Cal (The Ride Series Book 5)

by O'Brien,Megan

  No one had asked me outright and I was surprised by how easy the answer was. “That’s the plan. It feels like home.”

  “I’m really fucking glad to hear that, babe. How’re you doing since your gran passed?”

  “As good as I can be, I guess.” I sighed. “She wouldn’t have wanted me to mourn her. I can’t help that, but I can try my best to honor the way she lived.”

  He nodded, his hands clasped on top of the table. “Have you been able to check in on the kids?”

  I grimaced. “Janelle’s brushing me off. Then again, when I think about it she always has. Even when we were young.”

  “I’m sure if you keep trying, you’ll get through.”

  “I’m not so sure.” I shook my head. “I feel like I’ve spent my whole life trying.”

  “Being the kind of person you are, I’d imagine that’s hard for you,” he deduced.

  My brow wrinkled. “What kind of person I am?”

  “A caretaker. Nurturing. I’m sure it’s no accident you landed on being a nurse for a living.”

  I shrugged, taking a bite of my food. “It’s what I enjoy.”

  “Well, then it’s good you’re doing it.” He smiled. “When do you plan on getting back to work?”

  “Soon,” I replied. “I’ll be glad to get back, but I worry about another adjustment for Mason. I’ve been able to spend so much time with him. Being back in day care will be yet another change.”

  He shrugged. “Kids are adaptable. He’ll be fine. He’s not the one who can’t sleep,” he pointed out.

  “True,” I agreed quietly.

  We dug into our food as a comfortable silence stretched between us.

  “That was delicious.” I sighed in contentment, pushing my plate back.

  “Glad you liked it.” He nodded as he threw some bills on the table. “I’ll bring you back anytime you want to come.”

  His reference to the future had my heart galloping in my chest.

  He looked at me thoughtfully. “You tired?”

  “A little,” I admitted. I’d only managed a few hours of sleep the night before. “But I’m not ready for bed yet.”

  The truth was, I wanted to spend more time with him.

  I didn’t imagine the heat that suddenly smoldered in his eyes. He stood, took my hand, and led me from the romantic restaurant into the night beyond.

  Chapter 11

  We rode back toward Hawthorne, stopping in front of a bar I’d driven by often but had never been inside.

  “Isn’t this one of your bars?” I asked as I unclipped my helmet. The Knights owned several businesses in Hawthorne.

  “Not my bar, babe. It’s the club’s,” he answered patiently, taking my hand and leading me inside.

  He may have thought of it that way but the stares we received when we walked in made it clear who owned the place.

  Every eye in the dimly lit space turned to us. I dipped my head, embarrassed by the attention. Mack, Ettie’s husband, stood slinging drinks behind the bar and offered a chin lift in our direction as we drew closer.

  Cal was something of a celebrity in Hawthorne. Everyone knew who he was. There was often chatter about him in the hospital, whether it was the nurses tittering over his good looks or people talking about how intimidating he was. He was frequent fodder for conversation.

  With my hand held in his, I felt as though he was making some kind of statement by bringing me here. Was this part of the claiming all the girls talked about? Did I want that?

  The fluttering of my heart and clench in my lower belly said I did.

  He made some sort of hand signal to Mack and was soon handed two beers. He handed one to me and pulled me toward an occupied table. One look from him and the two men who’d been sitting there got up abruptly to offer their seats.

  Couples danced close on the makeshift dance floor to the classic country music that piped through the speakers.

  Cal dropped our beers on our recently claimed table and led me to the dance floor.

  “What are you doing?” I squeaked as he pulled me flush against his body, one hand holding mine while the other pressed firmly to my lower back.

  “What does it look like?” he asked in an amused tone, his lips at my ear.

  “Everyone is staring at us,” I protested nervously, my gaze darting around the bar where there were in fact several sets of eyes watching us in surprise. There were two women in particular at the bar delivering such hostile glares that if looks could kill I’d be dead on the spot.

  I felt him shrug. “Let them stare.” He led our bodies in a slow sway.

