Page 62 of Gatling
He huffed a laugh.
“Very funny. I can see just fine.”
“Hot dogs and steaks are done,” Tex announced from the barbecue. “Come get your grub, boys.”
A flurry of activity filled the yard as a horde of hungry bikers descended, eager to get their hands on Tex’s mouth watering food. Ever since I casually mentioned that I had been craving biscuits and gravy, he kept my refrigerator stocked with the fattest, fluffiest biscuits I’d ever tasted in my life.
Ryker whistled to get Crash’s attention as he rummaged through the ice cooler full of water, sodas, and beer.
“Hey, kid. Can you get a refill for my girl? Her iced tea is almost dry.”
Crash straightened up, popping the top off a beer. Then he turned around, jabbing his thumb with triumph at the full Blackjacks MC patch across his back.
“Nope,” he said. “I don’t have to do that, brother. I’m not a Prospect anymore.”
Ryker growled. Crash chuckled and sauntered off.
“That damn kid got too big for his britches real quick as soon as he earned his patch.”
I laughed.
“Leave him alone. He’s enjoying himself. Besides, we need to talk.”
Ryker’s gaze slid away from Crash to focus on me.
“About what?”
“When are you going to make me your Old Lady?” I wiggled my bare ring finger at him. “This baby is due in less than two months and you still haven’t proposed.”
“You mean Noah didn’t tell you?” Ryker replied.
My eyebrows shot up.
“Tell me what?”
The corner of his lips twitched with a small smile.
“Nothing. Never mind. Forget I mentioned it.”
“Ryker!”
He laughed. For the first time…ever…Ryker “Gatling” Bridgeslaughed. His head tipped back, eyes crinkling with amusement. He looked so much lighter. If this was a glimpse of what our future looked like together, I couldn’t wait to see how fatherhood continued to change him, filling him with the love he never received before.
Over the past few months, Ryker tried his best to adapt to the rapid-fire changes that had consumed our lives. He moved in with me at my apartment, but I could see how restless he was. Like a wild animal, trapped in a cage that was too small. Circling restlessly. When we got the house, things were better and he calmed down, especially now that he had a backyard with a small wooded area.
My morning sickness abated after my first trimester. Then the hormones kicked in. And I cried over everything. Poor Ryker was baffled by all of it. Most of the time, he was at a loss for words and didn’t know what to say to comfort me. But he held me, and hunted all over town for ice-cream when my cravings hit.
And he read parenting books. Dozens upon dozens of parenting books.
“What are you and Noah plotting?” I demanded.
Ryker plucked my empty glass from my hand and stood, tucking my feet onto the bench.
“I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”
“Oh, youtease,” I replied.
He chuckled and leaned over me to kiss my forehead. I tilted my chin up with a smile.
