I went back to my room to dress in my sweats and hoodie before making my way downstairs with my bag. I had about an hour before my dad showed up with the club van to transport all of us to the airport. The plan was for my parents to take Hunter in to see Axle for his good-byes when they picked up the van. As I made my way into the living room I found that wasn’t the case. When I hit the bottom step I heard his laughter in the kitchen. It seemed everyone was gathered in the kitchen for breakfast. It wasn’t out of the norm but I just wasn’t feeling it. I’d get my coffee and head out on the back deck until everyone was ready to leave. By now I had a banging headache on top of a queasy stomach. Maybe this was just one of my migraines trying to interfere with my travel plans.
I made my way to the coffee pot exchanging pleasantries with everyone in the kitchen before pouring my cup of joe and heading out to sit on the deck. Since a little girl I’ve always enjoyed one season changing into the other. Spring was giving in to Summer and I wanted to soak up as much fresh country air as possible. By night fall the only thing I’d be breathing in would be the smog and salty pacific-ocean air. It might appeal to most but it never really has to me. Don’t get me wrong I loved it out there but I love my home more. Nothing will ever replace Great Falls.
Sitting in the lounger on the back deck I felt his presence before I heard the door shut behind me. He made his way over to one of the lounge chairs to sit down next to me before striking up small talk. I’m sure he was nervous about me taking Hunter and never coming back. I’ll tell him one more time not to worry but that was it. If he couldn’t believe me I wasn’t going to waste my breath anymore trying to get him to.
“You all packed and ready to leave,” Axle asked quietly.
“Yeah, I finished this morning. It wasn’t that much. Just a dress for the shower and a few change of clothes for myself and Hunter. I’m sure he’ll be coming back with a hell of a lot more than what we leave with. Everyone we left behind in Cali hasn’t seen him for a few months. I’m sure they’ll be waiting to spoil him when we get there. No doubt Hunter and Ben will be taking a trip to the nearest Toys ‘R’ Us for the latest video game as soon as we get there,” I answered Axle without turning to look at him.
“I’m sure they’ve all missed him like crazy. I want you all to have a good time while you’re out there. I know that your mom and Momma Bear are excited to see the Pacific Ocean. They’ll send enough pics to have us feeling like we’re all there,” he answered.
“Yeah I’m looking forward to a beach day with all of them. I think Layla was already planning on that for Sunday. Trevor and Hunter will be surfing with Ben,” I told him with a genuine smile when I finally turned to look at him.
“Are you feeling okay. Don’t hate me for saying this babe but you look like shit. You’ve got bags under your eyes and you’re as white as a freaking ghost, Avery. You going to be okay to fly?”
Damn, if Axle was expressing concern I’m sure I must look like hell. He hasn’t said anything to me in months unless it concerns Hunter. To have him letting his asshole guard down I must look near death. “I’m fine. Just have the start of a migraine kicking in. You’ve seen how bad they can get. The last couple of years they’ve dwindled off but when I get one it’s normally a doozy. I’ve got my meds ready. When we get on the plane I’ll take them and hopefully sleep it off between hear and Cali.”
“I don’t like it Avery. If you don’t get any better by the time you land promise me, you’ll go get checked out. I don’t want to see you sick babe,” Axle said with true concern.
“I promise Axle but, don’t worry about me I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself. I’m not yours to worry about anymore remember,” I said for good measure. I don’t know why but his concern was pissing me off. I didn’t need his pity or concern anymore. Even as the thought entered my head I know I was just being bitchy. I needed to apologize but before I could Axle snapped back at me.
“YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY MINE TO WORRY OVER. THAT SHIT HASN’T CHANGED AND NEVER WILL! YOU ARE MINE AND ALWAYS WILL BE,” Axle yelled before going back in the house slamming the back door in the process.
I couldn’t take the time to delve into what he just said. He left me standing on the back deck just as my parents pulled up with my son in the van. “Momma, Momma! Are you’d ready to go? I wanna see my Auntie Layla. She says she misses me like crazy. I don’t wanna drive her crazy momma,” Hunter says before he was even out of the van.
I laughed at my son’s excitement. I know he misses everyone just as much as they miss him. I took his hand to head in the house to round everyone up. I let go of Hunter’s hand so he could say his good-byes to Axle without me interfering. I looked to Trevor who had already collected mine and Hunter’s bag from the living room. He said nothing just gave me a look that he heard what was said outside and we would be discussing it. I know Trev won’t open that can of worms til we were in California. He wouldn’t want to call me out in front of everyone here or on the plane. That at least gave me a few hours to sleep of this god damn raging migraine before being hit with a lecture.
I must not look as bad as Axle made out because no one, not even my father, mentioned anything to me. I actually managed the hour drive, my goodbyes to my father and boarded the plane without really speaking to anyone. Once we had taken off and was given the all clear from the captain I excused myself to the jet’s small bedroom in the back. I planned on taking my meds and sleeping until it was time to land. Little did I know Trevor had his own plan. He followed me to the small room and sat quietly at the edge of the bed while I took my meds.
When I turned to tell him to leave me alone he just raised his hand to me to say his peace. “Look I know you’re not feeling well and if you took what you normally do for your headache I know you’ll be knocked out for a while. I’ll come in to get you when we’re ready to touch down but before I leave you I’ve got to say something. You might not like it but you’re going to listen to me.”