  I looked up at him. “Is it so rare to see you with a woman?”

  Before they’d committed to their women, I’d heard many of the Knights had reputations for having their fair share of bed partners. Cal, on the other hand, was somewhat of a mystery.

  He pulled away slightly in order to look down at me. “I don’t bring women around. They’re surprised is all,” he explained.

  “But I’m here,” I replied in confusion.

  He stared at me intently, his gaze saying more than words could. “Yeah, darlin’. You are.”

  After a moment I pressed my cheek to his firm chest, giving in to the moment. His body felt so strong and warm underneath mine. We danced for several songs. I was surprised that the music remained slow. Then I thought about Cal’s influence and figured that likely wasn’t a coincidence.

  “I need to use the restroom,” I told him when we’d returned to our table.

  He nodded toward the back of the bar. “Down the hall to your right. I’ll get you another beer,” he added.

  I nodded in thanks and headed off in the direction he’d gestured toward.

  I was getting ready to flush when I heard the door open, followed by two female voices.

  “Can you believe it?” one of them demanded incredulously. “He’s never brought a woman around and it’s her?” she demanded in disgust.

  My eyes popped wide. They were talking about me. I inwardly groaned. I had two options. I could go out and confront them or remain out of sight. I chose the latter. I wasn’t feeling particularly brave at the moment.

  “I don’t get it,” the other woman agreed. “Shit, the man is sex on a stick. I’ve been after him for years. He ignores me but goes for her? She’s not even that hot,” she scoffed.

  “Maybe it’s the whole ethnic thing,” the other girl added helpfully.

  Ethnic thing?

  “Whatever, I’m sure it’s a phase. The good news is that maybe when he’s tired of her he’ll finally give me a taste. I’ve wanted him for so long.” The longing in her voice sent an unfamiliar shot of jealousy through my system.

  “All right, I’m good. Let’s go get someone to buy us another round,” the other one suggested, after they’d finished what I assumed was retouching their makeup.

  The sound of their chattering became distant as the door opened and shut behind them. I wilted in relief that they hadn’t seen me. I quickly finished up, ready to head back to Cal’s, away from the bar and the scrutiny of Hawthorne.

  When I reentered the bar area I came to an abrupt halt at finding a brunette leaning seductively over our table, talking to Cal.

  What the hell? Had he brought me to the Cal groupie bar on purpose?

  There was no way I was going over there. My eyes swung to the bar where the two blondes I assumed I’d just overheard in the bathroom stood searching for their next prey. Their eyes immediately snapped over to me. They were gorgeous and, by the looks of it, barely old enough to be in the bar.

  I couldn’t stand it a second longer, I needed air. Without another thought, I headed for the door and stepped out into the parking lot.

  It was a gorgeous, clear night and the stars twinkled brightly overhead as I took a few deep breaths.

  Did I really have any business starting something with a man like Cal? I was still fragile from my past with Tim. I still had to rebuild my confidence. Dating a man who had women
half his age salivating over him wasn’t a great place to start.

  The door swung open behind me, interrupting my inner freak-out. I didn’t turn around—I knew who it was.

  “What are you doing out here, babe?”

  “I’d like to leave now,” I murmured as I felt him move in close behind me.

  He grabbed my arm, his grip gentle but firm as he spun me to face him. “What happened? Did someone say something to you?” he growled. “Look at me, Jill,” he demanded when my gaze drifted to the side. “Nobody fucks with you,” he continued, his eyes blazing with intensity.

  “Trust me, none of the energy in that bar was going toward fucking me,” I muttered.

  The confused look on his face might have been cute had I not been so out of sorts. “What are you talkin’ about?”

  “Why’d you bring me here, Cal? You had to know your fan club hangs out here,” I demanded.

  His brow lifted incredulously. “My fan club?” He barked out a laugh.

  I narrowed my eyes, frustrated. “I’m not interested in competing, Cal. Maybe this was a bad idea.” I bit my lip.

