Page 93 of Motorycle Daddies

“Of course we do,” Dart says. “I can’t wait to get it on my jacket.” He grins, and I can’t help the smile at how excited he is to be a fully patched-in member of the club. We had just a small ceremony for him, with the promise of a larger party for him once we’re all back at the clubhouse and settled down. He’s more than earned it.

“I can’t wait to hear what you’re all thinking when it comes to names,” she says. “Any ideas?”

“Trap Jr.,” I say, giving her a wink.

Meredith laughs. “I think those are fighting words. I don’t think you get to lay claim like that.”

“Yeah, well, until someone comes up with something better, I’m throwing my hat in the ring.”

“Me too,” Grizzly says. “I think Grizzly Jr. has a certain ring to it.”

“I regret this conversation,” Meredith says, but clearly enjoying the teasing. “I take it back!”

Dart clears his throat. “That’s fine, but before you do. I nominate Dart Jr. for consideration.”

It looks like Meredith’s entire face is smiling as she composes herself from her laughter. “I’ll consider the nominations and get back to you with my thoughts on the matter.”

“But hey,” Grizzly says. “On a more serious note, I don’t want you to think we forgot about you, sweetheart. Since we have you to ourselves, we thought of you too.”

“No, that’s not allowed. You’re stealing my thunder here. No gifts.”

Grizzly gets up from his chair and disappears out into the hallway for a few moments, digging around inside of a closet before reappearing with a small pile of gifts himself.

“You’re crazy if you think we’d accept something from you without giving you something in return,” I say.

“So much for selflessness,” Meredith says, shaking her head and cupping her head in her hands.

“It’s just a little something,” Dart says. “Nothing to be worried about.”

Meredith lifts her head back up and reluctantly takes the gifts in her hands. She whispers a soft thank you to Grizzly before lifting the first present and checking the tag in the light.

“Alright, this first one is from Dart.”

She smiles as she rips into the gift and Dart looks at her with hopeful anticipation. I’m not sure what everyone got for her, only that we agreed to each get something for her and give them to her all together.

“Aww,” Meredith says. She takes the piece of paper out of the long box and holds up a gift certificate for a full day at the spa. “This package has everything, Dart. A facial, a massage, foot rubs, and aromatherapy.”

Dart glances at Grizzly and myself as if seeking validation before turning his attention to Meredith.

“Sometimes the way you act you wouldn’t know that you’ve been through what you have lately. You deserve something that will make you feel special and make you feel like yourself again.”

“It’s true,” I add. “You should be pampered. Not just for your sake, but the baby’s sake.”

Meredith gives a coy smile and places the gift certificate back into the box, placing it to the side.

“Thank you so much,” she says. “I feel like I’m a wreck these days. I feel bad for all of you.”

I’m feeling self-conscious about my gift as she lifts mine from the pile. As usual, I feel like I’m being shown up already by one of the guys. When I was thinking of something to give Meredith, I didn’t really think of it in terms of money, but something more sentimental. I’m regretting the choice, but I do my best to wear a brave face as she unwraps the gift in front of everyone.

“Oh, Trap…” she says, and my shoulders tense as I anticipate her disappointment. There’s no way she could appreciate what I got her compared to what Dart presented to her. I look down at the floor, having a hard time looking at her for fear of what I might see. “How cute are you?”

I look up at her, and she’s looking at the tattoo I’ve given her, though it is temporary considering the pregnancy, of Cupid shooting his bow. When I picked it out, I wanted to let her know how much my feelings had grown, and how she captured my heart in a way that’s out of my control.

“You going to show us?” Grizzly asks, taking another sip from his hot chocolate.

“It’s Cupid,” she says. “And I think we should put this on right now.”

“Now?” I ask.

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