Page 20 of Big Easy
"You, too. And please call me Eva." After introducing herself to Jaxson, Mom gives me a hug. "Hey, sweetie."
"Hi, Mom." I smile.
"Dinner is just about done. I hope you like pot roast, Jaxson."
"Love it," Jaxson replies.
"Great! Let's eat then."
Entering the dining room, I ask, "Where's Collin?"
"He had to work late but said he would stop by when he got off," Dad supplies.
An hour later, after we have finished with dinner, we are all sitting out on the deck when Dad speaks up. "So, Sutton tells me you two met at the cancer charity event."
"Yes, sir. My club and I participate in the event every year. My uncle passed away from pancreatic cancer."
My dad's expression turns somber, and he raises his beer. "I'm sorry to hear about your uncle."
"Thanks," Jaxson expresses.
Changing the subject, Jaxson adds, "My club is actually involved with several charities. In fact, there is one my brothers and I are attending in a few days down in New Orleans."
"What charity is that?" Mom asks.
"It's a rally for veterans. The president of the Kings of Retribution Louisiana Chapter is a good buddy of mine. He has invited me and my club to come out for a few days. In fact, I was going to ask Sutton to go with me. I grew up out that way and my family still lives there."
"Really?" I perk up at the news. "You want me to go with you and your club to New Orleans?"
Jaxson puts his arm around me. "I can't think of anything better than having you on the back of my bike and at my side when we arrive at the rally."
"What will you and your club be doing there to raise money?" This question comes from my sister.
"I'm a tattoo artist and my club owns a shop. My brothers and I will be inking anyone who wants a piece."
"That's so cool," Lilly tells him.
"Matter of fact," Jaxson continues. "My club is opening a bar in a couple weeks. The Kings are going to ride down for the grand openin'. I'd like to extend an invite to you all, so you can meet my friends. That way you can make up your own mind about me and my brothers. You'll find there's no better group of people to have at your back. My club and the Kings are loyal to a fault. Now that Sutton is mine, that loyalty extends to her and her family."
On the inside, I'm swooning at the words that just tumbled out of Jaxson's mouth. And by the look on my mom and sisters faces, they are feeling the same way. "Jaxson," I breathe, leaning into his side.. "And my answer is yes, I'd love to go with you." When I cut my gaze toward my dad, I'm shocked to see himgiving Jaxson a look of respect. My father takes the safety of his girls seriously, so I'd say Jaxson just earned a ton of brownie points with his speech. Then I watch his expression change and I know what's coming. It takes all I have to hold back my sigh.
"Wait," Dad cuts in. "Is this event safe? New Orleans can get pretty wild."
"Dad!" I groan. "You realize I'm grown and go to New Orleans all the time. Heck, I meet my friends for drinks there at least once a month. It's perfectly safe." I roll my eyes.
"Yeah, and let's not count the times Sutton and I used to sneak out and go to the French Quarter when we were in high school." My sister stupidity decides to chime in.
"What!" Dad nearly chokes on his food while mom jumps up and pounds on his back.
I shoot my sister a death glare and she winks.
Jaxson squeezes my waist and chuckles. "It's okay, babe." He then addresses my dad. "I promise you, sir, there is no safer place for Sutton than with my men and me. You have my word."
Dad finally catches his breath then studies Jaxson for a beat, judging the sincerity of his words. Seeming satisfied, the subject is changed, and we all carry on a more lighthearted conversation for the remainder of our visit.
Not long after leaving my parents' house, we are pulling up to Hades Outlaw clubhouse, where Jaxson parks his bike alongside several others. Climbing off, I retrieve my purse from the saddlebag and begin fidgeting with the strap. My nerves start to kick in at the thought of meeting his brothers. Placing his finger underneath my chin, Jaxson forces me to look at him. "My brothers are going to like you, babe. Stop worrying. Come on." He takes my hand and leads me inside. Once we step through the door, I take in my surroundings. I'm not sure what I was expecting an MC clubhouse to look like. The place is big. The room we are standing in is an open space with an L-shaped baron the back wall. Hanging above the bar is some sort of lighting fixture made out of metal pipes, and it extends the entire length of the bar. It's actually charming and unique. To my right is what looks to be an eighty-inch flat screen TV mounted on the wall. In front of the TV sits a brown leather sectional sofa and a coffee table. And to my right, in the far corner, is a small stage equipped with a drum set and several guitars resting on their stands. Scattered throughout the rest of the room are a few bar tables and stools. I like it. After I have taken in the room, I realize there are several sets of eyes on me, and the chatter that filled the room when we walked in has come to a halt.
"Hey, Prez. Who ya got there?" a man with messy blond hair asks, and sitting on his lap is a woman with red hair in a messy bun at the top of her head. Both are wearing big smiles.
