Page 52 of Sapphire's Gem
“Lunch, Saph. Come on,” I ordered and walked over to her, grabbing her hand.
For once, Sapphire seemed lost for words while she followed me.
“Sapphire!” she hissed as she caught up finally.
“Saph.”
“Asshole,” Sapphire said, but there was no heat in it. In fact, she seemed bemused as she let me lead her out of the warehouse and around the back, where I knew they had their cookouts. There were picnic tables there, but I bypassed them and headed towards the edge of the water. I spread a blanket out and waved my hand.
“Your meal awaits!”
Chapter Eleven.
Hayden
Sapphire had definitely been caught off guard, and I liked it. She was always in control and so confident in herself. She sat on the blanket and gazed out over the water.
“It’s beautiful here,” I said, placing the basket down, and hitching my pants, I took a seat next to her.
“It’s one reason we chose this warehouse.”
“There was more?” I stared at the view in front of us.
“Yeah. The fact it stood alone here and there, with no neighbours. Not that we were doing anything wrong, but many of us haven’t had it easy, and we wanted space to be ourselves. Not to have people complain about us partying or being judgmental.” Sapphire bit her lip. I guess that had happened in the past.
“Makes sense.”
“We also got a shitload of land. Maybe one day we’ll build our own community here. The clubhouse is great, but if we have families, we might want the white picket fence.”
“Do you?” I asked, suddenly desperate to find out.
“It’s not in the cards for me.” Sapphire looked sad, and I was curious.
“Says who?” I challenged.
“Me. The other reason was that the warehouse was huge, so that we could build apartments there instead of bunks. There are usually several of us with PMS at a time; that ain’t pretty. Having an apartment meant we had space instead of feeling as if we were in prison.”
Sapphire’s change of topic wasn’t subtle, and I wasn’t prepared to let it go. “You don’t see yourself with a partner or children?”
“What can I offer kids, Wylde? I’m an MC president who was abandoned as a baby. I know nothing about what a good parent looks like, and I’d probably fuck up my kid. There’re enough fucked-up kids as it is.”
“You considered adopting?” I asked, and I couldn’t disagree with her opinion. I saw way too much fucked-up shit in my life. Kids were often the victims that adults simply didn’t consider when they tried to tear each other apart.
“Maybe someday.”
I began unpacking the picnic and smiled as her eyes lit up. Egg and ham sandwiches, sour cream chips, a couple of cream cakes, and some snacky bits. I’d included potato salad and coleslaw, and some pasties.
“These are some of my favourite foods,” Sapphire exclaimed.
“Why do you think Gramma was grilling you?” I asked, and Sapphire looked surprised.
“That was sneaky, Wylde.”
“Hayden.”
“Huh?”
“Call me Hayden, Saph,” I said.
