good terms with all of them, considering we have solidified alliances with every single one of them, or the club’s currently working on getting an alliance official. I think the only ones the club’s a little unsure about is the Inferno’s Clutch, but from what I’ve heard, it’s only because Zane doesn’t know their club too well. Word on the street is that Reed, the Prez of the Skulls Renegade MC out in Tennessee, has dealt with the Inferno’s Clutch MC quite a bit and he put in a good word for their Prez.
While we only have a couple of weeks before we throw this big shindig, it’s going to be one of the best parties we’ve ever had here. I just have a feeling.
Sydney takes her leave and says she has some studying to do for her AP English class, so we say our goodbyes and Ashley leaves me shortly after. She’d had the baby out here for a few hours and wants to get back home to where Dex is watching Noelle and Fist. Goodness, when he leaves, she’s going to be so short-handed in their house. I’m sure Jordyn and Nova will step up, but who knows. Regardless, Ashley will have as much help as she needs.
The night Hammer and I chatted at the bar, he told me about a girl he believed was his daughter and ended up telling me he got a paternity test done with her. She’s been staying in the Vixens’ house and a few of the ladies there are taking her under their wing.
She’s a gorgeous girl, with a light mocha skin color and long black and purple braids. She’s probably a foot shorter than Hammer, but from what I’ve observed already, I’d say she’s a spitfire. The girl has sass and I like that about her.
I slide out of the booth and look down at my cell, seeing three missed texts. I tap on my text icon and my heart sinks into my stomach.
From: Mom
Remember what I said. I’ll do it.
When will you be here? We have a job to do.
Don’t make me hurt them!
She’s the type who would take it out on innocent people, too. As a kid, I didn’t realize how corrupt she is, but as an adult, I saw it very clearly. She’s a different type of evil, but it makes sense how she ended up with a man like my stepfather.
I shake my head and stick my phone in the back pocket of my jeans before heading over to the kitchen. I need a tall glass of ice water to calm my nerves, that’s for sure. Only, upon turning the corner, I run straight into the one man I’ve been kind of avoiding the last day—Hammer.
Why am I avoiding him?
Well, things feel off between us.
I slept in his bed the other night after we hadn’t spoken for ages and now things are even more awkward. We stare at each other from across the room and I think we’re both caught wondering what we do now. I can say without a doubt I’ve had far too many thoughts about him in . . . less than heated circumstances.
Yet the way his eyes stare down into mine causes my heart to beat ten times faster, my palms to go sweaty, and for me to become a complete idiot.
“Hey,” his tone comes out smooth and nurturing, and with one word, I know I’m in for it.
My heart’s pulling me closer to him and I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop myself.
Part of me wants to give in, but then I remind myself Hammer doesn’t know about my past. About the things that’ve shaped me into the woman, I am today. I never planned on telling anyone, but if there was ever anyone I’d share the skeletons in my closet with, it’d be him.
Chapter Nine
Find someone who knows how to calm your storms
~ Bliss
Hammer
“Hey there yourself,” she replies, quickly averting her eyes to look at the ground.
“You alright?” I ask her, searching for some sort of answer.
She nods her head once and clears her throat. “Yeah. Are you?”
“I am, as much as I can be anyway.” I don’t shy away from being truthful with her. Things with my dad haven’t been getting any better, and in all honesty, they’re getting worse. Things with Oakleigh being around have been distracting me from feeling too much in regard to my father, but her being around isn’t shielding me from the fear I have settling in the pit of my stomach.
“How’s your dad?” Shiloh’s question is exactly what I don’t want to be hearing right now, but I breathe in through my nose and answer her.
“He has an infection, different than the one he had the other day. The fever went away for a few hours and came right back, so they’re trying to figure out what type of infection it is. Their infectious disease doctor has been running a bunch of tests, but so far, we don’t have any sort of answer as to what it is. My ma hasn’t wanted to leave his side, but the moments she is, it’s only because my sister has volunteered to be at the hospital with dad.”
Shiloh looks back up into my eyes and the sorrow is evident. “I’m so sorry, Hammer.”
“He’s gonna be okay. I’ve seen the man survive some nasty shit.” I’m quick to say it, but I don’t think I believe a word of it. He’s the strongest man I know and yet an infection is why he’s still in the hospital. It fucking sucks, ‘cause there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it.
She grabs onto my hand and gives me an encouraging squeeze. “I have faith he’s going to do his best to pull through this.” She means every word and it’s obvious. Shiloh has always been like this, though, a ray of positivity whenever someone needs it.
“Thank you,” I murmur, then quickly change the subject. “You seen Oakleigh around?”
Shiloh shakes her head. “Last I knew, she was over at the Vixens house.”
“She passed out like an hour ago, said she was exhausted,” Ruby says as she passes by where we’re standing.
“Oh, okay. She alright?” Hammer questions.
Ruby gives him a quick nod. “Yep. I think the last few days have been a lot for her, you know?”
“Okay, cool. When she wakes up, can you tell her I want to have a chat?”
Ruby nods. “Sure. I won’t be around. Zorro’s taking me out to a late dinner, but I’ll tell Rosa and she can tell the other ladies.”
“Thanks, Ruby, I appreciate it,” I reply as Ruby walks into the kitchen.
In my hand lies the results of the paternity test we had done the other day. “Is that what I think it is?” Shiloh asks me.
“Yeah,” I tell her, unfolding the paper. I hand it over to her and watch as she reads it. She’s so focused and then her eyes expand and a smile breaks across her face.
“You have a daughter, Hammer.” I should’ve known Shi would’ve been the happiest for me.