Page 22 of Mac

“Is dinner ready yet?” Gunnar asked, and I found it funny that while I sat here feeling all sorts of emotions about my newfound family, he could only think about food. Seemed about right for a thirteen-year-old boy, and it relaxed me that this was being treated just like any other day. As emotional as this was for me, I was glad no one was making a huge deal over it, or me.

“A few more minutes,” Meredith replied. “Why don’t you guys go set the table?”

They grumbled a response but did as their mom asked.

The five of us enjoyed a dinner of the most delicious roasted chicken I’d ever eaten, along with bacon-wrapped asparagus, and homemade rolls. Everything was perfect.

Throughout dinner, the boys talked about school, sports, video games, and other teenaged boy topics at nonstop speeds. All I could do was listen and laugh at their antics and family stories. Meredith and Viking clearly loved their boys fiercely. It hurt a little that I never got to have that when I was a kid, but I was happy I got to have my own version of it now.

We had just finished the chocolate pie, which Viking thanked me several times for bringing, and moved into the living room for coffee. The boys headed up to their rooms so they could finish their homework and get ready for bed, since it was a school night.

We continued to chat about everything. I learned that the Desert Sinners owned a few local businesses, including an auto repair shop, a bar, and much to my embarrassment, a strip club. All of the members had jobs, most of them at a club-owned business. Even Meredith worked at the auto shop as the office manager.

Viking and Mac had both repeatedly told me they all took care of each other and worked hard to do so. To know they stood by their word with actions was profound to me. They trusted each other and respected each other to handle it. Trust was hard for me, but one of the walls I’d built to protect myself was starting to crack. Iknewin my heart I could trust Viking, and if him, maybe Mac, too. Maybe, eventually, everyone in the club too.

I watched Meredith and my father talk, teasing each other as they told stories. They were affectionate and not afraid of showing it. To think, if we’d known about each other when I was a child… I pushed that aside because it’d do no good. I lived in the here and now, and I felt a sense of warmth and relief in having this second chance.

As the night went on, I could tell Viking wanted to say something but was trying to figure out how to bring it up. I saw him glance at Meredith, who gave him an almost imperceptible nod.

“So, I wanted to be honest with you about a couple of things,” he said, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his thighs, his hands folded clasped together between his knees. “First off, I know where you were living before you moved out here, and who you were living with.”

I tensed, wondering if this was the moment the other shoe dropped. “How…?”

“Background check,” he answered. “It’s standard practice.”

I exhaled, trying to relax. I didn’t know how I felt about it, but I wasn’t surprised. It made sense with their motto of protecting the club. I also knew I hadn’t exactly opened up to Viking in the way he had but I needed more time, and he seemed to be all right with it. For now.

“Okay…I think I understand.”

He watched my face a beat before he said, “Your uncle has a history with the Desert Sinners.”

“What?” I knew Stu had lived in Las Vegas for a while, but I would never have guessed he had any dealings with a motorcycle club. In fact, he talked a lot of shit about people who owned motorcycles and always had something to say when he saw someone who was in a club.

“He actually tried to patch in a long time ago.”

“Patch in?” I questioned.

“Become a member,” Viking explained.

“Anyway, that’s how I met Karen. Whatever your mother thought about me, I don’t doubt your uncle kept you a secret just to spite me,” he growled. It was clear he was angry about being left in the dark. “He knows I wouldn’t have allowed him to have any part in raising you after your mom died.”

I nodded in acknowledgment. Somehow, I knew that was true. Viking was accepting of me now, and I was pretty sure he would have been twenty years ago.

“You said you had a couple of things you needed to be honest about?” I asked.

“I also wanted to let you know that I had a couple of my guys check in on you.”

“Yeah, I figured…Mac stopped in and said hi,” I said lamely, recalling the visit clearly, but Viking frowned. I quickly added, “Anyway, you were saying?”

“Right...anyway,” he resumed. “You know the life I lead, the world we live in, isn’t like what you’re used to.” He stopped, only continuing when I nodded my head in understanding. “We’ve got some shit going on with another club...” I started to interrupt, but he put his hand up to stop me. “Before you even ask, I’m not giving you any details on that. We don’t share club business with our families.”

I was starting to get freaked out. What kind of things were they involved in that their families couldn’t know about? Maybe it’d been a bad idea to come here after all.

As quickly as that thought entered my head, I pushed it away. Even if they did some things I may not agree with, I couldn’t deny that I’d been happier over the last couple of weeks getting to know Viking.

“That said, I don’t like the fact that my daughter is living in a seedy motel, all alone and too far from us.”

“It was all I could afford when I got into town. I’m going to start looking for a new place soon,” I said, trying to reassure him. In fact, I’d already started saving for a deposit on an apartment near the diner and Viking’s home. “I make pretty good tips at the diner, and Pam gives me as many hours as I’m willing to work.”