Page 2 of Chubs

“Ava loves Chubs. You hanging with us for a while? I have a new recipe for strudel you can taste test,” Ava says with an impish grin.

I groan miserably because I can’t, and it physically hurts knowing that. Sadly, I shake my head no.

“I’ll save you some. Trudy packed you some snacks for later. Grab them on your way out.”

This perks me up some, and I give Ava my best smile before making my way through the swinging doors that lead to the front of the bakery. Trudy’s busy with customers, but I spot a bakery box with my name on it, so I grab it, wave to Trudy, and head outside to my bike. Swinging my leg over the seat, I open the box, eat a few of the treats before putting the box in a saddlebag. I do this carefully so nothing gets crushed, even though I’d eat them anyway. I have before, and I would again because there’s no sense in wasting food. The thought of wasted food causes a shiver to run up my back. Shaking off the bad thoughts, I start my bike.

Pulling into Cash’s driveway, I shut off my bike and let myself into the house. Hearing voices in the kitchen, I walk in that direction. Cash is wiping off the counter while Livi’s feeding Liam in his highchair. The baby is a toddler now and is absolutely adorable. Chubby with blond hair and big blue eyes, he’s the spitting image of his dad, only in miniature form. Taking a seat next to him, I briefly wonder what his food tastes like.

“Hey, Chubs. How’s it going?” Livi asks with a smile while trying to aim a spoonful of food at Liam’s moving head.

Liam giggles, smears the food on his mouth around his face with his hand before grabbing the spoon and pulling it within reach. He doesn’t eat the food as expected but instead blows on the end of the spoon, causing the food to spray at Livi. Laughing, Livi grabs a napkin and cleans her shirt and Liam’s face.

“Liam’s latest trick with applesauce,” Livi says with a grimace.

Now I’m wondering if his applesauce has cinnamon in it, but I fight that thought and turn to Cash. Watching him disinfect an already spotless counter, I grin. Cash doesn’t realize every single one of us in the club knows about his OCD. We do, but most of us are smart enough not to mention it to the very large, very quiet club enforcer. Pooh and Axel—not so smart. I’ve watched, gleefully I might add, both getting their asses handed to them by Cash for even mentioning it. I like my head attached to my body enough that I keep my mouth shut.

“You working today, Cash?” I ask.

“Going in later. Pooh opened today,” Cash answers before putting his cleaning tote under the sink. “Why? What’s up?”

“Wanted to talk with Livi,” I answer quietly and look away when Cash swings his head in my direction.

“Talk,” he orders.

“Have the Feds approached you lately?” I ask Livi, knowing there’s no way Cash is going to let me speak with her privately.

“Not lately. Not since the last time I told you about,” she answers softly.

“I don’t want you to take any heat from them over me. They come at you, send them my way. I’ll deal with them, but it’s not right they’re pressuring you and James,” I say with a tinge of anger in my voice.

“Be easier if you just told us what the problem is, Chubs. We’d both help, as would the club,” Cash says as he takes a seat across the table from me.

Standing, I pour a cup of coffee and raid the fridge until I find some string cheese. Sitting back down, I look at Cash and answer, “Can’t do that, brother. My problem and I’ll deal with it, but I’m not putting you, Livi, or the club at risk for me.”

“Pissing me off, Chubs. Club would have your back, no matter what,” Cash bites out.

“Know that. That’s exactly why I’ll deal with this on my own,” I state as I stand to leave, wanting to get away from Cash before I give in to the urge to share too much.

“What about Lucy, Chubs? Is it fair to keep her in the dark?” Livi asks, still using a soft voice.

“No, it’s not. Nothing about this is fair, but that’s life,” I answer as I give Liam, then Livi a kiss on the cheek and walk out.

As I’m closing the door behind me, I hear Cash mutter a few choice words. I grin because I know he’s only cussing me out because he cares.

I ride to the garage and swap my bike for the wrecker. Leaving there, I head to the clubhouse, and when I enter, I find Craig waiting for me. Scattered around the main room are several of the pets, with Mac singing from the top of the bar. I laugh when I realize he’s singing the John Jones song “I’m Only Human After All,” and without missing a beat, he wing-waves at me. Giving him a thumbs up, I turn to Craig.

“You babysitting everyone today?”

“No, Gunner’s in his office. He’s on babysitting duty. He even said he’d watch Bart while we do my learning things,” Craig answers.

“Where’re the twins?”

“At Axel’s. He’s got all three of the girls today because Bailey’s doing books at the garage. They’re doing a spa day. Whatever that is,” Craig says with a mild look of confusion.

“What that is, is a good video opportunity for me and you. You in?” I ask with a grin.

“Hell, yeah!”

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