Page 68 of Heartbeats & Highways

“What are you thinking about?”

“Can I ask you something?” I asked.

“Sure.”

“Why was Doc so surprised that I wanted you at the appointment? It was like she didn’t know we were together.”

He sighed. “She didn’t know we were together. She does now, though.”

“Wait, are youhidingme?” I demanded. “I’m not really your Old Lady, am I?”

“Yes, you are,” he stated emphatically. “But you’ve got to understand . . . I haven’t talked to the club about it yet.”

“Talk to the club, what does that mean?”

“It means when a brother wants to make a woman his Old Lady, they discuss it in Church. That’s what we call our meetings.”

“But why?” I asked in confusion. “Our relationship is about you and me. No one else.”

“You know how I told you being an Old Lady is more than just being a wife? If something were to happen to me . . . the club would take care of you. You and the baby—fuck,babies. You get a family when you become an Old Lady. So that’s why brothers talk about it in Church. It’s a commitment from dozens of people to care for you for the rest of your life, so it’s very much their business.”

“Oh.” I nibbled my lip. “And you haven’t talked about it in Church yet. Why not? You sure you’re not waiting for?—”

“Willa and Duke are my best friends. We’ve been friends since we were kids, long before the club was ever in the picture. I want you to meet them first before I take it to Church.”

“I see.”

“That’ll happen soon. But I . . .”

“What?” I demanded.

He grinned at me. “Want you to myself for just a little while longer.”

Chapter 19

Three Kings was still closedby the time Savage dropped me off. Roman had given me a set of keys, so once I had the key into the lock and the door partially open, I turned toward the parking lot and waved to Savage.

I slipped inside and closed the door, locking it behind me, and then I went to disarm the alarm. I dug the folder out of my bag and set it on the counter.

I took a seat on the stool and opened the folder. I pulled out the sonogram and stared at it again before setting it aside. I read through the information that Doc had provided.

It was suddenly all too overwhelming, and the first sob broke past my lips, shattering the silence in the room. I was in the middle of a sob fest when the sound of a key in the lock startled me. The door opened and Homer stepped inside.

I paused mid cry as his eyes met mine and then a fresh set of tears fell. He quickly closed the door.

“Why are you crying?” he grumbled.

I cried harder.

Homer approached the counter, his gaze riveted on the sonogram. He picked it up and I lunged for it, but he took a step back and I couldn’t reach it.

He looked at it and frowned. “Did you get bad news at the doctor?”

“No.”

“Then why are you crying?” Homer glanced down at the sonogram again.

“Because I’m having twins and I’m terrified, you moron!” I yelled.

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