  He moved in so close that his body was flush with mine. He tipped my chin up. “There is no competition, Jill,” he rasped. “Even if there was, you already won without even tryin’. Now, I don’t know what happened in there, but I can guarantee that this”—his hand moved to grip my ass, pulling me closer—“is a very good idea.”

  I couldn’t contain the whoosh of breath that escaped me or the pounding of my heart his touch and words incited.

  “It’s a small town, baby,” he continued, telling me something I was already all too aware of. “Maybe some women will get their panties in a bunch that I overlooked them. Might take folks a little while to get used to me having a woman in my life, but they’ll get over it.” He shrugged before his expression turned severe. “And if they don’t, they answer to me.”

  He released his hold only slightly, his hands moving to cup my face. “Maybe part of me wanted to make a statement by bringing you here tonight,” he acknowledged. “To say you’re mine. To show you off, since you’re so goddamn gorgeous. But more than anything I just wanted an excuse to hold you close on the dance floor.” He grinned.

  I blushed.

  “I’ll take you home if you want—to my place, I mean,” he amended. “Or we could say fuck ’em and go finish our beers. What do you say?”

  I thought about that for a minute. I knew I was being ridiculous, allowing some young, jealous women to affect my mood. It wasn’t unlike my reaction to Tim, in a strange way. I couldn’t control other people but I could control my reaction. This was the best date I’d ever had and I wasn’t about to be the one to ruin it.

  I offered a hesitant smile. “Fuck ’em,” I agreed.

  He grinned, wrapping a muscled arm around me and leading me back inside. “That’s my girl.”

  We drank, we danced, I caught up with Mack, and Sal when he stopped by. I began to feel part of the club in the way I never had before. Cal’s eyes swept the room regularly, on the hunt for whatever had upset me earlier. Truth be told, I still got a few glares but I met them all with a smile.

  “Ready to head home?” he asked when it neared last call.

  It was late and I was dead on my feet. I’d also had the time of my life with him. I nodded.

  My heart rate spiked the closer we got to Cal’s place. Would he kiss me good night? Would he try for more?

  When we walked into the dark house, he flicked the lights on. I set my purse on the couch and wondered what the hell to do with myself.

  “You go on and get into bed, babe,” he said, surprising me by looking like he was getting ready to leave.

  My brow pinched. “Where are you going?”

  “Gonna go get Bubs,” he replied. “It doesn’t feel right, not having him with us.”

  Oh my God.

  I bit my lip, moved beyond speech at his words.

  He stepped into my space, his hand cupping my jaw tenderly. “Be back, baby. Get some sleep, yeah? Set the alarm when I leave.”

  He delivered another soft kiss on my lips and with that, was gone.

  How the hell was I supposed to sleep after that?

  Chapter 12

  When my phone began to vibrate against my nightstand early that morning, I made a quick lunge for it, seeing Scarlet’s name flash on the screen. “Scar?”

  “It’s Cole,” his deep voice responded. “She’s in labor.”

  I sat up, all thought of sleep forgotten. “How far apart are her contractions?”

  “Six minutes. She says it’s coming on a lot faster than it did with Grace. She’s early, Jill.” I could hear the catch in his voice.

  He was worried.

  “Faster progression is typical with the second one. She’s strong, Cole. The baby looked great during the last checkup. She’ll be fine. The baby will be fine,” I reassured him, knowing how overprotective and prone to worry he was. “You guys headed in?”

  “Yep, Kat just got here to pick up Gracie.”

  “I’m leaving now,” I assured him. I hung up and rushed around, pulling on my scrubs. I tapped on Cal’s door moments later.

  He surprised me by opening the door rather than answering me. He stood in nothing but boxers, sleep evident on his handsome face. “What’s wrong?” he demanded.

  “Scar’s in labor. I’ve got to go. Can you stay with Bubs?”

  He nodded, his face tense. “She’s early.”

  I reached out and grasped his hand briefly. “She’s only a few weeks early. I see it all the time. It’ll be okay,” I assured him in a similar way I had his son. “I’ll bring your grandbaby safely into the world.” I rose up on my toes and for the first time was the one who kissed him.

