“Good. Now, there’s something that I wanted to discuss with you. Jackson, come here.”
I usually stand in the back and just observe the entire conversation and they let me. It’s not like I’m going to really contribute much to the conversation. I know that I’ll be taking over the business someday. Logan was supposed to be taking it over with me, and I don’t know what the fuck is going to happen with that now. Easton was going to bow out and focus his time on fighting and The Pit, but now there’s been some talk about him staying in the business, at least in some way.
I step up and stand next to Easton, hands fisted behind my back as I wait for whatever it is that Rich has to say.
“I know this shit with Sanders devastated us all. It’s over, and thank fuck for that, but the damage from Logan’s death and everything…” He sighs and shakes his head. “We’ve all been in a funk for a few months now, but I think we all need to start getting back into the groove. I’ve been putting off some of the business, but things need to be done. I think it would be best for you guys to take on some of the bigger jobs and get more acclimated. What happened in Wisconsin… you all handled it really well, and we’re all really proud of you, regardless of what happened.”
“What’s the job?” Easton, as always, cuts right to the chase.
“The Seven.”
My eyes give away my shock.What?
The Seven are part of a motorcycle club based out in California. We have a good relationship with them. They were out here a month ago, so I’m not quite sure what’s going on now.
“What about them? They were just here.” Easton steps forward and crosses his arms over his chest.
“Nothing bad. Lynx called me the other day, said he’s doing a deal with Mexico and wondering if we can help out.” Lynx is head of the Seven. I’ve only met him a few times, but I can tell he’s a good guy. But, he’s also a crazy motherfucker.
“And you want me to go out there and help with the deal?” Easton cocks his head, understandably. We don’t ever handle deals like this. We stick close to home and usually deal with the messes, not helping others. I’m just as confused as he is.
“Both of you. Only you guys. I think it’ll be good for both of you. Get away from here for a bit and get to work without one of us breathing over your shoulder.” Ahh, so this shit is a test to see if we’re capable of taking over the business.
“Hugo going?” I speak up. Hugo’s almost always there when we’re working on a deal. I love the guy, but at the end of the day he’s our babysitter. There to make sure we don’t fuck up.
“No. Not this time.”
Shit.
“When are we leaving?” A lilt of excitement lifts in Easton’s voice, and I know he’s excited. I can’t deny that I’m excited, too. Not only do I get to go back to work, I’ve seriously never been anywhere except Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. I get to go see the ocean.
Fuck, I get to go see the ocean. I get to get out of my house. I get to get away from my dad.
My smile drops.Shit.What about Cara? Fuck, she’s having a baby.
“Not for a few weeks yet. They’re still sorting some things out, but they’re thinking sometime in the next month or two.” Rich stands up and wipes his hand down his flawless suit. “I’ll let you know when I hear more.” He reaches his hand out to shake hands with Easton, like they’re business partners instead of father and son. He shakes hands with me afterwards, and then that’s it.
Just like that, we’ve been dismissed.
9
Cara
4 months pregnant
“Shit. No.” I ripthe skimpy tank top over my head and toss it on the ground with the seven other shirts I’ve tried on.
Seriously, for a pregnant girl I have the worst wardrobe. I guess I can’t blame myself, because I’m trying my hardest to hide the bump that is most definitely visible at this point, and for the life of me I can’t find one damn loose shirt in my damn room. I mean, I can’t very well wear a hoodie in the dead of summer. It’s hotter than shit outside and I’ll have a heat stroke in five minutes flat. Usually I can be burrowed in sweats in the summer, but these pregnancy hormones have me sweating constantly.
On any other day I wouldn’t worry about what I’m wearing, but today is my first doctor appointment. I’m worried someone is going to see me and be like—oh yeah, there’s Cara. No doubt she got pregnant and is going to end up like every other whore here in The Grove. Probably be a slut like her Mama.
Yeah, I don’t give a fuck if someone talks about me, but my hormones do. If I’m out and about and someone talks about me and I start crying? Shit, I don’t even want to imagine it.
These last couple week I’ve been holed up in my house, not wanting to go anywhere and honestly, I’ve been so damn exhausted I haven’t had the energy. I’m not sure if it’s pregnancy or I’m mentally drained, or what. I received some papers from the adoption agency, and I opened it up once and instantly felt sick to my stomach. I threw them on my kitchen table and haven’t looked at them since.
Rose has been keeping me company, coming over almost every day and hanging out.
Jackson on the other hand… it’s been awkward. He’s come over a couple times, but mostly he’s just been texting me. The same text. Over and over again.