Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26738 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26738 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Raven laughed. “I’m fucking terrified of screwing everything up. I … I wish my mom was here. You know, to tell me when I’m messing up or when I’m getting it right.”
“They have books for that kind of thing.”
“The books aren’t my mom.”
Smokey grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. He and Raven were not in the habit of being overly affectionate people, but when it came to Raven, he found that he cared a great deal for her. She was a friend, a sister, and someone he wanted to always protect.
“Have you and Ava talked much this week?” Smokey asked.
“I’ve avoided her, to be honest. I know that’s not good, but with everything going on, I didn’t want to ruin your surprise. Why? Is something up?”
“No, nothing is up.” But she had slept in their son’s room last night. In the morning when he woke up, the coffee pot had been on with a note asking him to get the decorations out of the attic, but no sign of his wife or son.
Was Ava pissed off with him? He couldn’t help but think about how she pulled away from him last night, or the fact she had given him a cheek to kiss.
Just a cheek.
Nothing else.
What the fuck did that even mean?
Why did he only get a cheek?
“Something is up,” Raven said.
“Nothing is.”
“You’re scowling.”
“Could you stop by and perhaps talk to her or something?” Smokey asked.
“I can try. I don’t want to lie to her though. This surprise is stressful.”
Smokey groaned. “It’s nearly done. Just a couple more days.”
Raven sighed. “You do know Ava has forgiven you, right?”
“This isn’t about that.”
“I know you want to wipe out the memories, but one thing I’ve come to see is that you can’t force that. Trust me. The memories are always going to be there. The only difference is how everyone deals with it.”
Smokey glanced toward her. “That kind of talk does not fucking comfort me.”
She chuckled. “I’m keeping it real.”
They arrived at the church to see Jonah outside. He wore a thick jacket and was carrying a brush, wiping away the snow from the previous night’s fall.
After climbing out of the car, Raven matched him step for step.
“Raven, Smokey, this is a pleasant surprise.” Jonah put the brush down and shook his hand, then Raven’s.
“It’s good to see you, Jonah,” Raven said, and then surprised Smokey as she hugged the other man.
Jonah patted Raven’s back, and then took a step back. “I want to thank you,” Jonah said, looking toward him. “For Larissa. I know with her losing her job at the library, it truly upset her, and she was worried, even though I’ve told her she has no reason to be.”
“I’ll keep an eye on her, Jonah.”
“We all will,” Raven said.
“Thank you. Is there anything you need?”
Smokey wasn’t used to this, asking people to be part of a Christmas celebration, inviting people.
This is for Ava.
All of this is for Ava.
“Actually, I don’t know if Larissa told you, but we’re having a big get-together at the clubhouse. I’ve invited her, and I wanted to extend the invitation to you.”
“It’s for Ava,” Raven said.
“Ah, so that’s what all the fuss is about.”
“Fuss?” Smokey asked.
Jonah chuckled. “The town has been whispering rumors about what the MC is up to. Some of them are more elaborate than others.”
“No one has said anything to Ava?” He didn’t give a shit what people said about him. He was used to the lies spoken about him and the club. It had been happening for years, but his woman was different.
No one could hurt his woman. It would piss him off.
“Not that I know of. I think everyone is terrified of you, and of course, Ava being yours, they know she’s protected by you.”
That should have filled him with joy, but if anything, all it did was annoy him.
No one should be afraid of Ava. She was a good person. No one should ever make his woman feel like he was a problem.
Smokey clenched his hands into fists. All he wanted was to create this surprise for his woman, and every single way he turned, it was all getting fucked up.
“I would love to come,” Jonah said. “I know Larissa is excited as well. She will help keep everything all neatly organized.”
Smokey shook Jonah’s hand. “I look forward to you coming.”
He knew Jonah would have other commitments with the church, but he was always welcome at the clubhouse. Jonah was a good man. A nice man.
Heading back to the car, he looked down the street toward his woman’s bakery.
“You want to go see her?” Raven asked.
Smokey thought about her presented cheek last night. Did he want to risk that kind of rejection with Raven watching?
“She doesn’t want me ruining shit.” He climbed behind the wheel and took off, heading back to the clubhouse where his clubhouse was beginning to look like a neon sign for Christmas.