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“Yes, you are. I haven’t been in a committed relationship like this before. I never really wanted one, I don’t think. But you kind of fell into my life, and now I can’t imagine my life without you,” he says, squeezing my thigh gently. “I was just waiting for the right person the whole time, apparently.”
“What did you do before, just casually hook up?”
He nods. “Pretty much. Casual sex. Not as much as you’re probably thinking. I wasn’t a playboy like Romeo.”
I laugh. “Well, that’s a good thing. I’d hate to find out that you’ve slept with any of my family members or friends.” Like Romeo did with Rosalind before Julianna.
“No, I don’t think you have to worry about that,” he says.
I put on some nineties hits and the two of us sing along to them all until we arrive at a cute little town house right next to a forest near Mount Charleston.
River opens my door for me and helps me out, and I grab the bouquet of flowers that I brought for his mom, not wanting to show up empty-handed.
And then we walk up to the front door and knock.
Chapter Twenty
River
Bella smiles at my mom and greets her warmly, giving her the flowers she brought. She doesn’t react to her missing eye, and doesn’t even seem to stare at the patch like I’ve seen other people do. I know I should have warned her, but I’m so used to it that it slipped my mind.
“It’s so lovely to finally meet you,” my mother says, beaming as she takes Bella in. “You are absolutely beautiful.”
“Thank you, so are you. It’s nice to meet you, too. Thank you for having me here,” Bella says.
Mom ushers us inside and gets us seated, bringing out some snacks for us and offering to make us tea and coffee. “It’s so nice to see River settle down with someone,” she says, sighing happily as she looks between us. “So tell me about yourself, Bella.”
“Um, well, I’m a property manager, and an only child. I’m a Callisto, which I guess would have been a problem before, but isn’t one anymore,” she replies, smiling over at me. “I came as a package with my dog, Hades. How about yourself?”
“I grew up around the Devils MC, and raised my kids around them. But now I prefer my life of peace and solitude,” Mom says. “I love it here—I foster animals and help run the local animal refuge. And there’s no drama or violence. River comes around and helps me with anything I need; he’s a good boy.”
Bella looks over at me with warmth in her gaze. “Yes, he is.”
We finish our coffee, and then Mom takes Bella for a tour while I chop up some more wood for her. From the back of the property, I can see them walking around and laughing, and see Mom introduce her to all the animals, which I know Bella will love.
Why didn’t I bring her here sooner?
I know I was worried about her finding out about Robert, and she told me she wouldn’t tolerate me lying to her again. If she asks what happened to Mom’s eye, I’m going to have to tell her that my mother is a survivor of domestic violence. What I don’t know if I’ll tell her is what happened to Robert afterward. And I still haven’t told anyone else about him not even being my biological father. But if she asks...
Bella walks over with a kitten in her hands. “Your mom is so nice, River. And she does so much for all the animals. I can see why she loves it out here.” She doesn’t mention the eye, which I think is really nice of her.
“It is pretty great out here,” I agree, patting the kitten on the head, and then giving Bella a kiss. We spend more time around the property, then head out for lunch before we drive home.
Mom gives Bella a big hug before we leave, and it’s so nice to see them getting along like this. “Come back anytime,” Mom says to her. “I’d love to see you both more. Thank you for coming.”
Bella is happy the whole drive home, and I know it meant a lot to her to meet Mom. I feel like a fucking asshole for not doing it sooner.
We stop by her house to get a few things, then drive back to the clubhouse. My eyes narrow when I see Corey standing out the front, talking to Jag.
“They’re friends,” Bella says, smirking. “She was saying how he fits in here just like family. And he’s a nice guy. Don’t be an asshole to him. You can’t hate every man who looks her way. She’s a beautiful girl.”
“I hope I don’t have any daughters,” I grumble. Because I’m clearly not cut out for letting them go.
“Do you want children? Corey asked me and then I realized that I didn’t know how you felt about it,” she asks.
I put the car in Park and turn to her, softening. “I thought I never wanted children, but to be honest with you, I could definitely see myself having a couple with you. I think you’d be a wonderful mother.”
She smiles and leans over to kiss me. “I think you’d be a badass father. Changing diapers and all.”
