Page 15 of Freedom Ride

“Because I could only carry the cake out here.” Meg grabbed the cake and headed back to the clubhouse. “Everything else is still inside. Move it, girls,” she ordered.

Luna and Greta grumbled, but they both followed Meg.

“Mind if I sit here?” Birdie asked.

I motioned to the seat. “It’s all yours, Birdie.”

She sat down heavily and let out a sigh. “I can’t believe all of the food we ate, and Meg just pulled out a cake.”

I chuckled and finished my beer. “Yeah, well, this is typical Meg. Feeding people is how she shows she cares. That didn’t change in six years.”

“Yeah,” Birdie agreed. “Granted, I’ve pretty much only known her for six years, but whatever.” She cleared her throat and leaned on the table. “Everything kind of happened fast after,” she cleared her throat and looked down at her hands, “Layla, but I never got the chance to say...”

I tipped my head to the side.

“I don’t know what I’m trying to say.” She closed her eyes, and a smile curved her lips. “Thanks for killing Aaron? It didn’t bring back Layla, obviously, but he got what he deserved.” She opened her eyes, and a tear streaked down her cheek. “Thank you for being the type of guy she deserved. She deserved the type of man who would do anything for her.”

“You don’t need to say thank you, Birdie. I just... I just did what anyone would have done.” If I wouldn’t have killed Aaron, Easy would have, and he would have spent the past six years without Birdie.

“I know,” she whispered. She reached out and squeezed my hand. “Thank you for doing what Easy would have done. Thank you for giving me Easy for the past six years.”

“Cake?” Luna interrupted. She plopped two plates on the table and wandered off without a response.

“Has she gotten bitchier being pregnant?” I asked.

“Uh, I think Meg would call it sass.” Birdie grabbed a plate and dug her fork into the thick cake.

“Sure, sass,” I laughed. “Luna is just full of sass.”

“I know you’re talking about me,” Luna called. “And for the record, I’m not bitchy, just six months pregnant, and the smell of buttercream is making me nauseous.” She curtsied and tipped her head to the side. “Enjoy your cake.”

Birdie scoffed, and I couldn’t help but smile.

I was home, and everything was just like it should be.

Meg and Bristol cooked a feast, the guys acted as if no time had passed, and I was surrounded by family.

I was truly home.

*

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