Page 14 of Bringing Home the Biker

Axel

Star and I were sitting on the couch, her shoulder pressed lightly against mine. Her sister Rain was on her other side and lounged back like she owned the place. It was cozy, the kind of family gathering that felt both chaotic and warm. Ben and Woods were on the floor by the Christmas tree, pushing toy trucks back and forth across the hardwood. Carmen and Jim were in the kitchen getting dinner ready.

“How many tattoos do you have?” Woods’ voice broke through the casual hum of the room.

I glanced down at him. His wide eyes were fixed on me, and his curiosity practically radiated off him.

Star stiffened beside me, and her fingers paused mid-fidget on the hem of her sweater.

“Uh, I’ve lost count, buddy,” I replied and scratched the back of my neck with a grin. The truth wasn’t too far off—I’d stopped keeping track somewhere around tattoo number twenty.

Woods tilted his head to the side like he was really mulling this over. “Do you think I could count them for you?”

Rain let out a laugh, muffled but definitely amused, while Ben chuckled openly.

I laughed, too, and shook my head. “I’d have to take my clothes off for that, and I’m pretty sure your grandma would kick me out.”

Woods, undeterred, looked up at Star with a look of pure wonder. “Does Aunt Star know how many tattoos you have?”

Rain leaned forward, and her face lit up with the kind of mischief that spelled trouble. “Yeah, Star. Maybe you do know how many Axel has.” Her tone was all tease, but her eyebrows raised just enough to make Star squirm.

Star’s discomfort was palpable. She shifted in her seat, and her cheeks blushed pink. “I haven’t counted,” she said, her voice tight, like she hoped that answer would end the conversation.

“Let’s just go with forty,” I offered quickly. If Woods kept up the interrogation, I’d have to lock myself in the bathroom and count them one by one.

“Here we go!” Carmen’s voice carried from the kitchen and cut through the tension like a much-needed reprieve. She stepped into the living room with a large wooden tray in her hands that was loaded with an assortment of snacks. Jim followed close behind with two pitchers.

“Eggnog,” Jim declared, holding up one pitcher. Then he lifted the other with a grin. “And Rudolph’s Tipsy Punch.”

“I want punch!” Woods exclaimed, his toy truck forgotten as he scrambled to his knees.

Ben reached over and ruffled Woods’ hair, his voice playful. “That isadultpunch, buddy. Not for you.”

Jim chuckled as he set the pitchers on the coffee table in front of us. “Don’t worry, Woods. I’ve got something special for you in the kitchen. I’ll grab it and the plates.”

Carmen placed the tray on the table with a flourish. “Charcuterie with a twist,” she announced proudly.

Rain leaned forward, and her curiosity was piqued. “What’s the twist, Mom?”

Carmen grinned as she started pointing out the various items. “Just some things you don’t normally see. Deviled eggs, soft pretzels with nacho cheese, mini tacos with guacamole, and…” She paused dramatically, her finger hovering over a small pile. “Chocolate-covered potato chips.”

“Chocolate chips?” Woods asked, eyes wide. “On a taco?”

“No, no,” Carmen laughed. “Potato chipscovered in chocolate. Try one.”

Rain was the first to snatch one of the chocolate-covered potato chips from the tray. She bit into it with a loud crunch, and everyone paused to watch her reaction. Her eyes went wide in exaggerated surprise.

“Okay, weirdly good,” she said, then grabbed another one without hesitation.

“I want one, Mom!” Woods shouted and climbed onto his knees.

He and Rain descended on the charcuterie board like they hadn’t eaten all day, with Ben joining them. Carmen just shook her head and muttered something about savages under her breath as she scooted the tray closer to keep it from tipping over.

I turned to Star and dropped my voice low enough that only she could hear. “You good?”

She nodded stiffly and didn’t meet my gaze. “Great.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Honey, you look terrified.”

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