Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
I turn and catch Teller’s eye. He sits forward and nods. He’s ready to get this out in the open too.
“Teller and I have some news we wanted to share with the club.”
Jesus Christ, I can’t believe I’m airing my business like this. Even if it is to my brothers.
I have everyone’s attention. Every head at the table, turned my way. Everyone waiting for whatever I’m about to say. “Ah, a couple of months ago, I found out…” I glance at Teller again. Spit it out. “That Teller’s my son.”
“What?” Bricks shouts. “How is that possible?”
“That’s what I said,” Teller mutters.
“Boss?” Sparky slowly raises his hand. I grit my teeth, knowing nothing serious will come out of our favorite stoner.
“Yes?”
He tilts his head and pouts, adding sad puppy eyes to the expression. “Are you my daddy too?”
Stash howls with laughter, then shoves Sparky. “Not cool, bro.”
To my left, Marcel has his head down and his fist covering his mouth. His shoulders shake. The fucker’s laughing.
Murphy rolls his eyes and stares at the ceiling, looking like he’d rather be anywhere but here. You and me both.
“I don’t know why I bothered,” I grumble.
Dex blinks. “I think we’re all just a little shocked.”
Not all. Steer, Hustler, and the rest of Z’s crew are wearing various versions of bored and confused faces.
“Wait,” Rav says, “is this really new information? I already thought you two were father and son.” He swivels his head, searching for another brother at the table to agree with him. “Didn’t we already know that?”
Wrath snickers into his hand. Under the table, I launch my foot, landing a solid kick to Wrath’s shin. He wipes the smirk off his face. “No, this is brand-new information,” he says with every bit of sarcasm he’s capable of.
Asshole.
“Prez.” Dex’s gaze swings between Murphy and Teller. “This seems like an, um…sensitive family matter. You didn’t have to share it with everyone if you needed some time.”
“We’ve waited long enough,” Marcel says. “I took some time to adjust.” He tips his head my way. “So did he, I guess.”
“Is Murphy your kid too?” Rav asks. “Because that would make a lot more sense.”
“No,” Murphy growls.
Sparky’s busy tracing his finger over the table, like he’s trying to solve a puzzle. “No, that wouldn’t be right. Then Heidi’d be like his half—”
“Enough, Sparky,” Z says. “Let it go.”
I let out a short whistle to grab their attention. “That’s it. That’s the announcement. Feel free to go on about your lives now.”
Dex raises his hand slightly. “Prez, is this something you want us to keep to ourselves?”
“How the fuck exactly is it going to come up in conversation?” Wrath asks.
Ignoring Wrath, I nod at Dex. “I thought it was important for my brothers to know. I don’t care if people outside the club find out, but I’m not planning to make any other announcements.” I glance at Teller. “Unless you want to.”
“I guess they’ll find out at the wedding.” Marcel shrugs. “New name and all.”
Stash squints at us. “You’re taking Charlotte’s last name?”
“No, dipshit.” Marcel jerks his thumb at me. “His.”
“You’re marrying Rock?” Rav asks.
“Did you all inhale Sparky’s stash of edibles before sitting at the table today?” Wrath asks.
Grinder turns to me, an amused smirk twitching somewhere under his full beard. “You should probably put it in the bylaws that brothers can’t come to the table high.”
“Why are you here again, Grandpa?” I sneer.
“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
Stash wags a finger between Grinder and me. “Wait, is Grinder your dad, too?”
“No,” I growl.
“All right.” Z claps his hands and stands. “That’s enough genetics for bikers for today.”
“Wait.” Dex presses his palms toward the table, motioning for everyone to stay put. “Rock, are you worried this changes how we feel about you at the head of the table? Because I’ll tell you right now, it doesn’t.”
“Yeah, boss,” Bricks adds. “We’ve always known Teller and Murphy were your favorites—”
“Hey,” Wrath interrupts.
“But I think I can confidently speak for everyone when I say…” Bricks stops to glance at each of his brothers. “That we trust you. Trust you with our lives, Prez. No matter who’s related to you.”
I swallow hard and take a second to respond. “Thank you.”
Birch raises his hand. “I’m with Rav on this one. I assumed you were Teller’s dad all along.”
“Same, honestly,” Hoot says.
I can’t help it. Laughter explodes from me. Fucking hell. “That’s great.”
“Oh, fuck! Your first time—the babysitter story!” Rav snaps his fingers together. “That was Teller’s mom?”
“Jesus Christ,” Z mutters. “Are you that fucking slow?”
“If you think about it, it’s kinda cool,” Rav says. “If Rock ever leaves us, we’ll have a spare.”
“That’s…” I don’t even know how to respond. “Heartwarming. Thanks.”
Sparky wiggles his hand in the air in a swimming-fish motion. “You must’ve had some super-swimmer sperm awfully young.”
Why didn’t I dismiss everyone when I had the chance?