Page 22 of Kiwi

8

Piper

It's late afternoon, and instead of heading home for the day after leaving the clinic, I decided to swing by the clubhouse and hang with my dad, Uncle Abel, and the rest of the guys. Promise is in court, so that means Jaxson is here with dad and currently playing with Payton and Josie out back. Payton and Josie have been with the club for as long as I can remember, but the truth is, I don't see them as club girls; they are family. Josie and Payton have been like sisters to me. I'm not naive; I know what they are to the men in the club, but since the guys have started settling down with women and families of their own, Payton and Josie's positions with the club have changed. They are simply a part of the family.

"Your dad tells me you're workin' at the clinic with Dr. Channing again this summer. I figured you'd want to take a break and chill while you're home," Uncle Abel says, sitting across from me with his feet kicked up on the coffee table. Uncle Malik is sitting at the bar with Tequila, and Fender is kicked back on the sofa with my dad. I look at Uncle Abel and shrug. "It doesn't really feel like work when you're doing something you love."

"Shit," Uncle Malik shakes his head. "When the hell did you grow up? Most kids your age are off partying it up at the beach and gettin' lit with their friends. Fuck, that's what I'd be doin'."

"Don't fuckin' encourage her, asshole," dad flicks his bottle cap across the room, hitting Uncle Malik in the chest, and I chuckle. That's also the same time the door to the clubhouse opens, and Tai strolls in. I have been avoiding him since I fled his house the other day. I was done hearing his I want you but can't have you speech. Looking up, I take in his black t-shirt stretched tight across his broad chest, and the way his faded blue jeans sit low on his waist and hug his ass in the most drool-worthy way. Stop it, Piper. Get a grip.

Tearing my eyes away from Tai, I pretend to be engrossed with the movie playing on the muted tv screen while listening to the conversation between him and the guys.

"I thought you were supposed to meet with the realtor this afternoon," Uncle Abel asks Tai.

"I'm meetin' with her in an hour to go over some extra paperwork and tie up some loose ends that were holdin' us up with the previous owner. I saw the bikes out front and figured I'd come to have a beer before I do. What was you all goin' on about when I came in?" Tai takes a seat at the bar beside Tequila, who answers his question. "Not much, just kickin' it with Piper. What about you? I hear congratulations are in order. The club is opening another Kings Custom, and Jake has asked you to head it up."

"I'm fuckin' stoked for you, brother," Fender adds.

Over the next several minutes, the guys sit around and discuss all the details about opening the garage. And while they are going on about that, my phone chimes with an incoming text.

Colton:Hi.

Me: Hey.

Colton:I heard you were home for the summer.

Me:How did you hear that?

Colton was my high school boyfriend. We dated for about a year but ended things after graduation. He knew he was going off to college in Florida, and neither of us wanted to attempt a long-distance relationship. Besides, I was never as serious about Colton as he was about me. Sure, he's great looking and treated me well, but our relationship had lacked something. There were no butterflies, no spark.

Colton:I'd like to see you. How about dinner?

I ponder his invitation for a moment then decide what the hell. It would be nice to catch up.

Me:Sure, dinner sounds fun. When?

Colton:How about Leon's in an hour?

Me:Perfect. I'll see you there in an hour.

Colton:Great! Can't wait to see you.

I smileand tuck my phone away in my purse. When I look up, my dad's eyes are on me. "Everything okay, Bean?"

"Yeah. That was Colton. He heard I was home for the summer and asked if I wanted to have dinner with him."

"For what? Please don't tell me that little prick wants you back."

I roll my eyes. "Colton is not a prick. And no, we are not getting back together. He goes to school in Florida now. He just wants to catch up."

"Catch up my arse," Tai mutters underneath his breath, but I pretend I didn't hear him.

"I met the guy a couple of times," Tequila jumps in to defend. "And he seemed pretty cool. Does he still play baseball?" she asks.

"Yeah, he got a full-ride playing for Florida."

"I don't care how nice or how talented the kid is, nobody is good enough for my baby girl," dad declares vehemently.