Page 67 of Bounty
Slice grinned, his eyes sparkling. “What the graduate wants, the graduate gets.”
With zero effort, he scooped me into his arms and headed toward the bathroom, his touch easing my nerves.
A lot of changes took place after I moved to OKC. Learning the identity of my biological father was the biggest. If Slice hadn’t insisted, I might never have found out about Ezekial Lawson, my dead biker father with the same last name as a hero in one of Mom’s books.
At first, the revelation crushed me, but with Slice’s help I realized Lennon Monroe might not have made me, but he was my daddy. My father.
Dad.
I’d never know the relationship I might’ve had with Ezekial, but Dad stepped up to the plate, took care of me, and loved me as much as he loved Heath and Cassie. Neither Mom nor Dad explained what led to her affair. He’d forgiven her and he hadn’t held it against her or me.
Together, Mom, Dad, Slice, and I made a pact to keep the secret between us. It wouldn’t matter to Heath, but Cassie was a different story.
Slice retired from modeling, although Mom continued churning out bestsellers and attending book signings.
I wasn’t sure why this ran through my head as I sat amongst my fellow graduates. Perhaps, it served as a distraction.
The black gown concealing my blue dress felt as heavy as the cap atop my head. In the best way possible, anxiety riddled me as I waited to hear my name. When I finally transferred to Oklahoma State University a few days after the Fall semester began, I worried that my graduation would be delayed even more. I’d had to withdraw during my recovery. Fortunately, all my credits transferred effortlessly. Besides playing catch-up with assignments during the first three weeks, everything was smooth sailing.
Though I graduated on time, my school load had been intense.
The weather played nice today and reflected the cheery moves of the attendees. The sun shone brightly, and a pleasant breeze blew outside. Inside the stadium, however, the many bodies and my nerves made the environment suffocating. Time seemed to drag as I waited for my name to be called. Besides a study buddy here and a lab partner there, I wasn’t familiar with many of my classmates. Still, I clapped for everyone, adding an extra ‘oomph’ for those I did know.
Finally, the moment I was waiting for arrived.
“Effie Monroe,” the announcer called.
As I walked to the stage, my heart beat a rapid tattoo at the applause.
“That’s my daughter!” my mother yelled, and I smiled.
Dad, Heath, Cassie, and Slice accompanied her, though they were more reserved in their cheering, making it harder to make out their voices.
I shook the hands of everyone on stage, accepted my degree, and posed for a picture. The moment I had been waiting for was over within a minute, but the brief time didn’t lessen the sense of accomplishment I felt. I was a second-generation college graduate, and I could not be prouder of myself.
With my degree in hand, the rest of the ceremony passed quickly. The speeches, songs, and the endless procession of my classmates blurred together as I thought about the next chapter in my life.
Riker finally okayed Slice’s new road name and promoted him to top enforcer. I clapped and cheered at the ceremony when they retired his ‘Pretty Boy’ patch and he officially became ‘Slice’. Drifter, Raider, Dolph, Desmond, Saw, Ziggy, Cash, and Stretch even made the trip to OKC. I’d never partied so much in my life. Later, I learned Red Rum and Satan’s Sinners reached an uneasy peace agreement, which had been negotiated by Slice.
Although I missed my family, and Corpus Christi, I was so happy for Slice and proud to be his.
Before I knew it, the graduation ceremony ended and locating my family took me a moment. I nearly screamed when a hand clamped down on my shoulder, my heart rate spiking. The relief I felt when I saw it was Slice was immeasurable.
“You scared me,” I complained, returning his kiss.
He was quite affectionate and loved PDA as much as me.
“Sorry, babe,” he murmured against my lips.
“Eww,” Cassie said, making me pull away from my boyfriend to stick my tongue out at her.
“Be quiet,” I ordered, nestling into Slice as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “You and Chad are always making out in front of us.”
She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Don’t even say his stupid name. I’m so done with that jerk.”
Mmhmm. I’d heard that a million times. As much as I prayed she meant it, I doubt her current sentiment would stick.
“Girls, enough squabbling,” my father said when he, Heath, and my mom came into view.
