Page 16 of Omen's Bombshell

Omen

YESTERDAY WAS SPENTat Oaklynn’s house while my mom and Melissa had her out shopping and lunch. My dad, Grudge, Homicide, and I all went to paint the nursery and put the furniture my parents bought her in place. Dad ordered a custom built set from someone in Clifton Falls. I’m not sure of the name of the person, but the furniture is the best I’ve ever seen. On each end of the crib are the club’s colors burned into the wood. The wood is a dark cherry and everything matches. Even the toy box that came with the set has our colors burned into the wood at least once. We all spent way more time than necessary staring at the furniture before we put it in place around the nursery. My dad chose a soft yellow for the walls since that color will work for a boy or girl. For the first time since I learned of Oaklynn's pregnancy, I was excited and did more work than anyone else. The nursery has my touch all over it and I swore the guys to secrecy about my help. I’m still so confused and don’t know what I want, but this is one thing I can do to help the woman carrying my son or daughter.

Homicide and I left the house before the girls got back. Neither one of us wanted Oaklynn to know we were in her space. Homicide was supposed to be at work while I’ve never once step foot in Oaklynn’s space. I have to admit I love her little cottage. I don’t see it working for her long term with the baby, but that’s a decision she’ll have to make on her own. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. I’ve had dreams of moving them into my house and making her mine. It’s a dream I have almost on a nightly basis. When I wake up those mornings, I have a smile on my face and my day seems to be a little brighter and better. Feelings I push down deep in my soul so I don’t have to face what they mean. Oaklynn has turned my entire world upside down and she has no clue.

Part of me wanted to stay at the cottage to see her face when she got back to see the nursery and everything that had been done. Instead, I left and had to settle for the pictures Grudge sent me. She had tears falling down her face in them and her mouth was open in shock. The pictures do nothing to show the emotion she felt in that moment when she realized we’d done the one thing she’d been putting off knowing she has a little over a month until her due date. My mom told me when she’s due and I marked it down on the calendar in my phone. If no one else shows up for Oaklynn, I’ll be there. It’s my baby she’s having after all and I won’t let her have him or her alone. Yes, I know my mom and Melissa would be there for her, but it’s not the same.

Today, I’ve spent in my room unless I’ve absolutely needed to leave it because I know my mom is gonna chew me a new ass the second she sees me. Homicide gave me a head’s up that Oaklynn had a breakdown when they were out shopping yesterday because she feels completely alone in the pregnancy and doesn’t want it to be that way. Talk about making a person feel like shit. I know I’m the reason she feels that way, but I can’t seem to pull my head out of my ass to go to her and tell her that I want to be there for her and the baby. I want to go to the doctor’s appointments with her and make sure everything is okay. Instead, I let others go with her and get news second-hand from whoever takes her to each appointment. She’s going on a weekly basis and so far the baby is doing good and she’s right on track to go into labor close to her due date. Thankfully, the attack by those skanks didn’t do any lasting damage and never hurt the baby.

Walking out of my room in the clubhouse after thinking about yesterday while getting ready, I head straight for the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee and a plate of food my mom and Kimber made. My mom has already left for the salon and I’m not sure where Kimber is. The common room is full of men as they get ready to head to work for the day. The room is silent as we all finish waking up. I take a seat at a table with Grudge and dig into my food after taking a large sip of my coffee. I need to be awake for the meeting I have coming up with the fire chief. He called me last week to set up this appointment to discuss a custom built bike for the department. They’re going to auction it off to help start a fund helping injured firefighters and the families of those who lose their lives in a fire or other accident while they’re on duty. They typically do a charity event once or twice a year to add money to various funds and we always help out any way we can. The club always donates a large check to them and most of us attend the event depending on what they do.

“Busy day today?” Grudge asks me when I finally finish my food and push my plate slightly away from me.

“Got the meetin’ with the fire chief about a bike he wants built. Not sure how long that’s gonna last. Then I have to get to the shop to make sure the parts we ordered came in. What are you workin’ on when you get to the shop?” I ask him, not sure if he finished his project yesterday or not.

“I started the bike that needs to be completely rebuilt yesterday. Started gettin’ it torn apart to go through each part so I can see what needs to be completely rebuilt or replaced and what can be fixed. Homicide helped me pull the engine to tear apart and I’m gonna start on that when I get to the shop,” he answers me, his voice raspy from sleep as he drains the last of his coffee.

“Good. I’m gonna head out and get to the meetin’. Let Homicide know he’s in charge until I get back. If you need help, get him to lend a hand,” I tell Grudge before standing from the table and draining my own cup of coffee.

Grabbing my keys from my pocket, I leave the common room and don’t stop until I’m on my bike and straddling it. Starting the engine, I pull on my helmet before revving the engine a few times. I don’t hesitate to take off and leave the compound to head across town for the fire department. It’s still early enough the streets aren’t busy with traffic other than those on their way to work or the old timers heading to the diner for their morning meet-up with their friends in town. They take up several tables in the diner as they eat, drink coffee or tea, and talk about the latest events in their lives. We’ve all seen them as they live their best lives as we listened to them share antics of their grandchildren while bragging on each accomplishment from their child and grandchild. I love seeing them out and about each day. Something about it sets me at ease and makes me want to be the same way with the members of the club when I’m their age.

Pulling into the parking lot of the fire department, I park close to the building in between all the trucks and SUVs parked there already. I don’t leave my bike running once I park as I get off and remove my helmet to hang on my handlebars. Heading inside, I let the first fireman I come to know that I have a meeting with the fire chief. He leads me to the office and shows me inside where I take a seat and pull out my phone to take down notes that I’ll share with the guys I choose to help me on this project once I get back to Calhoun’s.

