Page 43 of Keg's Revelation

Gramps stepped all the way into the room and closed the door. “Raven, do you love, Reed?”

“I don’t know. I want him, and I feel his want for me. And in some way, I do love him, but is it because of how he is with the kids? So much is at stake, and I’m afraid one wrong step with Reed will be the end to everything, Gramps.”

“He loves you, Raven.”

“You can’t know that.” I looked at the man who essentially raised me. A man who never judged, not once. The only time he voiced disproval with me was over my decision not to tell Reed about Ry. And even though he was against it, he supported me in the end and kept my secret over the years, even living in the town where chances were great that he’d run into Reed.

“No man looks at a woman like Reed looks at you and not be in love with her. Oh, there’s want in his eyes, too. But do you think Reed hasn’t thought about how what he does with you will affect Ry? I can’t tell you how to feel or know what you feel, Raven, but I can tell you what I see and think. And what I think is you are having trouble viewing Reed as a full-grown man and yourself as a woman. Instead, you’re looking at him as the nineteen-year-old young man who broke your heart with harsh words. Want some advice?”

“Maybe.”

“Stop spending so much time in your head. And I’m not saying you shouldn’t think of Ry and Reagan, but you can’t put your life on hold for what ifs. Whether you and Reed end up together or you find someone else. If you figure out that you do love him, then don’t cheat yourself out of the chance for happiness...you deserve it, Raven, even if you think you don’t.”

I walked to Gramps and hugged him. “Love you.”

“Love you more,” he responded, then let me go. “Now get back to work. Someone has to run this place so I can laze around.”

“You’ve never been lazy a day in your life. Are you sure you and Gran don’t mind keeping an eye on Ry and Reagan tonight?”

“Not at all. Stop worrying and enjoy yourself—not too much, though. I hear those clubhouse parties get a little rowdy.”

“Gramps!”

“What? The MC’s been in this town as long as I’ve been alive. When I was young, it was no secret they were into a few illegal activities. Over the years, I’ve seen them go from bad to worse. Even if I didn’t know any specifics about the club. However, I also watched Reed’s dad put in years of work cleaning up Haven after it had been under the reign of his grandfather and dad.”

“I’m not sure what the club does or doesn’t do. Reed never talks about it. He only talks about his brothers and stuff in general. But I guess I’m going to get a firsthand experience tonight. And I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous about going. The men and women are close-knit, and I assume they know about me keeping Ry from Reed. Not sure how accepting of me being there they’ll be.”

“Give Reed credit, Raven. He wouldn’t be taking you there for his buddies and their women to ostracize you.”

“I know. I guess I’m just nervous about meeting them.”

“Be yourself, Raven, and you’ll be just fine.”

“Yeah. Thanks for the pep talk, Gramps.”

“Anytime, pumpkin. I’m going to go get Sabith from my office and head home.”

“Alright. I’ll try not to be too late.”

“Don’t worry about how late you come home.” Gramps opened the door and started to leave but paused. “And don’t worry if you decidenotto come home.”

“Raven.”

I looked up from the computer when I heard Candice whisper my name. I was sitting in the office looking over the upcoming week’s surgery calendar.

“Why are you whispering, Candice?”

“Because I don’t want the biker from the Haven MC in the waiting area asking for you to hear me. In case you need me to tell him you aren’t here.”

I leaned forward and whispered back, “Candice, you can send him back. Reed’s here to pick me up.”

“No shit,” Candice said and slapped her hand over mouth. “Oh my God, Raven, I’m sorry. That was rude. It’s just you haven’t dated since you moved here, and... I’m going to stop rambling now.”

I heard a chuckle before the “Excuse me.” Then Reed’s face popped around the corner. “When no one came to the front after the door chimed, I figured you didn’t hear it. Came back to tell you there’s a lady at the counter.”

Candice rushed out, and Reed stepped into the office.

“You made an impression on the receptionist.”

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