Page 20 of Property of Riptide
“Alright, pack up your swim gear and I’ll follow you back to the clubhouse,” Riptide directs. Turning back to Icer, he holds out his arms and plucks my son out of Icer’s hands which has the man growling. “You have to share, Icer. Go to Elodie, we’ll meet you there.”
“Fine, I’ll go take care of my princess. But you’re coming, right?” Icer asks, turning my way.
“We’re coming,” I promise. “I’m not going to take him away from you and the club, Icer. He needs all of his uncles, including you.”
With a nod of his head he strolls away. “I’m beginning to see a pattern here,” Riptide announces. “Kids are his kryptonite. The only time he shows true emotions is when he’s with them.”
“It’s because they’re innocent and don’t have ill-will or intentions. He knows they won’t hurt him and they need him. It’s the adults he doesn’t trust or want around. As long as he treats them good, that’s all we should care about.”
“He’d never hurt a kid, I believe that with my whole heart,” Riptide announces. “He knows what it’s like to be vulnerable and unable to defend yourself.”
“It’s why he makes a perfect defender for them, Riptide.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more. Come on, let’s get y’all packed up and this shit put away,” he says, looking at the overflowing buggy. “What did he do, buy out the store?”
“No, just the baby section,” I giggle. “He snapped his teeth at me anytime I tried to put something back. I finally gave up and decided anything we won’t use we can donate. His heart was in the right place.”
“That’s an assembly of words I never thought I’d hear strung together when it comes to my burly brother,” Riptide chuckles. “You see him, don’t you?”
“I see him,” I confirm. “It’s a shame people don’t look deeper and see the real him. They judge him by his exterior not what’s inside.”
“Thank you, Van. Not many people give him the chance to be himself. He’s scared of showing others that side of him, so when he does and opens up, it should be seen as the treasure it is.”
“You don’t have to thank me for being a decent human being, Riptide. If people are so closed-minded, they’re going to lose out on the good things life has to offer.” With that said, I unlock the door and grab Gagey from him so he can bring in the bags.
Within thirty minutes, the bags are unloaded, unpacked, stored, and we’re packed up and ready to go. I’m kinda looking forward to watching these grown assed men in swim trunks while trying to outmaneuver Elodie.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Riptide
I’ve never laughed so hard in my entire life. Brothers are going down the slide with beers held over their heads. Most of them end up receiving a shower from them while the others toss theirs to the side when they’re in for a hard landing.
Elodie, always the task master, has everyone in a one line file, but it’s a given that after she has her turn she gets to cut in line before the next one up. She has Icer standing there as her personal guard, making sure the participants are in compliance with her decree.
“Those two are going to run the world one day,” Van surmises, her voice whisper light. “She’s the brains and he’s the brawn.”
“You have no idea,” Zoey inserts. “Together, they remind me of that cartoon, Pinky and the Brain.”
Little G is in my arms, cooing and flailing his limbs through the air. He’s obsessed with the slip ‘n slide, but my old bones needed a break and Van doesn’t really care for the contraption and haschosen not to take a turn. Icer is otherwise occupied taking orders from the mini tornado to take him down it, so instead, we’re sitting near a sprinkler, letting it hit us now and then to keep the rays from the sun from roasting us completely. There are a few overhead tents popped up that are providing some extra shade, and we are sitting beneath one. Misters are being set up around the canopies so that’ll add some extra relief to the heat.
Even this time of year, when the weather should be starting to cool, Texas is still in the higher digits to where it’s sweltering and uncomfortable being outdoors. There are times I’m jealous of our northern chapters who are wearing jeans instead of shorts, that is, until I realize they have to store their bikes during snowstorms, then I’m thankful we live in a warmer climate because I can’t stand being caged—even if it is in a lifted pickup truck that stands taller than most diesels.
“Got a second?” Rio asks, angling his head sideways letting me know he wants this chat to be covert and had in private.
“Sure,” I tell him, passing the baby to his mother before telling her, “I’ll be right back.”
She smiles up at me and says, “Take your time. It’s his nap time so I’m going to see if I can get him to close his eyes for a bit. Indiana went inside to find a portable fan.”
“If he can’t find one, have him come see me. I’ll direct him to where I have one stored,” Rio orders.
“You have a hidden fan?” I ask, raising my brows at him.
“Sure the fuck do. These assholes will snatch it and I’ll never see it again if I don’t,” Rio discloses. “Around here, everything is fair game.”
I emit a short, sharp laugh as I follow him through the line of brothers and into the clubhouse. When the breeze from the air conditioner slaps me in the face, I sigh. “Damn. You don’t realize how fucking hot it is out there until you come inside.”
