Page 44 of The MC's Surprise
Maggie offered me a plate with a soft smile. She was a gentle soul and a people pleaser to be sure, so I always offered something in return when she fed me.
“Don’t do the dishes. I’ve got those when I finish.”
That caused Prez to turn around, pointing at me as he glared at the rest. “At least he knows how to act. You idiots need to stop showing up begging for food. You’re not puppies.”
Wrong thing to say. All four of us immediately made puppy eyes at him and Rooster even added some whining for effect. Sierra burst out laughing at our antics and Prez just rolled his eyes. I felt myself relax for the first time since Charlotte called demanding I come help her. This was what I wanted. My crew, my girl, everyone smiling and teasing one another. I couldn’t ask for anything better than this.
25
Sierra
The following weekend, we packed up some snacks and headed out on the long drive to the nearest city with a baby store in it. I was reluctant at first, I’d hoped to keep costs down by going to a thrift store or something, but Vegas said it was just to make a registry. We wouldn’t have to buy anything if we didn’t want to. And it wouldn’t hurt to look. I didn't have a clue what we needed. Thankfully, my mom was coming with us. She knew more than I did.
“I have a question,” Mom piped up from the back seat. I’d tried to get her to sit up front, but she refused, saying I needed to be up there to avoid getting nauseous. I’d never been car sick in my life, but I decided it was best not to argue with her. She was trying to help.
“Shoot,” Vegas said, keeping his eyes on the road.
“Why do bikers use those silly nicknames? Do you all not care about the gift your mothers gave you when naming you?”
“Mom,” I groaned, drawing it out.
“What?” she demanded. “It’s a legitimate question!”
Vegas, for his part, didn’t look offended by the question. He was grinning as he explained it to her. “The reason varies, honestly. I think originally, the people who were in MCs were vets and pulled those names from their military days. Now, it’s a way to feel included in the crew. You’re given a name and your patch when you move up from prospect to full member.”
Mom nodded slowly. “Okay, so why are they all silly then? Like why Vegas?”
He chuckled, and I loved how easygoing he was about her prying. Him and his crew definitely weren’t what people thought. None of them ever showed offense answering awkward questions like this at the events. As long as people were polite to them, they were polite back. It only made me more determined to fix their reputation. They deserved to be treated like they treated others.
“Well, I was given the name Vegas because before I started my own business, I made most of my money at casinos. I’m killer at most card games. The guys usually try to get me drunk before going up against me. Otherwise they’re guaranteed to lose.”
I didn’t know that and curiosity got the best of me. “I want to see you play. You never have at the casino.”
He snorted. “No, that’d be like playing against myself. The house money is my money because its my casino. But I’ll have you join at the next club party. Did you ever convince your dad to come along?”
Mom answered that question herself. “Once he learned a few of his friends were part of the crew once upon a time, he seemed interested in going. Do the older guys come to all the parties?”
“Not all of them,” Vegas admitted. “We’re a little rowdy for them sometimes. They prefer hanging out at Axel’s bar and chatting over actual partying. But they do come to some parties. And if I told them he was going to be there, I’m sure they’d show up just to hang out with him.”
Cute. It was like they were planning a playdate for my dad. I would have to work really hard to keep a straight face when we mentioned it to him later.
Getting back to the main topic, Mom asked, “So who has the silliest name in the crew? I’ve heard of Prez and Sierra mentioned someone named Butch. That was the most normal name I’d heard. Whose is the silliest.”
“That’d be Rooster,” Vegas replied with a smirk. “He’s got bright red hair and he crows when he wins at any competition. There’s also Circus. He’s a stuntman on his bike, which was how he earned his name.”
I honestly thought my mom would be more judgmental about the crew. She was kind of uptight on a good day. But Vegas had a way with people and seemed to put her at ease. She laughed at the funny nicknames in the crew, asked questions about the kids who were as much a part of it as Vegas and the other guys were, and seemed genuinely excited to meet them. She hadn’t been to one of our community outreach events yet, they’ve conflicted with her work schedule, but I made plans for a blood drive soon and my mom always participated in those if she could. She said it was an effortless way to give back when she and dad weren’t making enough to do anything more. I normally donated regularly too, but I’d get back to it once the baby was born. For that event, I would just be the coordinator.
We arrived in the city to cloudy skies. I grimaced remembering the last time I got caught in the rain. I didn’t want a repeat of that if I could help it. I swore I felt chilly all day despite the warm clothes Vegas lent me.
“Don’t worry,” Vegas said, drawing my focus to him. “I’ve got an umbrella in the back. I’ll grab it if we need it.”
I thought about leaning across the center console to kiss him to show my appreciation, but it felt weird to do that in front ofmy mom. Instead, I gave him a gracious smile and waited for him to come around the car to help me out of it when he asked.
“Oof. Am I almost done yet?” I complained as I got to my feet.
Mom’s smile was sympathetic when she patted my arm. “I know, honey. The last few weeks are always the hardest. Luckily, places like this always have somewhere to sit down if you need a rest. Don’t push yourself if you’re feeling tired.”
Sometimes it still surprised me just how understanding she was being. It wasn’t that she was a cruel person, she was always loving, but as I grew into an adult, there was always a hint of caution and warning in her tone and her eyes always seemed to hold the things she wasn’t saying out loud. Like she was just waiting for my plans to fall apart.
