Page 52 of Baja
Ophelia pulls out pots and pans. “Seriously, how is everyone holding up?” She pauses, looking over her shoulder at me. “You doing okay, Baja? I know a lot has been handed to you.”
“You know me.” I lean back, stretching out the knots in my back. “It’s everyone else I’m concerned with.”
“Well, someone needs to worry about you too,” Ophelia states, and I let it resonate with me for a second, grateful for her concern. Truth is, I’m conflicted with the shit going on, but there are some things you have to roll with and figure out along the way, and this happens to be one of them. “How’s Alice holding up? I’m sure she and Sukie are devastated over all this.”
“Alice is more concerned with Sukie than herself,” I tell her.
Ophelia nods. “As a mother always is.” She peeks at Harlem. “What about Sukie?”
“Dealin’ with it the only way she knows how.” His voice is rough.
Ophelia hums while cracking eggs into a bowl. “Those poor ladies have been through more than most could handle. Butone thing about them is they keep getting back up again.” She pauses. “The same goes for Lily. She’s pregnant and scared out of her mind, then her daddy takes off to handle the mess on his own.” She shakes her head. “Breaks my heart. But I tell you what…” she turns and points her spatula at me, then Juneau and Harlem, “… it’s damn good to see women like them, find men who know their worth and are loyal and dedicated to taking care of them. Love is a hard thing to come by in life.”
Her words hit like a gut punch.
I glance at Juneau and Harlem.
Before the conversation can get heavier, boots slapping against the floor echo from the hallway. Mystic strides in, his little girl Lorelei perched on his hip, and she’s clutching, with her dad’s help, Ozzy, looking unbothered by being hauled around like a sack of potatoes.
“Ozzy is hungry,” Lorelei announces, and Mystic lowers his daughter and cat to the floor.
I watch Lorelei lift Ozzy and, with effort, tote him across the kitchen. Seeing a massive, laid-back cat in her tiny arms makes everyone laugh, even Harlem. Ophelia helps by opening a can of cat food, and Lorelei sits it on the floor for the Oz man to devour. And just like that, the tension in the room eases a bit.
It’s only a short time before more members filter into the kitchen, the noise level rising with each new arrival. The smell of frying bacon and pancakes quickly fills the kitchen, mingling with the strong coffee aroma and the hum of conversation. I lean back in my chair. This is what it’s supposed to be like, and most days, it is. Life may be messy and complicated right now, but this is why we trudge through the muck.
Then my woman strides in, looking like a storm just passed through—hair all messed up, rocking one of my shirts like a badge of honor. Her eyes lock onto me, and she makes a beeline in my direction. When she’s at my side, I pull her in tight, myarm wrapping around her thighs. “You good?” I murmur, my voice low and rough.
She gives me a sleepy grin that could light up the night. “Better now.”
“That’s what I like to hear. Now, give me those lips.” I slam my mouth to hers.
The moment doesn’t last long before the kitchen door swings open again, and Laredo pops his head in. “We’ve got company,” he announces, which has everyone on their feet.
I leave the kitchen and head toward the main room, where my parents are standing. My kid sister Lucy’s face lights up, and she bolts across the room.
“Nash,” she squeals, jumping up and wrapping her arms around my neck.
“Hey, squirt,” I say, laughing at her excitement. She’s grown since the last time I saw her.
My parents hang back a second, then Dad rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry to show up like this. We stopped by your place, but you weren’t there. Tried calling too, but…”
“Shit,” I mutter. “Left my phone in the room,” I admit. “Glad you’re here.” My words are genuine despite the upheaval surrounding the club right now. I cross the room and wrap my mom in a tight embrace. “Hey, Ma.”
“It’s good to see you, sweetheart.” She hugs me back.
I then turn to my dad. “How’s it goin’, old man?” I clasp his shoulder.
“Good, but I’ll be doin’ even better if you get me some of that bacon I’m smelling.” He pulls me in for a hug.
“You’re not supposed to have bacon, Daddy,” my sister quips.
“What the doctor doesn’t know won’t hurt him,” my dad fires back.
“Honey…” Mom shoots him a look, and I chuckle.
“You women better get off my back. This one time won’t kill me,” Dad states, and Mom sighs.
The room quickly fills, and I notice Alice slowly approaching us. By the way she’s fidgeting with the hem of the shirt, I can tell she is a ball of nerves. “Mom, Dad. This is my woman, Alice.”
