“I see,” she replies, an amused glint in her eyes. “I hope you’ll be staying for my husband’s birthday dinner, Atlas.”
“He kind of has to, because we’re driving back home together, too.”
“I’d love to if I’m welcome,” Atlas says to her, tone respectful. “I can now see where Natalie got her beauty and grace from.”
My jaw drops, and I shake my head at him.
So what, now he thinks nicely of me because my mom is here?
Mom laughs, hand on her chest, as I roll my eyes. “Thank you, Atlas. You are so sweet. Now why don’t you tell me how you got stuck driving my daughter here, and how you both know each other? I’m glad that she didn’t have to do the trip all alone, and I’m sure it’s a story I’d love to hear.”
Wow, she is so easily won over. A few compliments and that’s all it takes.
Flattery will get men everywhere.
“Don’t be fooled, Mom,” I say. “This one thinks I’m judgmental because I wouldn’t sleep with him.”
My mother’s eyebrows rise and before she can say anything, Atlas jumps in. “Natalie, Natalie. Let’s not lie to your mother. Let’s start from the beginning. You see, Bailey, when I saw your beautiful daughter, I asked if I could buy her a drink. I thought it was innocent enough, but then she went on and on”—I roll my eyes at his exaggeration, but let him finish as I watch my mother’s amused face—“saying that I should’ve remembered her from the night before, only to find out that she was confusing me with my twin brother, Aries.”
Mom full-out belly laughs. I need to take control of the narrative here. “Well, they do look almost identical. But then I politely told him that I wasn’t interested in him buying me a drink and he got butt-hurt about it. And since then he’s been a bit of an ass to me.” There, I’ve finished the story.
“Not so fast. Before she found out I was a Knight, she was interested. We had a good banter going on, until she was told I was a biker. That’s when the judgment set in...”
My mother has a look like she gets the full picture now. “Ah, that’s my Natty. Always acts first, thinks later. Don’t be fooled by her, Atlas—she tries to come off hardened, but she’s gooey in the center.”
“Mom!You’re supposed to be on my side!” I shout. I can’t believe she’s siding with him.
“I’m on the side of truth, Natty.”
Atlas laughs and I leave them to chat, unable to handle watching them bond over my shortcomings.
Everyone starts to arrive, all of the MC members and their wives, known to me as my aunties and uncles, and then Cara with Decker, Clover and Felix with their daughter, Fire.
I rush over to Cara and take her out to see the bike, where Dice has placed it out the back, so Dad can’t see it when he arrives.
“It looks amazing,” she says excitedly, checking it out from all angles. “Wow. Worth every cent.”
“I know.”
“I can’t wait for him to see it. Thanks for riding it back here,” she says, hand on the seat. “I saw your car here?”
“Yeah, Atlas offered to drive it here for me,” I tell her, knowing what her reaction is about to be.
“I bet he did,” she coos, laughing to herself. “What is going on with you two? I’m getting a frenemies vibe here.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I state. “And he’s here on work business, making sure his product arrived in one piece.”
“I believe you.” She nods.
I arch my brow, knowing there’s more to it than that.
“Except the bike isn’t the product he’s making sure got here safely,” she adds, just loud enough for me to hear. “You know, Con was telling me that she’s never seen Atlas openly date or pursue anyone. Ever.”
“Yeah, that’s because he can’t get anyone to date him,” I declare.
Cara smirks. “Really? Because he’s hot. You said so yourself.”
“Yes, he’s hot,” I admit. “It’s his personality that needs work.” As I say the words, I know they are untrue. Sigh. If Atlas weren’t a biker, I would date him. But there is just too much wrapped up with being part of the biker’s world. I’m part of it by birth, but it wasn’t by choice.