Page 13 of Goose

IGROAN AS I ROLL OVERand look at the clock. It’s almost ten-thirty in the morning and I’m still in bed.

Instead of going home last night, I crashed at Striker’s old apartment above the clubhouse and drank myself into a stupor. I just wanted to drown all my memories of Bambi.

She’s so fucking frustrating. Why did she have to hurt me all those years ago? I could live my best fucking life, but I put on a fake face every morning just to get through the day.

She should have just left so my heart would have healed. But the thought of her leaving makes me ache. Nothing can stop my icy, bitter heart from having those small warming feelings for Bambi.

I scrub my hand over my face as I try to find any urge to get out of bed. I need to fucking man up and get over my feelings for Bambi. I’m the fucking enforcer of this club. I don’t take any shit.

Looking around the bedroom, I can tell Striker still hasn’t given up this place. He uses it as a getaway for him and my sister, who he married and knocked up.

They have twin boys who I love with all my heart. Colton and Knox are little terrors, and I fucking love it. They also have the most precious little girl in the entire world. Scarlett is my little pink princess. She’s my shadow when she isn’t following her daddy.

I roll back over and close my eyes. There’s nothing to do today, so fuck it. Prospects are at the ranch with Striker and Maverick taking care of everything.

Maverick is my twin brother, who also lost his balls in the trap of marriage. Willow, my sister-in-law, is cool though. Despite our rocky start, I’ve gotten to know her better. She’s a badass mama who is the most amazing artist I’ve ever seen. Mav locked her down quickly with a ring and the Crawford twin gene.

Willow lucked out by having a boy and a girl, so she only has to deal with one crazy Crawford boy. Bodhi is a spitting image of my brother, handsome as fuck. He has the attitude too. Ophelia is a little beauty, just like her mama.

I drift off to sleep for another hour before I hear the click of the front door. Knowing nobody can get in the clubhouse compound easily, I pull the blankets over my head, not ready to deal with any of my brothers.

Little giggles sound from the living room, and I smile. Even though I’m in a shitty mood, my nieces and nephews can always put a smile on my face.

The giggles stop right at the bedroom door, and I brace myself for the attack. I count down in my head.

Three. Two. One.

Colton and Knox scream as they jump on top of me. They throw little elbows, jump up and down, then come the little fists of fury.

I laugh as Bodhi and Ophelia try to tickle me from the floor. They shove their tiny fingers into my ribs and giggle.

My savior, my sweet princess Scarlett, comes waddling up next. “No! No! Goo good.”

I smile as she tries to rip her brother’s and cousins off of me. Tiny but mighty, her brothers tumble off the bed in a frenzy of tiny arms and legs. Instead of attacking me, they turn to throwing their fists at each other.

Lifting Scarlett up, I tuck her under my arm and cuddle her right into my chest. “Thanks for saving me, princess”

She giggles and smacks a loud kiss on my cheek. “Lub you, goo.”

Maverick scoops his little ones up as Striker laughs and watches his boys scrap on the floor. I shake my head and whistle. Both boys sit straight up and look at me.

“Lilah is gonna kill you if you let them go on, Striker. What are all you assholes doing in my bedroom, anyway?”

Colton giggles. “Mama gonna spank your bum for sayin’ a bad word.”

I laugh and slowly sit up, Scarlett still wrapped around me. “Are you gonna tell Mama?”

Knox shakes his head and elbows Colton. “Why don’t you boys go grab some donuts for you and your cousins. They’re on the kitchen table.”

Both boys smile and run as fast as they can into the next room. Because the bedroom walls are all glass, we can see them tumble over each other trying to get to the donuts first. Maverick puts his little ones down and they slowly walk over to their cousins.

I kiss Scarlett on the head and sit her down. She smiles at all three of us men and waddles her way into the kitchen. Her brothers stop everything they’re doing to help their baby sister up in a chair. She’s a little club princess already, and I love it.

Groaning, I get up out of bed and throw a pair of sweatpants on. “What do you fuckers want?”

Maverick laughs as we walk toward the kitchen. “Just wanted to know what happened last night at Studio Forty-Eight. Heard some rumors.”

“Fuck off, Mav. Nothing happened. Same old fight with Bambi. She drives me up a fucking wall when I would rather do some other things up against a wall with her.”

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