Page 4 of Baby Me

What would the kids think if they knew the full history? Would they welcome June, so long as she didn’t make disparaging remarks about their mother? Would June be okay around them, or would it hurt her too much to see the proof of the life I led without her? She had a loveless marriage. Mine had been something to cherish, and one I missed with all my heart. I couldn’t help but feel like she would be resentful of the life I’d led.

Chapter 2

Tripp - three months later

I sat at the bar in the clubhouse and stared down at the phone in my hand.

June: Sorry, not feeling well. I need to cancel our plans for the night.

Well shit. There went the rest of my night. I set my water on the bar and started typing back.

Tripp: Anything I can do? Bring you soup? Shit, I guess that would be awkward since you still live with Barry, huh?

I sent the message even as I shook my head about how sick it made me to do so. Fuck. How did I wind up mixed up with a woman who was married? I swore to myself after the way Kim and I got together that I would never start another relationship with anyone in such a messy way.

The only thing that helped in this situation was that June was obviously in an arranged marriage and we had an agreement that we were just friends for now until she could wrestle the bank out of her dad’s grasp when he retired. Despite June’s many attempts and hints, I wouldn’t be intimate with her until she was divorced, and she knew that. Until then, our plan was to be friends, get to know one another again – as adults.

June: Sorry. I’ll make it up to you when I’m feeling better.

Tripp: Ok, darlin’. Take care of yourself. If you need anything just call.

“Hey man, you have mystery plans tonight?” I glanced up to see Breakneck standing there.

“Nah, plans just canceled.”

“You gonna tell me about these plans you keep having? Seems to be serious or headed that way and you know we have to vet anyone brought in, especially as an old lady.”

“It ain’t there, brother. If it gets there, I’ll let you know. Until then, I’d appreciate you keeping quiet. It’s not something I want in the open.”

“Fair enough. Wanna ride?”

“You mean your night doesn’t consist of wearing out all the club girls again?” I teased.

“Nah, not feeling it tonight. I need the ride instead, been feeling cagey.”

“Let’s go.” I agreed and jumped up to join my club brother.

“Feel up to heading into Augusta tonight?”

“Yeah, man, that sounds like just the thing. It’s been a while since I rode anywhere beyond town limits.”

Breakneck nodded, because of course he already knew that shit.

“Kip worried about me?” I finally asked because this impromptu ride seemed a little too convenient.

Breakneck grinned at me. “Maybe, but I honestly needed the ride and time away too.”

“You have a thing for Scout?” I asked, wondering if my son hijacking one of the club girls for himself was hitting our boys a little harder than I originally thought it would.

“She’s a fun piece, but nah. That’s all your boy. If he’s smart, he’ll lock her down before someone doesn’t give her a choice in having to fuck them.”

“If someone doesn’t give her a choice, they’re going to answer to me.”

“You know what I mean. She can’t exactly turn a brother down if Kip doesn’t man up and claim her. We have our brothers coming in from Kentucky next week. You gonna tell them she’s off limits?”

“Nope,” I shook my head. “He has to claim her, or she has to walk away from the club. Those are the only two reasons she won’t be an available body at the party because that’s part of her contract with us.”

“Fair warning, brother.” He huffed out a half-laugh. “I don’t see that shit ending well for them.”

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