Page 62 of Hounds Ascend
Cass comes into the kitchen, and I know he’s overheard our conversation by his comment.
“It’s over. There isn’t a Moccasin left in the whole state, baby.”
The guys cheer, raising bottles and cans of beer in toast. It’s finally over. The war is over. I’m ecstatic and I can see the same excitement in the faces all around the kitchen, including the extra sleepy one that was walking in behind Cass. Raven’s hairis pulled into a ponytail and her face is red from just washing it.
“What are y’all cheering about?” she asks as she maneuvers through everyone, headed straight for the refrigerator.
“It’s over. It’s finally fucking over!” Mindy shouts, throwing her hands up and wincing as she eases them back down.
“Fuck yeah. Where’s Micah and the guys?” she asks, looking around.
“They should be getting here soon. He just called me a few minutes ago saying they were done and on their way here. That’s what woke me up.”
Raven smirks. “I’m so ready for him to be here so we can go home. No offense, guys. I’ve enjoyed being here and all, but I got shit to do back home at our clubhouse. We have a party coming up, which means I’ll be doing everything for it.”
“None taken, love. I’m ready forallof you to leave, no offense, because I need to christen my house…and that’s frowned upon when other people are in it.” I smile at Cass whose face mirrors mine.
“Must not have been too frowned upon a few hours ago…” Carrie mumbles, gaining laughter from the entire room.
“Oh, that? That was just breakfast, guys. Tonight, we’re having a four-course meal,” Cass grins and wraps his arm around my shoulder.
“That’s it. We won’t be here when dinner time rolls around,” Lucy says, smiling.
The air in the room is filled with ease. Tension is no longer present and for that, I am utterly grateful. It’s about time wecan breathe easily. Though Cass said the war was over, I can’t help but wonder if it istrulyover or not. What if they had other charters that were going to seek revenge? What if Keith knew too much and passed that information on to someone else? I push those thoughts to the back of my mind as best I can. I don’t want to think of the bad things that could happen, especially since I’d just been able to see such great things this morning.
“Quit worrying,” Cass whispers, his lips grazing my ear.
“I’m not.”
“You’re also not a very good liar. Quit worrying. It’s over, baby. Now, the only thing you need to be worried about is how I’m going to fuck you seven ways from Sunday for dinner tonight. And don’t even get me started on dessert.”
***
Two months later…
“Babe! They’re here!” Cass shouts from the living room.
I’d made him sit in there to watch for them since I couldn’t. My mom and her husband David had finally made it in to see the new house and meet Cass. I have been a nervous wreck all morning as I ran around the house like a hummingbird in a cardboard box. I’m stressed out trying to make sure everything is perfect for their arrival.
I’ve been cooking all day, after I cleaned and ran around like crazy. Now they’re finally here. When I’d told Cass about mymom coming down, he insisted we cook a nice dinner and have them over. I even put on a dress and some make-up. I hear the front door open and the warm sound of my mother’s voice as she greets Cass. I untie the apron around my waist and hang it on a hook. I nearly run through the short hallway that separates the kitchen from where the front door is.
There she stands. My mother. In a low-cut v-neck that’s different shades of blue and green with a black neckline and white in between the colors of the design and a pair of faded blue jeans on. Her black, high-heeled ankle boots complete her outfit. David stands next to her in a blue plaid shirt and jeans, with his own cowboy boots and hat to match. They aren’t even all the way inside the door when I barrel into them.
“Momma!” I pull her into a hug, inhaling the familiar scent of Obsession perfume and cigarettes. One of the most comforting smells on the planet. I haven’t seen her in months and now that’s she’s finally here, I want her to stay.
“Hey, honeys!” She hugs me in a vice-like grip for a few moments too long, but I don’t mind.
“Mom, this is my boyfriend Cass. Cass, this is my mother, Margie and her husband, David,” I say, motioning between them.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you!” My mom hugs Cass in greeting. While they get themselves acquainted, I give David a quick hug. He has been around for a few years, but they travel so much that I had hardly gotten time to get to know him deeper than just in passing.
“I’m glad y’all are home,” I say warmly as David shakes Cass’s hand. They begin talking and I turn to my momma.
“How long are y’all in town for?”
“Well…David took a job down here! So, we’re home for good.”
I squeal at the news. “Oh my god! Mom, why didn’t you say something sooner?”
