Page 44 of Speed

Sami’s time was up tomorrow, and I needed her to come on her own to me. I’d never needed someone as I needed her. I’d realized too late the ultimatum I set would crush me too if she blew me off. I was banking on what I’d seen in her eyes when she looked at me.

We were almost to the table when a little girl across from us leaned in, that’s when Ally raised her head and saw us, the smile that followed was worth the shit I heard from the others yesterday when I mentioned this. They came anyway, it was what brothers did, they’d always have my back. We reached her table, and she jumped in my arms when I opened them to her.

“You came.” She hugged me tight and then I sat her down. “You all came.” She smiled at them, her eyes glistened just the slightest, and when I looked at my brothers, I’d remember this moment forever. I’d remind them of the day one little girl had stolen their hearts, just like she’d done mine.

We made our introductions, and each took a seat by a kid. I shook my head when I noticed Flirt sat with the only boy at the table. He looked at us and smirked. The kids had been shy at first, but it only took Ally informing me what I was doing wrong to have the other kids doing the same.

“Not like that, Speed. Yous got to put a little glue, then press the noodle in it.”

“Sure thing, darlin’.”

Crusher chuckled beside me until the little girl he sat by chimed in. “At least your daddy fill-in (the nickname they deemed us with) can use the scissors.”

“If they made the da...” Ally looked over at Crusher and he smiled, “dang things weren’t made to fit big hands.”

“Please, Aaron and I here didn’t have any trouble cutting ours out.” Flirt patted the kid on the back and got a smile for his effort. I had to admit it looked good. Instead of folded out dolls, they did a motorcycle.

“How come you didn’t cut me out a bike? I don’t like dolls,” Ally told me and the others hadn’t dared to look at me, but I’d heard their snickers.

“Next time, okay?” When she got quiet, I looked down at her. “What?”

“Yous going to be here for my next daddy party?” The kids continued to talk, but my brothers looked at me, my brows cocked, they hadn’t had to say a word. It was time to tell her, but not in a classroom full of parents and kids.

“I will be there for your party or any other time you need me. Always.” She didn’t answer, she just sighed and leaned into me, placing her head on my arm.

We’d made faces on paper plates with noodles, cut construction paper to fan out into dolls, but it was the kids who made the experience enjoyable.

After crafts, we ate lunch with them and had cake. Overall the time had ended on a good note. Parents hugged their kids goodbye and filed out of the classroom. The kids who’d sat with my brothers gave them hugs and told them bye. I wished I had my phone out to take pictures of their faces when the kids had done that. It would have been great entertain at the next Church.

“See ya, darlin’.” I stood back up from hugging Ally.

“Yous doing a sleepover tonight with Momma?”

“Not tonight, Ally. Soon, okay?”

“‘K.” She sat back in her chair, sighed, and touched the doll we cut out. I knew what she wanted, I wanted the same thing.

By the time I’d gotten outside the guys were standing by their bikes, all but Coast. While I walked toward the others, I searched the parking lot and found him talking with one of the men who had been at the party. The man looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him.

“Whose Coast talking to?”

I received shrugs as we watched Coast as he walked toward us and got on his bike.

“Who was that he looked familiar?” Coast chuckled.

“Bert Samson.”

“The mayor’s son?” Devil asked.

“And Benji’s dad. I asked Mari, the little girl I sat with to point Benji out. So when I walked out and was waiting on you guys, I saw Bert come out. Thought I’d have a little talk with him.” Coast revved his bike ready to leave.

“And?” I asked.

“Told him to teach his kid that males were to be nice to girls. And added that the next time Benji said ugly shit to Ally, as his dad he would be the one taught how to treat a woman by Ally’s dad and uncles.”

We laughed and pulled out of the parking lot.

Sami

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