Page 3 of Hyde

That was the day I learned that I’d never be much use to the club in that capacity.

*

Three years later

“Again, Joey! Again!”

“You’ll puke all over me if I do that again.” I laugh down at Leslee and bop her nose with my finger, trying to ignore her pout.

At four years old, I can barely resist her requests as it is—let alone when she sticks out her bottom lip.

“None of that, sassy pants,” Gunner calls out to his daughter as he crosses to us.

“Daddy!” Leslee’s face lights up and all thoughts of having me swing her around disappear as she skips to her father.

Gunner gathers her up in one of his arms and she immediately scales up it, climbing to sit up on his shoulders as he looks over at me. “Hyde, you can let me know if she’s bothering you.”

“I’m not, Daddy,” Leslee announces, resting her chin on top of his head and smiling brightly at me.

“Now, why is it you’re never in the playlot with your friends?” Gunner tilts his head so he can look at her face while pointing toward the massive playground that was built for all my brothers’ children.

“Because Joey needed to be saved!” She leans down and loudly whispers this in his ear.

“Is that right?” Gunner laughs and looks at me in question. I’m as confused as anyone at her statement, but she doesn’t keep us waiting.

“Uh, huh. I heard Holly telling Cricket she was going to get Hyde to playhide the salamiwith her today and that sounded dis-gust-ing!” Leslee bursts that gem out, with total authority behind her words and I’m not sure who turns redder, her father or me. “Don’t laugh, Joey! Isn’t salami yucky? I hate it!”

“I don’t like salami either, Leslee,” I tell her, holding my hands up so she won’t get upset with me.

Leslee starts bouncing since Gunner’s body is shaking with laughter, and I try to keep an innocent look on my face for the precocious tyrant who’s staring down at me. She’s way too sharp for her age though and starts to look suspicious.

“Why is it, whenever I send you to look for Leslee, I have to come looking for you both?” Riley’s voice is full of humor as she approaches us, and we all turn to see her waddling our way.

“You’re right, next time I’ll save myself the effort and text Hyde to bring her to us.” Gunner laughs, reaching one hand up to tickle his daughter even as he lowers his head to kiss his wife. “You okay, Sweetheart? I was just headed back to you.”

“How are you feeling?” I ask Riley, not entirely sure what you’re supposed to say to pregnant women.

“Like I swallowed a watermelon,” Riley answers, gliding her hand down her rounded belly. “Hyde, I hope Leslee wasn’t bothering you?”

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Leslee growls, giving us a frown that rivals her father’s. “Joey, tell them you like me best of all.”

“There’s no one I’d rather throw in the air and catch a couple dozen times,” I answer, trying to keep the smile from my face. “I gotta take off though.”

Tonight, Wrench and I planned on running an update to add a VPN into the systems for all the MC’s side businesses. I’ve never done anything of this scale and can’t wait to shadow my mentor.

“We’ll see you next week for dinner,” Riley calls out, waving good-bye.

“Unless you pop!” I yell back over my shoulder, hearing Gunner laugh and Leslee chanting, “Pop. Pop. Pop.”

Chapter 2

Gunner

I got one thing right in my life.

Riley.

Putting aside everything my life had become, to be the man she needed made all the difference.

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