Page 74 of Shine: Sins of the Father
“Wow, Fiona. You look hot. You sure got your body back fast,” Tori says.
“Well, I worked hard at it. Plus, breastfeeding for the first four months melted the fat away.”
I use a curling iron to make my long hair into pretty waves that fall to my waist and finish up with some smoky makeup and dangling earrings. “God, I can’t remember the last time I dressed up like a girly girl.”
“You sexy thang,” Harley Jean says with a twang.
I finish off with a spritz of perfume from my bag. “Do you think Reckless has any idea about this party?”
“He’s clueless. He was surprised when the guys stopped by to take him out. He thought no one knew it was his birthday.”Harley runs a lipstick over her mouth, then checks her watch. “It’s almost time. I’ve got a special surprise for him. I hope it gets here in time.”
“A surprise? What is it?”
“You’ll see.”
“Look out, girls. She’s being cryptic again.”
Melissa gets a text. “Billy says they’re headed here now. Let’s get out there.”
When we hear the bikes roll up, Skeeter pokes his head in the door and whistles. “They’re here.”
Cole yells for everyone to hide, and he hits the lights, so the place is pitch black.
I giggle behind my hand and squat behind the pool table.
It seems like forever before the door swings open.
“What the fuck?” Billy says. “Did the power go out?”
Once Reckless comes in behind him, Cole hits the lights, and we all jump out and yell.
“Surprise!”
Reckless takes in the banner and streamers and balloons, then grins.
“You do this, prez?”
Cole points across the room, and Reckless’s eyes hit Harley as she walks slowly toward him, grinning.
“C’mere, woman.”
She runs and jumps into his waiting arms, and they kiss.
“Happy birthday, baby,” she says, staring into his eyes.
He smacks her ass. “You plan all this?”
She nods, grinning. “Surprised?”
“Hell, yeah.” Then he glances at Billy. “Now I know why you kept checkin’ your watch.”
“Had to get the birthday boy here on time, brother.” They clasp hands, and Billy pulls Reckless in for a backslap.
The music cranks up, and Reckless is led by his brothers to the bar, where shots are lined up waiting. The party has officially started.
Now that I’m no longer breastfeeding, I partake in my first drink in over a year. Skeeter makes me a lemon drop martini in honor of the occasion, and I thoroughly enjoy it.
I’m on my third, standing at the old jukebox with Harley, when there’s a loud roar outside, and the clubhouse door swings open.
