Looking down at my watch, I saw it was time for Collins to eat and then take her medicine. Only I left my bag out in the truck. “Shit.”
“What is it, Baby girl?”
“I left my bag out in your truck. It’s time for Collins’s medicine.”
“I got it. Get plates made. I’ll go get it.”
Smiling, I nodded when he let go of me. I walked over to Collins and Laci and said, “Time to eat, Sunshine.”
“Okay.” Both girls said in unison and together we fixed their plates as well as mine and one for Gage.
Before I could worry about how I was going to carry ours, one of the plates was taken from my hands. Looking up and up at who had grabbed it, it was a man that wore a hood over his face. I couldn’t see his face because of the hood.
I didn’t say a word as I nodded, smiled, and walked over to a table.
He sat the plate down, then walked away and back to a corner where I saw him sit down beside a gorgeous woman.
“Who was that?” I asked just as Gage sat down beside me. Collins and Laci were shoveling food into their mouths so they could play.
“Skinner.” He said as he grabbed the bottle of beer he had brought with him and titled the neck over to Skinner.
When Skinner nodded, he looked at me, then at his plate, and with that, he leaned in and kissed the side of my neck. “Thanks, Baby girl.”
Breathlessly I said, “Welcome.”
That was when Michelle and who I assumed to be Cam sat down with their own plates as a little boy followed behind him and took the last available chair.
Cam asked the little boy when he saw that his plate was piled high, “Cruz, did you leave any food?”
“Really Dad? You got more than I did.” And it was true. Looking around, all the men’s plates were loaded up high.
Even the one I made for Gage.
After everyone had eaten while laughter had flowed around the area, I gave Collins her medicine, and then she was off to play with her new friend.
Later, while I sat in a lawn chair with Gage at my side, I sipped on my only bottle of beer for the night.
“You playing brother?” Cam asked Gage.
“Fuck yeah, it ain’t a party unless you're singing.” A man I had been introduced to as Savage said.
That was when Collins ran over and looked up at Gage. “Yes, Gage, please. Will you playSweet Child of Mine?” I knew why she liked the song. Ever since she heard him play it, she had me play it for her on my phone while she fell asleep at night.
“You want me to sing, Buttercup?” I looked at Collins and then back at Gage.
“Yes, please.” She squealed with excitement.
He looked into my eyes and then, seeming to come to a conclusion, he simply nodded, and then he started to strum on his guitar that Lincoln had handed him.
His voice was low and melodic while he belted out the song. I’ve never heard anything quite like it.
And when he sang the chorus, his eyes were on Collins and me.
My heart fluttered to a rhythm that I’ve never heard before.
Sweet baby Jesus.