Page 58 of A New Era

“The last thing is you can’t get drunk the night before,” Holly tells me.

Arching my brow, I ask, “Why not?”

“Because the first time we kiss as man and wife, I don't want to be kissing a tequila bottle.”

“You act like I wouldn’t brush my teeth. Besides, you’re the one who’s been excessively drinking these days.”

Rolling her eyes, she ticks another item off her list and smiles. I could live with her smile for the rest of my life, and I intend to.

“Just drink moderately and I won’t try to kill you,” she threatens so fucking cutely.

I laugh. “You know it’s my right to get wasted the night before I become a married man?”

“Yes, and maybe if you were being forced to marry me, I’d understand. But you asked me and you’re willingly marrying me so there’s no need to get wasted, is there.”

Mom laughs. “Your wife-to-be has a point.”

Standing, I toss Holly my credit card and tell them, “I’m out of here, pay for whatever needs paying, and catch me up later.”

Leaning down, I kiss my mom on the cheek and then Holly on her plump, soft, lips. And then I’m out.

Dark clouds loom over the club. If we get a storm, I hope it arrives and passes before Saturday. I don’t want anything to ruin the day for Holly.

A rumble that most would call thunder fills the air and the prospect wastes no time opening the gates and letting six bikers through. JP has a huge grin and I hold my arms out wide welcoming him and his chapter.

The Five Falls chapter has arrived, and I welcome their presence. JP has been in my life as far back as I can remember. He’s around my dad’s age and is the funniest fucker I’ve ever met. Nothing gets to him, trouble slides off of him like water off of a duck’s back, women come and go, there is nothing that gets to him.

Ashton, his VP, is first off of his bike and walks over and collects me in a breath-stealing hug.

“Look at you, little Leo Jackson, wearing the big patch,” he barks out happily.

“Fuck you,” I retort playfully.

“Tut-tut, there’s no fucking me when you’re just days away from getting a ring on your finger.”

“In your dreams would you be my type,” I throw at him and pull away.

“Hey, you’re the one who was locked up over a year, you tellin’ me you never sought warmth on the cold winter’s nights?”

Shoving him, I threaten, “I should cut your fuckin’ tongue out.”

“Leave him alone, asshole,” JP grunts, pushing him out of the way and yanking me toward him.

The old fucker still has the strength of a lion in him.

“It’s good to see you,” I tell him. “Please tell me you don’t come with any bad fuckin’ news for me.”

“Nothin’ out of the ordinary and nothin’ we can’t fuckin’ handle,” he grunts, and I sigh with relief.

I shoot Holly a text that we have more company and her and Mom come over.

I introduce her to JP and Ashton’s old ladies and while she does her part of settling them in, I show the brothers into the bar.

Dad’s happy to see his brothers and it strikes me that the chapters need more face-to-face gatherings. Meeting up every few years isn’t cutting it and the little things are escalating and sliding when they should be nipped in the bud as quickly as possible.

With the Southern Chapter already here, the bar is becoming overcrowded. I order the prospect to head into town to pick up more supplies.

Luca texts wanting to meet at our spot tonight and I tell him I’ll be there.

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