Page 82 of Cash

“It was my fault. I’ll gladly pay for the repairs,” James offers.

“Any damage done to it can be repaired by Trigger. In fact, tell him I’m ordering it, and he’s doing it for free,” Gunner says.

Chubs, Lucy and I all laugh while Cash and James look at us quizzically.

When James starts to argue, Gunner holds up a hand and assures him it’s fine and that Trigger owes him.

The main door opens again and Axel and Tessie enter. They’re bickering about something as they take seats at a nearby table. Axel’s little girl is clinging to her daddy but waves at us with a grin. Axel sits her on the table, facing him, but she keeps looking over her shoulder at Chubs.

“Hubs,” Alex chortles while holding a hand toward him.

Lucy steps off her stool and walks to the table. Reaching for Alex, Axel blocks her with an arm. Lucy tries again, and Axel repeats his maneuver while shooting an ornery look at Lucy.

“Not in the mood, Axel. Hand me that child, so she can sit with her Uncle Chubs, or I’m going to lose my shit on you,” Lucy warns.

“Not really fearing all four foot of you, Lucy,” Axel answers with a smug grin.

“I saw God today, Axel. You should fear me.”

Lucy steps back and pulls out her phone. Hitting a button, she puts the phone to her ear, shoots Axel an evil grin and starts speaking.

“Hi, Trudy. Yeah, he’s doing it again. Okay, thank you.”

Lucy holds her phone out to Axel. He stares at the phone for a moment, gives Lucy a huge pout, then hands his daughter to her. Lucy pockets her phone and walks away smiling. Chubs grins as he takes the precious little girl with blond curls. Alex immediately places a wet kiss on his cheek.

“Axel, what I was—,” Tessie says, attempting to continue their argument when Axel holds his hand up.

“Don’t have the energy to argue with you right now, Tess. Hit me up tomorrow,” he mutters before leaving the table. Walking to a nearby couch, Axel drops down on his back and stares at the ceiling.

“How long will he pout?” James asks quietly.

“Until he gets her back,” Chubs answers with a laugh.

Chapter 16

Cash

Livi and I have been seeing each other for a number of months now, and it couldn’t be going any better. We just fit, and we’re making our lives mesh with no problems. I secretly worry about her at work, but I keep that hidden. James has become a close friend, and I trust that he has her six while on duty.

Life with Liam has gotten easier now that we have a schedule of sorts. He’s smiling more and stays awake longer at a time. I’m getting good at knowing what he wants or needs by the sound of his cry. Livi’s very good with him and has a knack for getting him back to sleep during the night.

Snots seems to love being at my place. I think he likes the backyard, but mostly he likes Liam. He no longer growls at me when I go near Liam, but he does keep an eye on everyone other than me or Livi. He and Terry have become besties. Dad’s gotten attached to him too, so now Snots is seldom home alone when Livi’s working.

Work on the daycare started last week and is going great. James and Livi help every chance they get and both are great workers. Vex and Taja are doing the shopping for the daycare furniture and supplies. Gunner suggested that the club buy the empty lot behind the gym and fence it in as a playground for the kids. The club agreed, and Gunner will be closing on it next week. With everyone from the club helping out, it won’t be long until we have an operational daycare. We’ve even hired the first employee. James has several sisters and the one closest in age to him applied for the job. She has experience working in a daycare and is CPR and First Aid certified. She met with several of us and each agreed she’d be a great choice.

James has worked diligently at learning to ride, and I’m going with him tomorrow to look at a bike he’d like to buy. I feel comfortable with his skills, and he’s excited to own his own bike. I think Axel’s excited for that to happen too so his can be repaired and tucked away. He’s been a good sport about it though, and it helps that James hasn’t dumped it since the first day.

Livi still hasn’t ridden my bike with me. She’s never mentioned it, but I know she’s got to be wondering why I’ve never asked. We had another club ride last weekend and several of the women went on it. I thought about asking Livi but didn’t at the last minute. I know her feelings must have been hurt, but she didn’t complain. Instead, she took the Aunts and James’ mom out for lunch and spent time with them. None of them showed at the clubhouse for the cookout afterward though. When I texted Livi, asking why they weren’t there, she said they were busy doing their own thing. Nothing more was said about it from her or the Aunts. James, who rode with us as a guest, questioned me why Livi wasn’t riding, but I skirted around giving him a complete answer. Surprisingly, neither the Aunts nor Dad bitched me out for it, and yet I still feel guilty for leaving Livi out.

Having Liam in my life, I think I’ve become more cautious about everything. Livi and I have a great relationship so far, but I’m taking my time before thinking about it being a permanent one. There’s a huge part of me that wants it to be just that, but I don’t want to jump in too fast. As for Livi, she never pushes one way or the other. She takes each day as it comes and works hard for it to end on a good note.

Livi, my dad and the Aunts have become very close. She checks in on them often and they love it. The Aunts always insist on hearing stories about Livi’s shifts, and she obliges them with the funny incidents. Terry has continued Snots and his spa days even when he has to hunt Snots down to leave for them. Each time, Snots returns looking more put out and in another outrageous outfit that gives Livi the giggles. Overall, I’ve never had a more solid relationship or had as good a feeling about one, as I do with Livi.

Currently, I’m pretending to be teaching a self-defense class, but I’m really watching Axel and Candy’s anger management class. Looking around the gym I spot most of the club watching it too. Candy’s court-ordered sessions have become the highlight of our week. Someone always videos them for the members who can’t attend, and it annoys the hell out of Axel and Pooh each time. Candy has a lot of anger to work off, and she uses her time wisely.

“Candy! We’ve gone over this a hundred times! You’re supposed to aim for the pads I’m holding up and not my face!” Axel shouts for the dozenth time as he bobs and weaves his head.

“Oopsie. Let’s try again,” Candy responds in an insincere voice.

---