  The fact that Cal had grandchildren was hard to grasp. He was still so young himself, and so goddamn fit and handsome.

  “Drive safe, baby. Call me as soon as you can.”

  “I will,” I promised.

  The streets of Hawthorne were quiet as I made the short drive to the hospital. The heat of the day clung stubbornly to the night air as I hustled into the hospital, which at times felt like a home away from home.

  I waved to my fellow nurses as I strode purposefully down the quiet corridor.

  Cole was standing at the bedside of a very flushed Scarlet when I walked in. Dr. Green, Scarlet’s doctor, was in the midst of checking her. Cole stroked a large hand over Scar’s forehead, his expression tight with worry as she gritted her teeth in obvious pain.

  “She’s already at nine centimeters,” Dr. Green informed me over her shoulder. “At this pace of labor we don’t have time for an epidural.”

  I kept my expression purposefully blank, not wanting Scarlet to panic. I sure as hell would have. “Your little one is eager to meet his parents.” I smiled down at my friend.

  “No epidural?” Scar gasped, looking up at Cole and then me with wide, panicked eyes.

  I looked at Cole. There was a lot I could do for her as both a nurse and a friend. This just seemed like a moment for him.

  Obviously he agreed.

  He stooped low, pressing his forehead to hers, any trace of fear erased from his expression and replaced with pure focus and adoration. “Baby, you know I’d take any pain from you I could. Kills me to see you go through this and not be able to do a damn thing about it. But it’s up to you to bring our baby boy into the world. You’re almost there—just a little bit more. You can do this, baby. You can do anything.”

  I watched as Scarlet visibly gathered herself, took a deep breath, and nodded once.

  “My strong fucking girl,” Cole’s deep voice marveled as he rose to his full height and clasped her hand in his.

  Scarlet was a force to be reckoned with after that. Not one complaint left her lips as she endured the rest of her labor with me and her husband by her side.

  When Tatum Knight Jackson met the world it was with one of the loudest wails I’d ever heard from a newborn.r />
  “He’s beautiful,” I rasped as Tatum was placed on Scarlet’s bare chest. “And strong as hell.” I grinned at Cole.

  They’d probably keep him in the NICU for observation to be safe, but I had a feeling he’d be going home soon.

  I looked up and saw the emotion on Cole’s face and knew I needed to give them some time. “I’ll go grab a cup of coffee, give you guys a minute. I’ll be back,” I murmured, clasping Scarlet’s hand briefly before I left the room.

  I sagged against the hallway wall, feeling the adrenaline from the delivery leave me with a forceful rush. My lack of sleep was made evident by how quickly my exhaustion set in.

  I pulled out my phone, not surprised to find multiple texts from the girls wondering how things were going, plus a missed call from Cal.

  I sent a group text telling everyone that baby Tatum had arrived and that mom and baby were doing great before heading to the cafeteria to get that all-too-familiar burned coffee.

  I hadn’t finished my cup before the waiting room was filled to the brim with the Knights and their women. It was how the club rolled: together. They all greeted me with hugs and gratitude.

  I looked around, realizing with a jolt of clarity that I belonged with these people. They were my family. I’d helped bring their children into the world, healed their wounds, and they would do the same for me.

  When Cal walked in holding Mason, my heart gave a little lurch in response. “Everything’s fine,” I assured him, immediately reaching for my boy. “He let out the loudest wail when he was born, he’s a strong boy,” I told him with a smile.

  Cal nodded, running a hand over my head. “I’m gonna go see them. Wait for me. I don’t want you driving. You’re too exhausted.”

  I nodded, for once accepting the help without comment. I was something past exhausted.

  Cal returned not long after, a look of contentment on his gorgeous face. He took Mason from me in a move increasingly natural between us. We walked out of the hospital hand in hand.

  I was so tired and Cal was so thrilled at meeting his grandchild that I shrugged off the tingle at the back of my neck that made me feel as though we were being watched.