Page 30 of The Secrets We Keep

Asher shoots off in the direction of the kitchen, the door slamming behind him, and I stand from the bed with a smile on my face. “I love that kid,” I tell Sophie as I stretch and watch her rise from the bed.

She smiles. “When he’s excited, there’s no stopping him. Just like someone else I know.”

My heart warms at her suggestion. I love that Asher is like me, even though he hasn’t been around me for most of his life. The fact that my characteristics still won out is astonishing to me.

We quickly get ready for the day and find Asher in the kitchen with multiple boxes of cereal out and juice and milk out of the fridge. I guide Sophie to one of the stools and leave a seat between us for Ash. He already has a bowl of cereal sitting in front of his spot.

We eat and listen to Asher talk about how excited he is for everyone in his class to meet his family and how much he loves school. He’s so much like Sophie in that respect. I always hated the first day of schoolbecause it meant that summer was over, and I wanted summer to last forever. I guess I know now why Sophie was so eager to get back to school, though. It kept her farther away from John.

After breakfast, Sophie tells Asher to go brush his teeth and then we head down to the common area. We find Cane and Paisley there. Asher runs over to them and gives her a big hug. Cane’s brow furrows as he takes them in, like he doesn’t like what he sees.

I elbow his side as I come up next to him. “They’re six, brother. I don’t think you have to worry about that for at least another ten years.”

He turns his scowl on me. “Why would you even say that?”

I smile and toss an arm around his shoulder. “I could see your protective father instincts kicking in.”

Cane has been the only parent to Paisley for her entire life. Her mother left the day that she delivered her. It’s left a permanent scar on Cane’s life. It affects every relationship. It affects how he raises Paisley and how fiercely protective he is of her.

“I don’t even want to think of her grown up, sending her off to first grade was hard enough,” he groans as he swipes a hand down his face.

I chuckle because it’s funny to see such a big, burly guy so emotional over sending his daughter to school. Not that I was much better. “Want to walk with us?”

He nods and we walk over to join Sophie and thekids. I take Sophie’s hand and lead them out of the clubhouse. Normally, I’d tell the kids that there’s no way we were walking to the school from here. We’re a little way out of town so it just isn’t feasible most days. Today, though, we leave early for the mile and a half walk to the school. We’re starting a new tradition; as a family.

The walk takes us about twenty-five minutes with the kids, so we’re still a little early for school. We sign in at the front office and walk them down the hallway to their classroom. The kids are nearly jumping off the walls with excitement at this point.

We stop outside of Ms. Kincaid’s room, and I open the door for the kids who run inside, eager to see their teacher. We find Everly Kincaid inside at the dry erase board, writing her name and “Welcome family” in bright letters. She’s a little taller than Sophie with long black hair. She turns around when she hears us and gives us a big smile, her hazel eyes shining.

“Welcome! Asher and Paisley, you look awfully happy today. Who did you bring with you?” She asks as she lowers herself to the kids’ levels.

“This is my daddy, Cane!” Paisley says as she smiles up at her dad.

“This is my mama, Sophie and my daddy, Grayson!” Asher introduces us proudly. My heart aches. He’s so proud to have us as his parents. It makes me feel like I’m doing something right.

“Well, Cane, Sophie, and Grayson, I’m Ms. Kincaid. I’m so happy to meet you all. Youhave wonderful children. Hey kids, how about you show your parents your desks until everyone else shows up?” Everly offers.

The kids rush over to their desks, and we follow behind them. We spend the next hour and a half eating donuts with the kids. They introduce us to all their friends. By the time we’re ready to leave, my heart couldn’t be any fuller. Paisley gives Cane a big hug and Asher does the same for Sophie and me. We tell them that we’ll pick them up after school and then start our walk back to the clubhouse.

Sophie catches me casting longing looks toward the school multiple times and Cane laughs at me.

“It’s not so easy dropping them off, is it?” He smirks at me.

“Shut the fuck up,” I grumble as I pull a smiling Sophie into my side.

“He’ll be perfectly fine,” she murmurs as she smiles up at me. I knew he would be because he was raised by the incredible woman in my arms, and she could handle anything that life threw at her.

23

SOPHIE

When the weekend rolls around we throw a party with all the chapters of Sovereign Sons to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the original charter’s founding in Silver Springs. This is my first big event as the old lady of the club president, so it’s a little intimidating.

Luckily, since Candy was ousted from the club, most of the club sluts have come around to me. Lacey, Ana, and Lucy have been helping me prepare all week. We have cooked food, with the help of Chef, decorated, and cleaned every inch of the club. Not that most of the men will even notice. Most of them are just coming to get drunk and find someone to fuck. Which is why the kids will be staying at Chef’s place tonight when things take a turn in that direction. They’ll be here for dinner, though, because Grayson already warned everyone to keep it clean.

Grayson also told the club that he’ll only be in attendance tonight and that he would leave the debauchery to them for the rest of the weekend.Members are coming from every charter and even some of the sub charters. The presidents and vice presidents of the New Orleans, Las Vegas, Portland, Detroit, and Boston charters will all be here.

From what Gray has told me, none of the presidents or vice presidents are the same as when I was younger, which is kind of refreshing. The past club officers were always just like my father, and that’s the last thing this club needs.

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