Page 33 of Faking it with the Bad Boy Bikers

“Honestly, it’s really not a good parenting move, Nellie.” Stephanie patted Henry’s arm and smiled up at him.

“No wonder you said bitch.” Henry came down the steps to stand next to me. “Hey.”

I looked down as a blush darkened my cheeks. “Hey.”

“Hello? Who the hell gave that wild child a gun?” Seth marched down the steps to stand toe to toe with me. He hooked his index finger under my chin and lifted my face to his. “It’s hard to stay away when you blush like this, Nell.”

I licked my lips and tried to keep my voice steady. “Reed. Reed gave her the gun. And ammo. But he taught her some self-defense moves so… No, it still doesn’t balance out in the end. He gave my kid a gun and told her all about how he works private security. Now she’s decided she wants to be Reed when she grows up. I’m going to kill him.”

“Mom!” Waylan’s voice was enough to send me stumbling to put space between the guys and my body. “Ms. Vivian said we’re all having dinner tonight at the big table! She made me chicken nuggets!”

I checked her hands for the gun and was glad to see no sign of it. “Sounds good, baby. You’re still on my crap list for tattling on me, though.”

“Sorry, Mommy!” She ran down to hug me tight and then decided she needed to hug Henry and Seth, too. Henry hugged her back but Seth just awkwardly patted her head.

She knocked his hand away from her head and sighed. “You need to hug more, Seth, so you learn how to. You’re no good at it right now.”

He let out a surprised laugh. “Maybe you’re right, kid.”

“My name is Waylan!” She held her arms out. “Practice.”

He whipped his head around to me. “What is she doing?”

I pressed my knuckles to my mouth, fighting a laugh. “I think she’s waiting on a hug.”

“She’s definitely waiting on a hug.” Henry wrapped his arm around my waist and didn’t bother hiding his laugh.

“I’m waiting on a hug, Seth!” Waylan tilted her head and gave him her best puppy dog eyes. “Are you going to hug me?”

He swore and went down to his knees to wrap his arms around her little body. She locked her arms around his neck and squeezed.

“That’s better. Good job. We’ll practice every day so you get better, ’kay?”

When he stood up again Seth’s eyes were suspiciously moist. He cleared his throat and nodded. “Fine.”

Ms. Vivian drew our attention away from Seth as she stepped out on the porch. She glanced over at Stephanie and seemed surprised. “Oh, Steph. What are you doing here, honey?”

I grimaced as I remembered the other woman. She hadn’t forgotten me, judging by the deep scowl on her face she had to try and hide when everyone else looked at her.

“I saw the guys out here working and thought I’d stop in and say hello. I was just telling Henry I helped with the last few elections in town and I could help them when they decide who’s running.”

“Did you help the Sheriff who tried to kill my sister?” The question was out of my mouth before I could stop it.

Stephanie narrowed her eyes on me and crossed her arms. I didn’t miss the way she pushed her breasts up as she did it. “That man had us all fooled. It was a shame.”

“I was telling her we don’t need help. We’re just all going to run and whoever wins, wins.” Henry squeezed my waist before letting go to move towards Ms. Vivian. “Do you need help with anything?”

She was all smiles as she wagged her finger at him. “You keep that charm saved up for Nellie, young man.”

Seth glanced down at me and spoke quietly. “You should’ve done more than piss in her shampoo.”

I gasped and grabbed his hand. “Shh!”

He laughed, the sound getting less and less robotic each time he did it. “Trying to hold my hand? You virgins always do get attached so easily.”

I tried to tug my hand free but he just used it to pull me into his chest. Instead of getting my point across by glaring at him and telling him off, he stole my fire by kissing me. I pulled away faster than I wanted to and looked around for Waylan.

“I made sure no one was watching.” He gripped the back of my neck. “This dinner should be fun. Especially since Stephanie just disappeared inside with Ms. Vivian and is probably getting a dinner invitation right now.”

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