Page 50 of Maverick

All of a sudden, our front doors flew open. We all jumped and went to grab our guns when we realized it was a woman. She stepped out of the shadows and I could finally make out who it was; Ellie Jo.

She came stomping over to Goose and put her hand on his thigh. “Oh, Goose! I’ve been looking for you everywhere. I need some help unloading my car. Can you help me?” She batted her eyes at him and twisted a small piece of hair between her fingers.

Goose nodded at one of the Prospects, “Yo, Zane! Help Ellie Jo unload her car.”

He started to walk toward Ellie Jo when she stepped right in front of Goose. “I really wantedyouto help me.”

At that moment, Bambi came walking down the stairs. “Hey, girl!” She sashayed over to the bar and hopped on top.

Ellie Jo quickly pulled her hand from Goose’s thigh and turned to smile at Bambi then turned back to Goose, “So are you going to help me?”

Goose placed his hand on Bambi’s hip and pulled her onto his lap. “Told you, Zane is gonna help. I have things to do around the Clubhouse.”

Ellie Jo took a deep breath and closed her hand into a fist. “Listen up, Sawyer. I’m done playing games with you. You need to pick; me or Bambi. I’m done being pulled around.”

Goose laughed and slid his hand up Bambi’s thigh, “Listen up, Eleanor Jolene. Don’t you dare disrespect me in MY Clubhouse! We never had anything going on. It was fun to flirt, but I’m over it.” His smile turned into a scowl and he got into Ellie Jo’s face. “Better watch it, little girl. Just because you’re friends with my sister doesn’t mean you get a free fucking pass. You’re not my old lady and never will be. Now get gone.” He stood up and grabbed Bambi’s hand. “Let’s go, Bambi. Let your friend think about her actions for a while.”

They both walked up the stairs toward Goose’s room. I turned to look at Striker and we both took our last sips of beer. I looked at Ellie Jo, “Well then. Look, whatever issues you have with Goose need to be put aside. Don’t drag them into this Clubhouse and don’t you ever disrespect a Brother again. You can stay in the room down the hall, but don’t go causing any drama.”

Striker and I got up and headed to the stairs that lead to his old apartment. Willow, Lilah, the boys, and Mama were upstairs and I couldn’t wait to see them all.

We quietly opened the door to find everybody in the kitchen, laughing and cooking. Striker snuck up on Colton and Knox then picked them up. They screamed and laughed then hugged him tightly. Lilah walked over and softly kissed him on the lips. I looked over to see Willow watching them with a sad smile on her face.

I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist, leaning down to kiss her on the neck.

“Mmmm. Hey there, Mav.”

“Hey there, beautiful. Whatcha cookin’?”

She laughed and pulled away to walk over to the stove. Willow grabbed a wooden spoon to stir with. “Baked chicken, rice, steamed veggies, and fresh-made biscuits.”

Striker came over and hugged Willow, “Sounds delicious. Thank you guys for doing this. Mav and I will set the table.”

We grabbed plates and silverware and walked over to his large dining table. He looked at me while setting the plates down. “So how are you and Willow?”

I smiled and looked over at her helping out with the boys, Orion was quietly resting with one eye open, focusing on Willow and the boys.

“We’re good, Brother.”

“Good. I’m glad, Mav. About time that you got a good woman.”

Mama came over with a giant platter of chicken. Lilah followed behind with a bowl of veggies and a bowl of rice. Willow came over with Colton and Knox, holding two bowls of fresh rolls.

We all took our places and dug in. The food was absolutely amazing. The boys ate everything on their plates and you could see them starting to drift off to sleep already.

Striker grabbed both boys and brought them to their little sleeping bags on the floor next to Orion. He jumped off the couch and snuggled in between the both of them.

Willow got up and walked over to the kitchen. She came back with a plate of some kind of dessert.

“Whatcha got there, babe?”

She smiled as she placed the plate on the table, “My famous blueberry empanadas! Try one!”

Willow, Lilah, and my Mama all looked at each other with suspicious smiles. Striker and I grabbed one each then took a huge bit. The pastry was so good! I finished it up in one bite and turned to Willow. “Babe. These are so fucking good!”

Mama came up behind me and whacked me on the back of the head. “Language, Silas.”

Striker finished chewing and looked at Willow, “This will totally be worth it. Willow, these were the best fucking best dessert empanadas I have ever had!”

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