Page 102 of Riding the Edge

“I’m not pregnant,” Lauren replies.

“Phew,” Riggs mutters under his breath.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she fires back, glaring at him.

“It means I can barely catch a blowjob these days. If you were, in fact, pregnant, it definitely wouldn’t be mine and we really would be on the Maury show.”

Well, that explains why he’s so bitter.

The Wolf is getting more action than the Tiger.

“What’s a blowjob?” Eric asks.

“Blowjob! Blowjob!” Robert chants.

“I didn’t say blowjob,” Riggs backtracks. “I said blow pop. Mommy hides all the suckers from Daddy.”

“Forget I asked,” Maria says, dropping her head into her hands. “I completely understand now.”

“We’re postponing the wedding because you’ll still be undergoing treatment,” Lauren clarifies.

Instantly my eyes go to Maria and I watch as she lifts her head and meets her daughter's gaze. No one says a word, not even the kids and a moment later Maria turns her attention to her plate.

“Once the radiation is finished and the reconstruction surgery is done we’ll pick another date. I just want you to be well when it happens.”

“I’m fine, Lauren.”

“Mom, nothing happened yet. You don’t know how you’re going to react to the radiation and—”

“There is no harm in waiting,” I interrupt. Reaching under the table, my hand finds Maria’s knee. “It gives you two more time to plan and find the dress.”

“Wolf is right,” Lauren says with a forced smile. “You know how picky I can be, mom.”

“October is the perfect month to get married,” Maria continues to protest.

“It’s also a great time of year for a ride,” Riggs says, turning to Lauren. “Tell her.”

“Tell me what?”

“Instead of the wedding date going to waste, we decided to make it count for something. Seeing as October is breast cancer awareness month, Riggs and some of the brothers have organized a run.”

Tearing my eyes from Maria, I look to Riggs and he gives me a nod.

“Linc and I have contacted a few of the other charters and we’re going do a ride out of the bar. It’s a ten dollar donation for bikes to enter and Deuce has a guy making shirts and shit. All the money collected will be donated to the Susan G. Koman foundation.”

Feeling a knot of emotion in my throat, I slice my eyes to Maria. Tears fall from the corners of her eyes as she looks between Lauren and Riggs.

“You’re upset,” Lauren declares. “I’m sorry, mom, I didn’t—”

“Sweetheart, I think that is beautiful,” Maria interjects. “I’m very proud of you,” she adds, glancing at Riggs. “Of the both of you.”

“I’m your favorite non-son-in-law, admit it.”

“You’re my only non-son-in-law.”

“Get this, Anthony even said he’ll ride. Riggs is going to teach him,” Lauren says. Trying to picture Bianci riding two wheels, my lips quirk. “Will you ride, Wolf?” she asks, pulling me away from my imagination.

“Of course,” I say hoarsely. “With any luck, I’ll have your mother on the back of my bike too.”

---