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1531 Words
“You know, Jax proposed to me when I was pregnant with you, Lottie and we didn’t even know. We found out three months down the line.”
I burst out laughing even though Mum has told me this story a million and one times.
“Yeah. I was broke as s**t. We were looking for rent money, but we didn’t know that we had bigger expenses to cater to. Thank God my princess is all grown now. I can’t believe she’s getting married.” My father chips in, a smile playing on his lip as he walks over to where I’m setting the table, leans over and kisses my cheek.
After a week at the club house, we finally made it to the family house, and Mum said the first thing we needed to do was celebrate my engagement to Alex and my graduation from college, and so, she decided to host a dinner party, inviting literally everyone in Iron Ridge.
Our house is a stark contrast to the clubhouse. White walls, expensive art hanging on the wall and a very strong lavender scent—per Mum’s preference.
I stand at the table in a girly sundress like the prim and proper daughter of President Jax and Old lady Emmaline, waiting for the guests to arrive. Only, there’s nothing prim and proper about me.
I did not even want to put on this dress in the first place.
Mum forced me, talking about some ‘you’re gonna be a wife now, Lottie’. Dress like a wife.
Instead of feeling like a wife, I feel like a statue that has been dressed to fit into the standards of how an old lady should look.
“I’m just so happy for you, baby. My little girl is all grown.” Mum says, causing me to smile.
Just then, we hear a knock on the door.
The guests have begun to arrive.
I make my way to the entrance, hoping to see any member of the Iron Disciples Motorcycle Club. Not just anyone, but a specific person…
When Alex steps into the living room with his parents, the smile disappears instantly.
“Hi baby.” He steps closer, hugging me as his boring citrus scent envelopes my nostrils.
“Hii.” I wave while he hugs me awkwardly.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer.” I greet his parents, leading them to sit at the table.
Within the next few minutes, every member of Iron Ridge MC steps in with their old ladies, looking good.
They all come bearing gifts.
The party is about to get started, but there’s an empty seat.
The one across from me. Right next to Alex’s father.
It’s supposed to be Cade’s seat, but he’s not here.
No one looks worried except for me. Why isn’t he here?
My heart beats really fast as I look around.
All the while, Alex is rubbing his thumb against the back of my hand while he chats away about some s**t.
The other bikers chatter about s*x and money while my father sits there, smiling at whatever the f**k my mother is saying.
Okay, but where is Cade?
He needs to come so that this dinner can get started.
“Guys, we’ve waited for Cade for far too long. I don’t think he’s coming tonight. Let’s get the party started.” My father gets up and says.
Everyone claps while my heart sinks.
But he’s your best friend, dad.
This is a very important moment in your life as well as his life. Our lives.
He’s my Uncle Cade.
My mother beckons at the servers in the kitchen, and soon, they stuff plates with heaps of delicious food before they begin to serve.
I pick up my fork, uneasiness washing over me as I watch everyone eat.
My fork is suspended in the air with food when the front door pushes open.
He strides in so casually as though he isn’t extremely late to my engagement party.
His presence feels like a black smudge against the white canvas that this house is. Like he should not be here, but he somehow found his way here.
He is wearing a black button-down that strains against his shoulders. Ink peeks out of his collar and his sleeves as he makes his way to the dining table.
He looks so dangerous and delicious at the same time.
If I could get him to myself, I’d….
No, Lottie. Not today.
It’s your engagement party.
He clears his throat, pulling a hip flask out of his pocket before he takes a swig like a gentleman when he’s everything but.
“Hello everyone, sorry I’m late. My Ducati was having issues, and so I had to bring the Kawasaki.” He smiles a sinister smile.
No one utters a word, but they all get up, letting him make his way to the empty chair reserved for him.
As soon as he takes a seat, his gaze finds mine, lingering on my face a little too long before his eyes begin to rove down, slowly.
I’m blessed in the breasts department, and as much as I didn’t want to wear this sundress tonight, I’m glad I did because my cleavage is out and he’s staring at it.
He blinks away once he catches me staring, picking up his fork while he digs into the mountain of food in front of him.
“So, tell me, Alex. When you finally wife Lottie up, what are your plans for your future. I’m talking about career and everything else.” My father asks so casually when more than half of the table is done with their meal.
Alex clears his throat.
“Umm, I have a lot of plans and ideas because I plan to spoil Lottie silly.” He giggles and looks around.
He sees that everyone is paying rapt attention to what he’s about to say, and so the smile wipes from his face.
“I have plans of going into investment banking once all of this is said and done. Also, I love Lottie so much, and so I’m willing to embrace the club life and if you all let me, I’ll love to get a position at the club. I don’t mind starting small.” He smiles and everyone at the table smiles, too.
“You sure know how to take care of a woman!” Conan yells, clapping with a proud smile on his face.
I stare at Cade, and see that he’s already staring at me.
I grab my fork, heaping some food on it before I slowly put it in my mouth.
I’m sure to let a pea seed fall down to my cleavage.
Looking around to ensure that no one else is observing the both of us, I pick the pea up and put it in my mouth seductively, wiping the area it fell clean with a napkin.
In the process, the napkin falls to the group—I intentionally make it fall.
I lean over, reaching down to pick up my napkin when an idea pops up in my head as soon as I see the combat boots Cade is wearing.
Instead of picking the napkin up, I reach for his leg, sliding my fingers up his thighs until my hand is merely inches away from his crotch.
Just then, I feel him grab my hand tightly.
I pant.
“Lottie, darling, are you doing alright over there?” Mum’s voice cuts through the dining room.
Embarrassment washes over me .
“I’m, yes mum. I’m looking for my napkin.”
“You can leave it and come up. There’s plenty of spare napkins.”
I pull my hand from Cade’s grip but it only tightens.
I tap his thigh with my free hand and he lets me go.
I come back up, landing on my seat as I stare into his eyes.
His eyes convey one message.
Stop playing games with me.
“So, to end this night, I will love to raise a toast.” Alex grabs a glass of wine, getting up.
Everyone grabs their wine glass as well, holding it up for a toast.
“I’d love to raise a toast to the beautiful future that Lottie and I are about to have. I’d love to raise a toast to the friends we’re going to make in this town. I’d love to raise a toast to the beautiful children she’ll have for me. Cheers.”
Everyone cheers him on, clinking their glasses together.
“I love you too much, baby. Too much.” He tells me.
“Stand up and join your fiance.” Mum whispers and I do.
Instead of looking to his eyes, I’m looking into the eyes of my father’s best friend and he looks bored as f**k. Like he’d rather be anywhere than here.
He grabs the glass of wine and chugs it down.
Alex kisses my cheek and just then, Cade stares at me.
There’s a flicker of something unadulterated lurking in his eyes.
Is it possessiveness?
Anger?
Jealousy?
I can’t quite figure it out because it’s gone as quickly as it appears.
- Writer
