Page 65 of Hit and Run
“Have you talked to Wren lately,” Minx asks me.
“I’ve texted with her a little. She’s supposed to come today,” I tell her.
“Is she okay? She hasn’t been around much at all since she’s been dating that guy,” Minx says, concern lacing her voice. Before I get a chance to respond, Wren walks out of the house with Tink, Lolita, and another girl I’ve never seen before.
“She’s here, so everything must be okay right now,” I tell Minx. “Who’s that other girl with them?”
“That’s Marley. She’s staying at the clubhouse for protection for the time being,” Minx explains. “She’s really cool. She’s also taking pictures for Cali and Buster today.”
“Hey,” Wren says as she walks up to us.
“Hey! Long time, no see,” Minx says to her.
“I know, I’m sorry. I’ve been staying with Zack and we’ve been super busy lately,” Wren explains. It sounds like a bullshit excuse, but I don’t tell her that. “Everything looks great. I’m sorry I wasn’t around to help.”
“It’s alright. We’re just glad you’re here,” I tell her.
“How’s everything going? Are you and Zack good,” Minx asks her. Wren glances around the yard, eyes locking on someone. I look to where she’s looking— Sketch.
“We’re doing great.” Wren turns back to us. She forces a smile. “He’s been really good to me.”
I really want to take her somewhere so we can talk alone. There’s something going on that she isn’t saying. That she won’t say unless someone pries it out of her.
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please,” Raze announces. Shade walks up behind me, wrapping his arms around me. “It looks like everyone is here. We’re going to move around to the front of the house for the gender reveal.”
With Cali and Buster leading the way, everyone walks to the front of the house. Diesel’s Charger is decked out with a sign that saysGuns or Roses? Baby Brewer. I look around for Wren, but she disappeared.
“Y’all ready,” Diesel asks.
“Hell yeah,” Buster shouts.
“What do you think it’s gonna be,” Shade whispers in my ear.
“I want it to be a girl, but I think it’ll be a boy,” I tell him.
“I think it’s gonna be a girl,” he says.
We watch as Diesel climbs into his car in the middle of the street. The car roars to life. Marley is taking pictures with her camera while Minx is taking a video on her phone. Diesel starts to do a burnout and as the tires heat up, the smoke turns . . .
“Blue! It’s a boy!” The excitement in Buster’s tone is so contagious. Cali’s face breaks out into the biggest smile as tears roll down her cheeks. Everyone starts cheering. Buster wraps Cali in his arms, kissing her.
“A little, baby Buster,” Shade says. “That’s fucking awesome.”
I never imagined myself falling in love. After what happened with my stepbrother and stepfather, I kept my heart guarded. Until I met Shade. He’s the first guy I can actually picture having a future with. As excited as he is for Buster and Cali, I can’t help but wonder how he would be if it were him and I expecting a baby of our own. We make our way over to Buster and Cali.
“Congratulations, both of you,” I say to them and hug Cali. “I’m so excited for y’all!”
“Imagine all the shit we get to teach him,” Shade says to Buster.
“Yeah, like how American muscle is better than that foreign shit,” Diesel adds in. Cali and I laugh.
“It is too soon to start with that,” Cali tells Diesel. “At least wait until the kid is born.”
Diesel snickers. “You got it. Best believe Uncle D will teach him all about the good stuff,” Diesel says. Shade and Buster laugh.
“Man, get out of here with that shit,” Buster teases him. Shade and I give them both hugs and move out of the way, letting others come to congratulate them.
Minx, Raze, Shade, and I wait to show them our gifts until everyone has left for the evening. As soon as Cali opens the door to Shade’s room, she starts bawling. We got them a stroller to go with the car seat they got from Buster’s parents, the high chair they picked out and a bassinet they wanted. Plus, a bunch of diapers, wipes, clothes, and other little things they’ll need. They were so incredibly thankful for everything. This baby is going to be the most well-loved child ever.