“It’s good to see you this morning, Omen,” the fire chief greets me, standing from his seat as I copy him and shake his outstretched hand.

“It’s good to see you, too,” I respond, not wanting to drag out this talk and eager to hear if he has any ideas about what he’d like to see on the bike. “So, have you thought about the bike you want built?”

“Yeah. We’ve been discussing it since one of the men brought it up in a meeting. We’d like the bike painted in fire engine red other than the parts that can be chrome. I’ve got the logo for the foundation that funds the help for injured firefighters and the families of those who don’t make it home alive. I’d like that in a prominent place on the bike. Other than that, we don’t have any specifics we’d like to input,” he answers me as an image already starts to form in my mind about how I see this bike coming together.

I pitch the ideas forming and the fire chief listens without interrupting me once. By the time I leave the meeting, we’re on the same page with the build. I give him a frame of time I’ll be done with the project and let him know I’ll update him on every single stage by sending him pictures and letting him know if there’s any delays. The only thing he cares about is that it’s ready to be delivered by the time they have their annual fundraiser in a few months. I don’t see it being a problem, but it might require all hands on deck to get this project done on time. We’ll have to see how things go during the fabrication process.

***

I’ve been in my officefor hours drawing up a possible bike for the fire department. So far I’m really liking the image that’s coming together on the paper in front of me. Once I get it done, I’ll color it in and add in all the small touches that make it perfect for the fire department and what they’re trying to accomplish. I haven’t stopped working since the second I sat down. This is what happens to me when I start a new project. I get sucked in and forget to take breaks or eat as I draw up plans for each and every custom bike based on what the customer wants.

“Have you eaten lunch?” Homicide asks me, breaking me from being lost in this project as he enters my office.

“No. I’ve been working on this drawin’ since I got back. Did the delivery make it here?” I ask him, setting down my pencil and leaning back in my chair while stretching out my back.

Homicide hands over a bag from the diner and I can already smell the burger and fries that are inside. My mouth waters with the thought of eating as I hand over the drawing so I don’t get it greasy or anything. This is the picture we’ll hang on the wall where we build the bike as a point of reference and I hate having to make more than one copy of the thing because I messed it up.

“Have you talked to Oaklynn since yesterday?” my best friend asks me as I dig into the food he brought me.

“No.”

“Omen, I’ve known you a long time. Always heard you talkin’ about remainin’ single and never takin’ on an ol’ lady or havin’ kids of your own. We both know you’re gonna be a dad whether you step up for your baby or not. What are you thinkin’ when it comes to that situation?” he questions me, his voice barely above a whisper as I look across my desk at him with the burger halfway to my mouth.

“Why you askin’, Homicide?” I return, not sure what his deal is today.

“Already told you about the breakdown Oaklynn had yesterday when they were out shoppin’. I know that hurt you to hear regardless of if you keep your shit locked up tight. So, I ask again, what are you thinkin’ about doin’ when it comes to Oaklynn and the baby?”

“I don’t know, Homicide. I refuse to be half in and half out when it comes to a child of mine. I saw the pain my mom was in when my dad was always gone. Even when he was here in town, he spent more time at the clubhouse than he did at home. The business here has been pickin’ up and we’re all puttin’ in more hours. I don’t see that shit lettin’ up anytime soon. So, I wouldn’t be around very much. What good is that for Oaklynn or the baby? I’d rather be all the way out versus in and out of their lives because of work here, club business, runs, and everythin’ else we do,” I tell him honestly, taking a bite of my burger while grabbing a few fries from the package.

“Omen, why can’t you see that you can have both in your life? You can be a member of the club, an officer, work here, and have a family with Oaklynn and the baby. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Yeah, there will be times you have to be away from them, but Oaklynn understands that. She’s not like most women when it comes to a club. She’s been around one since she became friends with Melissa. You’re not your dad and won’t make the same mistakes he did when you were growin’ up,” he states, not taking his eyes off me as he holds the drawing of the bike in his hands.

“How do you know that, Homicide? I’m not you. I’ve never been the type of guy to settle down and be a one woman man. Plus, Oaklynn let me know yesterday she expects nothin’ from me. Not money, to be in the baby’s life, or anythin’ else. Apparently she’s overheard me talkin’ about never havin’ an ol’ lady or kids more than once since the first time she came to the clubhouse. Hearing that only made me feel like a bigger asshole. While I knew that’s how I wanted to live my life, I think it’s changing and I don’t know what to do or think about it. Oaklynn is independent and I know she doesn’t need me in her life. Yes, it hurt me to know she had a breakdown in the middle of the store yesterday and knowin’ it’s because of me. Still doesn’t mean I know what to do,” I tell him, finishing my lunch and throwing the wrappers bag in the bag Homicide brought it in before turning to the mini refrigerator I have in my office and grabbing two bottles of water for us.

“I suggest you figure it out. Melissa told me this mornin’ that Oaklynn doesn’t want to have the baby shower at the clubhouse because she doesn’t want to throw it in your face or anythin’ like that. She’s doin’ everythin’ in her power to make you comfortable no matter how she feels about the situation. Get your head outta your ass and make a move. You’ve never had a problem takin’ what you want before, don’t fuckin’ hesitate now when the outcome matters more than ever before,” Homicide says, finally taking his eyes off of me and looking at the drawing I’ve been working on for hours.

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