Page 53 of Tusk's Fury

Finally, Roan gets up and walks around the table to gaze down at the baby. “I’m Roan. What’s our sister’s name?”

“Victoria,” Brittany replies.

Roan looks like he wants to reach out and touch her, but he’s suddenly shy.

Jack’s mouth twitches into a smile, but all he says is, “That’s fancy.”

She grins. “I named her after my grandmother. Would you like to hold her?”

“It depends. Is she gonna pee or poo on me?” Jack says.

“Maybe, but she’s wearing a diaper. That means you’ll be safe.”

He drops down on the bench, and Brittany lays our precious daughter in his arms for the first time. The delight on Jack’s face is contagious. Soon, all my boys crowd around to get a look. They’re all smiles.

When Robbin says, “Girls smell pretty,” Brittany laughs. “I think that’s the baby lotion I use to keep her skin soft.”

Jack glances at me before announcing, “She’s small, like a doll.”

I tell him sternly, “Well, she ain’t no doll. She’s a tiny human being and your only sister.”

A hush falls over the boys as they gaze at her. Finally, Robbin whispers what we’re all thinking.

“She’s pretty, like her mama.”

I can see Brittany’s heart melting for my boys, and it’s such a relief that we’re all getting along so well.

When Robbin reaches out to gently touch the baby’s arm, the others lean in, whispering. He looks up at me with an expression of wonder. “She’s small, quiet, and light.”

I finally get what they’re saying. “Yeah, she’s small and delicate, but she’s strong on the inside where it counts. You were all small once, but you grew up strong, and so will she.”

They all nod, feeling more secure now that they know she’s not going to deflate like a balloon when no one’s looking.

Robbin is silent for a long time before he asks, “She’s really ours?”

Brittany explains it in a way I never could. “Yes, Victoria will always be your sister. But all of you will also be hers because you’re her brothers. That’s how family works. We all belong to each other.”

I ask, “Do you all want to run around the park or stay here and visit with your sister?”

Robbin speaks up for everyone. “We’re stayin’. Always stayin’.”

As we sit together and talk, the sun rises high in the sky. For once, my boys aren’t jumping all over the place, being a handful. Right now, they’re calmer and more introspective. They truly seem to understand what a gift this new baby is. I know it’s just the newness of the situation, and it won’t last forever, but I’ll take what I can get when it comes to my boys.

Seeing them like this, and their easy understanding of this new situation makes me think about the baby Gina’s carrying. My boys haven’t mentioned anything about their soon-to-be brother or sister. Something about that strikes me as weird, but my ex is never gonna be mom of the year. I decide not to ask them anything, because it’s only gonna confuse matters today and spoil the good mood.

At some point, it hits me—this feels more like family than anything I’ve ever known. And I’m not about to give it up without a fight, no matter what Gina tries to fuck things up.

Watching my boys warm up to Brittany makes me believe that if my club and I can manage to protect her, she’ll not only be the missing piece of my heart but the guiding light that brings my family together.

At one time, I had wished that of my ex, but all she ever cared about was chasing after her sister’s husband. Now, Clara is with Tex, and I’m with Brittany. In my humble opinion, this is the best thing for everyone. Even now, my ex doesn’t really want me back. She just wants a placeholder—someone to pay her bills until something better comes along. I’m tired of being a placeholder. Fuck that shit. I’m ready to be loved back and respected for what I bring to the table.

Only when our stomachs start rumbling do we load up and go looking for a restaurant.

***

We end up at our favorite diner on the outskirts of town. The boys all pile out of the car, and Jack runs around the SUV to open Brittany’s door. He’s never been so considerate before. I don’t know what he’s doing, but he even takes her hand and leads her back around to the driver’s side, where I’m removing Vic from her car seat. Roan grabs both diaper bags, and the little ones pout because they weren’t quick enough to help. When we near the restaurant, Robbin bolts ahead and opens the door for all of us, smiling up at Brittany when she walks by. Being the sweet person she is, Brittany can’t resist stroking his little cheek. He marches behind us with a grin on his face, and I’ve got to admit that I’ve never been prouder of my boys than I am right now.

Now, I’m not stupid. I know this behavior will wear off over time, but I’m gonna enjoy it while I can. My boys love this place because the inside has about twenty neon signs, a jukebox, and a waitress that fawns over them. The scent of burgers and fries hangs heavy in the air, spiking my hunger.

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