“I had nothing to do with that.” I point toward the car as we watch the ass end lurch forward with Nova driving like a maniac. “You know your mom does whatever she thinks is right.”
Tears crest in her eyes and I swallow roughly. I don’t do so well when my girls cry—any of them. Seeing them sad makes me feel like I’ve been stabbed in the chest. “But...” she whispers, trailing off as a tear breaks free, wetting her cheek as it runs down the creamy skin.
“What, baby? What is it?” I question softly and pull her to my chest where more of her tears break free.
“Mom always drives with Nova.”
“Yeah? Why does that upset you so much?”
“Because she believes that Nova is so much like her.”
“They have a lot in common, that’s all.” I attempt to reason as she hiccups.
“Nova’s going off to college...but, I’m like mom.”
“Well, you’re all stubborn like your momma.” A chuckle breaks free, as I think of my headstrong ol’ lady.
“No, Dad,” she pulls away, meeting my gaze with a new fire burning in her irises I’ve never seen before. “I want to race.” She hisses and at that moment she’s right, she’s every bit Chevelle twenty years ago.
Sweet Jesus, I feel for the kid who falls in love with her. He’ll have his hands full. Not that it’ll happen before she’s at least thirty.
“If you’re serious, Shelby, I’ll talk it over with your mom.” I give in, not wanting her to be upset. I’d rather we know what she’s doing versus her attempting to hide it from us. I’m an asshole to nearly everyone else, but one tear from my little girl and I’m bending over backward without blinking to make her happy.
She pops up, suddenly full of pep, and pecks my cheek. “Thanks, Daddy, love you!” And miraculously the tears instantly disappear, and she runs off toward the house.
Brat...she’s spoiled like her mom! I wouldn’t change them for the world though. I’ve never loved someone so much in my life.
“Bro, you’re not going to fuck her.” My buddy Maverick chides through the phone. He’s a couple years older than me, and he recently got his patch. His dad let him start prospecting for the Oath Keepers MC back when he turned eighteen. He thinks he’s a total badass now because of it.
“I’m giving it two weeks at the most.”
“Hmm, two weeks? You want to bet on it?”
“I’ve got fifty saying I hit it.”
“All right, if it doesn’t happen by the beginning of week three, you owe me fifty bucks.”
“Done,” I state firmly, knowing I’ll wear her guard down by then.
He laughs. “You need to hurry up and come prospect for the club. The brothers would get in on this bet in a heartbeat and then you’d really lose some money.”
I snort. “Because losing money should make me want to join up even faster?”
“No, because you’d have the entire club behind you. Think of the cash you’d get if you won.”
“You have a point Mav; maybe I should talk to my dad about joining...”