Page 45 of Finding Solace
"I get it, babe. After my brother Pops died, I couldn't stay in my childhood home. We had some good times in that house, but after losing them both, I couldn't bring myself to stay there. So, after living in the clubhouse for months, I decided to sell. Not long after that, I bought the firehouse." Reidshares.
I love when he gives little pieces of his story to me. He has a hard time opening up, so I cherish every part of himself he shares withme.
When we pull up to the clubhouse, Reid steps out and automatically goes to get Ava from her car seat in the back. She had fallen asleep on the way here and didn't stir as she rests her head on Reid's shoulder while walking inside. Gabriel is the first to greetus.
"Hey, brother. Why don't you take Ava to lay down with Gabe. He's taking a nap in Alba's old room. I have the monitor," he says taking a baby monitor from his back pocket and showingus.
Giving Gabriel a nod, Reid turns towards me. "I'm going to put her down, why don't you go find the girls. They're probably in the kitchen with Lisa. Maybe you could offer to peel some potatoes," hesmirks.
I place my hands on my hips, "You're never going to let me live that down, areyou?"
"Not a fuckin' chance, Kitten," he says to my retreating back as I flip him the bird over myshoulder.
"What was that about?" Quinn pipesup.
"Nothing," Reid and I say inunison.
"Finally," Bella says when I walk into the kitchen. "Where's my sweet girl?" she inquires aboutAva.
"Ava fell asleep on the way here, so Reid is putting her down for a nap with Gabe," I tell her. Speaking of baby Gabe, I see his momma Alba sitting at the table with a bowl of cereal. "How are you feeling today,Alba?"
"My back is a little achy, but other than that I feel great." Shesmiles.
"Well, you look great. Pregnancy agrees with you." I let herknow.
I'm startled by a gruff voice from behindme.
"I agree," Gabriel says from the doorway of the kitchen, his heated gaze on Alba. "CariñoSweetheart,Gabe's asleep," he tells her. With a shy smile and a blush, she abandons her meal and goes to her man who's holding out his hand to her. Once they leave the kitchen, Bella, Lisa, and I all look at each other before we break out in laughter, because yeah, we know what's about to godown.
An hour later we all sit down to eat. Ava and Gabe both woke up from their naps and since Gabriel and Alba were momentarily indisposed, I took it upon myself to get Gabe settled into his high chair and feed him his lunch. It was hilarious when Alba and Gabriel finally made their appearance. Gabriel had the biggest grin on his face whereas Alba was beet red from embarrassment because we all knew what they were up to. Of course, Quinn had to go and make itworse.
"You okay, sweetheart?" He asks Alba. "You look a littleflushed."
It was Gabriel who came to her defense. "Fuck off,Quinn."
But it's Logan who wipes Quinn's smile off his face with his comment. "Hey Quinn, still sniffin' around Emerson? Heard she still won't give you the time of day. I think you're losing your touch,brother."
Everyone busts out laughing at Quinn's expense. It's no secret he has a thing for Emerson, only she seems to be immune to hischarm.
"I'm not losing shit. I've hit a little snag is all. I'm beginning to think she may swing the other way," Quinnannounces.
"Emerson is not gay," Bellareplies.
Quinn eyes Bella, "How do youknow?"
Bella cocks her head to the side, debating whether she wants to give Quinn her answer. The whole table has gone silent. Probably because the shy doctor is somewhat of a mystery to us all. We all know she and Bella have become good friends and she has been to the clubhouse a few times, but other than that no one seems to know much about her. I'm starting to suspect Bella does. After a moment Bella speaksup.
"She has a date tonight. With aman," sheemphasizes.
He jolts from his chair at the table, "Who the fuck with?" Quinndemands.
All eyes are ping-ponging back and forth between Bella and Quinn at this point. Lunch has suddenly turnedinteresting.
"Some guy her parents set her up with," Bellagives.
No sooner do her words leave her mouth, Quinn storms away from the table. Moments later we hear his bike start up and the sound of his tires as he peels out of the driveway leaving us all speechless. Quinn is the more laid back of the men, and I've heard of his ventures. Reid has mentioned before Quinn has never been serious about a woman. Judging by his reaction we just witnessed moments ago, he seems serious about Emerson. Either that or he's butthurt over her rejection. My vote is on the latter. No man has that kind of reaction over a woman he's only interested in getting into bed. Nope, the doctor means more thanthat.
"Angel, what did you do?" Logan asksBella.
