Page 38 of Chubs

Still, I’m not thrilled when he picks me up and then spins us before setting me back down and grasping one hand to send me out for another twirl. When he backs a few steps away, Tammy, Tessie, Taja, Livi, James, and a drunken Horse join him dancing the sequence of moves prior to the lift. When Axel nods his head at me, I think to myself, fuck it. I take two running steps and am lifted high in the air to raucous applause. When Axel finally sets me back on my feet, I grin up at him.

“Thank you, Axel. That was fun.”

“I like you best when you smile, Little Lucy. I just needed to see one today,” Axel says sincerely. “Love you.”

“Love you too,” I say before making my way toward my table.

“How come Axel gets a dance, but I don’t?” Craig asks.

“He made me, but I’ll dance with you because I want to,” I answer.

“Come on, Lisa. I can handle two girls at once,” Craig says before grasping both our hands and leading us to the dance floor. “Who knows? Maybe someday I’ll marry the twins, and I’ll already have it all figured out.”

After Craig came a succession of bikers, their women, and kids, all making me feel a part of this family and special day. No one left Lisa out of the fun either, and we both smiled at our parents enjoying themselves as well.

“Your kid is a pork chop,” I grumble to Ava while shifting Chasin’s body to my other arm.

“I know he is. I can’t believe how fast he’s growing,” she says while glancing in our direction. “He and Liam will be the only defensive lineman needed for their high school football team.”

“Can I hold him?” Candy asks from beside me.

“Yes, please, before my arm falls off,” I answer while transferring his chubby body to Candy.

Candy and I are hanging out in Ava’s catering kitchen while she tests out new appetizer recipes. Candy has become a close friend of mine and Lisa’s, and we spend a lot of time together. Ava is thrilled to have her as a tenant and sings her praises often.

We’ve come to find out that Candy isn’t one to sit still for long. She likes to keep busy, so it’s not uncommon to find her in the bakery kitchen washing dishes or clearing tables. She refuses to take pay for helping out, and it’s quite amusing to watch her and Ava battle over that topic.

Candy and I meet at the gym a few times a week and work out together now. My mom and Lisa join us for some of the classes, and the guys tailor them to suit our individual needs. Lisa and I are constantly amazed at how quickly our mother has gained skills and how hard she works at them. The Governor of Colorado’s wife, Miriam Douglas, even insists the guys aren’t pushing us hard enough. I think a huge reason she likes coming is because of Candy and Axel’s ongoing battle of wits. I’ve even caught her betting on the outcome a few times with Pooh.

“How do you like working at the animal rescue?” Ava asks Candy.

“Love it. I’m learning a lot about animals too. Pigeon and Ivy asked if I’d work for them at the ranch part-time, and I’m thinking about it. It would only be during their busy times, but a day here or there would be nice,” Candy answers while smiling down at Chasin.

The door to the kitchen opens and in walks Trudy and Bella. Bella moves to check out what Ava’s making, and Trudy zeros in on Candy and Chasin. Trudy stares hard at Candy until Candy sighs and hands over the baby. Axel is right—Trudy’s a baby hound.

It’s not long and the door opens again with Petey, Gunner, Rex, and Horse entering. The men greet everyone as they head directly for the trays of appetizers. Horse moans after each bite until Rex smacks the back of his head.

“Do you have a favorite, Horse?” Ava asks as she pulls another baking sheet from the oven.

“Aren’t they all the same?” he questions before popping another into his mouth.

“Jesus, Horse. There’s a whole lot of stupid inside of you,” Rex mumbles around a bite. “Ava’s not cooking these because you’re too cheap to buy dinner for yourself. She wanted opinions on which are the best ones.”

“I like them all, Ava,” Horse replies while reaching for more.

“Thank you, Horse, but please excuse me if I don’t take your opinion seriously. You didn’t even notice the difference between stuffed mini peppers and candied bacon-wrapped shrimp,” Ava declares with a laugh.

“Shrimp? There was shrimp in that?” Horse questions in a higher voice than I’ve ever heard out of him before.

“Yes, these ones have… oh shit, Horse! You’re allergic to shellfish!” Ava shouts in alarm.

“Oh fuck! I’m going to die!” Horse wails before running to the garbage can.

“Anyone have an EpiPen? I volunteer to jab that sucker into him. You know, to save his life and all that jazz,” Rex says dismissively while looking over the latest tray of food placed on the counter.

I pull a couple of antihistamine tablets from my purse and hold them out to Petey. Petey, in turn, holds them out to Horse, but he’s busy trying to make himself vomit, and his gagging sounds are making Gunner turn an interesting shade of green.

“Take these, you simple fuck,” Petey insists, but Horse ignores him.

---