Page 44 of Jag

When we broke apart, I told them everything I knew.

“Damn, Jag. Whatever you need. You shouldn’t be riding. I’ll ride your bike back,” Coast said. I wanted to argue I was fine to ride my own damn bike, but I wasn’t. I was functioning on autopilot. Reaching in my pocket, I handed over my key.

“Jag, take however much time you need to take care of your daughter. Don’t worry about the club or anything else right now. We got your back, brother,” Speed said, and I nodded.

“You ready to go, son? We need to pack a bag and get to the airport,” my dad said. I knew he was right. I turned and saw River standing off to the side with Sami. I hadn’t realized she’d move away when the others got there.

I walked over to her, leaned down, and kissed her. “Thank you. Not sure I’d be able to think if you hadn’t been here.”

“Yes, you would have.”

“I gotta go.”

“I know you do,” she said and gave me a half smile.

“Come with me,” was out of my mouth as soon as I thought it. For some reason, River affected me like no other woman had. And the thought of going anywhere without her put knots in my stomach. While I waited for her to answer, the one part of me that hoped she’d refuse to go fought with the other part that wanted her there.

“Dom, you don’t need me there. Your focus needs to be on Poppy.” River touched my arm and rubbed.

“I don’t know anything about taking care of a baby. What am I supposed to do?” I asked and moved her hand off my arm only to grab both her hands with mine.

“You’re just overwhelmed. Once you get there and see her everything will fall in place.”

I knew it wasn’t rational to put River on the spot, but at the moment she felt like a lifeline to me. And if she weren’t by my side, I would drown.

“Please come with me. I want you there. I need you there,” I said, and River looked at Sami who only shrugged.

I glanced over my shoulder at Speed, Coast, and my dad.

“Say yes, girl, so we can get it in gear,” my dad said, and I turned back to River.

“You all realize this is crazy, right? I’ve known him a total of three days. And I’m supposed to get on plane and travel across the country to meet his daughter whom he didn’t know about.”

“Does your babbling mean you are considering it?” I asked, and River stared at me.

“I might be able to sway her,” my dad said, then looked at River. “That your new vehicle beside Sami’s car?” he asked her, and I frowned.

“Yes.” I noticed River was frowning, too.

“Nice. Will you make my boy happy if I stand in the road and let you back into me?” River didn’t answer, she just stared at my dad.

“Dad, enough,” I said, but kept my eyes on River. “Sorry, he’s just trying to lighten the mood.” River looked back at me.

“Good, we’re going to need his humor for the long ass flight.” It was my turn to stare.

“That a girl! Live in the moment,” my dad said, then cupped her face and kissed her forehead. “Thanks, darlin’. I think he does need you.”

I still held River’s hands and I gave them a squeeze, drawing her attention back to me as my dad stepped back.

“You’re really coming?”

“Yes, which if we don’t get a move on it, I may change my mind. You go with your dad and get want you’re taking ready to go. I need to pack my own bag and call my dad and tell him I’ll be out of town. Neither one of you need to drive, so we will take my vehicle to the airport. I’ll need it there anyway because I’m not sure how long I’ll get to stay. I’ve got to get things ready before schools starts.”

“You’re amazing,” I said and kiss her cheek. “See you, in say, an hour?”

“That should work,” River answered.

“While we’re waiting on you, I’ll go online and book the tickets,” my dad said, then started toward his truck.

---