When I didn’t object he continued. “I’ve watched you both for months now girl. I know you’re hurting and putting on a brave face but so is that man of yours. When we get back the two of you need to address the elephant in the room. You’re obviously just as miserable without him as he is without you. It’s time to deal with that shit. He fucked up and so did you. He never gave you the benefit of the doubt that you would be coming back and you never gave him the benefit of letting you go. You we’re both wrong. You love him and he loves you too. It’s time to fix your shit and take your happily ever after back. For the time being get yourself better and spend some time with the family you won’t be seeing nearly as often as before. We’ll have some fun in the sun then when we get back Monday night you’re going to apologize to your man and move past this shit.”
I said nothing as Trevor got up from the bed and headed towards the door. He stopped before he opened the door to say, “I love you, girl and I’ll always be here for you but it’s time to get your head out of your ass and take back what’s yours. Now lay your beautiful little head down and get some sleep. You’ve got about five and a half hours to get rid of that funk before we are thrown into all the baby activities.” Then my best friend disappeared out the door leaving me to crash and sleep away this horrible headache.
We landed in LA around three pm pacific time. The stretched Hummer limo that awaited us had Ember written all over it. She must have planned our ride. I know from lots of conversations over the last few months she was in charge of planning the baby shower. If the music business ever failed, her she would make a killing as a party planner. The driver quickly loaded everyone’s bags in the back of the limo once we were all loaded up. Thank god everything we bought as gifts we just had gift wrapped and delivered to the house. We would have never been able to fit all of us, the bags and the gifts in the limo.
We went a little over board with the shopping. The older women of the club have sort of taking the motherly roll for Layla and Cali once they found out that the girls had no a
ssociation with their mother. The two had a rough life growing up but it wasn’t my story to tell. The reasons why the girls had nothing to do with their drug addict alcoholic mother would never come from me. When Layla and Cali felt comfortable enough I’m sure they would indulge. So other than the few roadies with wives, the girls in the band, Ben’s mother and sister, we were the bulk of the guest. That didn’t mean my girl wasn’t going to have hordes of gifts to open though. She’d be fussing with me for sure when this is all over.
When we arrived at the beach house there was a lot of ooo’s and aaa’s coming from the girls. This was their first look into the rich and famous lifestyle. Once they were in the house they would see that the group might have lots of money but they kept the house very cozy and inviting. In no time at all the girls of the band and all the women with me hit it off. I think it helped because they all knew so much about each other already. Between all the stories I’ve told about the past plus, all the facetiming everyone’s been doing in the last few months everyone just clicked.
We took an easy night in with the feast Ben’s mother, Stephanie, Momma Bear and my mother decided to cook for everyone. We sat for hours around the dining room table eating and sipping good wine before everyone decided to retire to their rooms for the night. Trevor gave up his room to sleep on the couch which had all of us bunking in three rooms while Ben’s mother and sister took the guest house.
When we first landed I thought I was feeling better but after eating dinner tonight I was feeling a little queasy again. I left the girls to get some fresh air. Grabbing a blanket, I walked down to sit on the beach for a while. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn’t hear my mother come down to sit beside me. We sat in silence for a while before my mother spoke. “I know it hurt to be away from us but, I must say you found some pretty great people to build a life around. I can see the love you’ll share and the support they give you. It’s almost like the family you have at home. Just know that any decision you make, dad and I will support you. I want you close to us but, I’ll respect your choice either way baby girl.”
I wrapped my arms around my mother and pulled her in for a hug. “I love you, mom. Thank you for understanding and believe me when I say you have nothing to worry about. I plan on staying in Great Falls and commuting when needed. I don’t think the band will have a problem with it. If they do I’m prepared to give it all up. The last few months of being surrounded by everyone again has opened my eyes to what I’ve been missing.”
“Oh goodness gracious, you have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that. I know I just met these gals but, I’m sure they’ll be okay with you and my adopted son hanging back in South Carolina. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them visit with us regularly,” my mom added. I knew she thought of Trevor like a son but she never really said anything. The fact that Trevor would have a place in our family warmed my heart. I loved his mom and would always be grateful to the woman for what she did for Hunter and myself but, I will never forgive her for turning her back on Trevor when he finally came out to her. I hold on to hope that one day she’ll try to make it up to him. I know it bothers him even if he won’t act like it.
“So you ready to take on me, Hunter and Trevor full time momma? You sure you can handle of us along with daddy, Hyde and the club,” I asked my mother with a big ass grin on my face?
“Damn straight I can! I just want you to make sure this is what you want to do for you, not everyone else. If you’re doing this for you then I think it’s time for you to tell Axle how you feel.”
“I will momma as soon as I get home. I’m not sure what will come of it but I’m ready to put myself out there. We’ve gotta reach some common ground even if it’s not with us together. Hunter needs both of us and doesn’t need to see us avoiding each other like the plague,” I confided in my mother.
“I grabbed this on my way out here,” my mother said handing me my phone. “I know it’s late back home but from what I hear he’s been sleeping about as good as you have. I have a feeling it’ll do him some good to hear your voice. The whole house heard what he said to you before we left. He’s hurting baby, put him out of his misery.”
With that said my mother left me with my phone and headed back towards the house. I contemplated calling Axle but choose the cowardly way out and text him.
Me: You up
I figured that would be the end of it but to my surprised I instantly got a message back.
Axle: Yep, you good?
Me: I’m good couldn’t sleep
Axle: You still feeling bad
Me: Little bit but seems to be passing
Axle: I’m calling now
Instantly, my phone starting ringing in my hand. I let it ring a few times before I answered trying to get myself together for what was doomed to be an awkward conversation. “Hello,” I finally answered.
“I was about to hang up babe. I was beginning to think you didn’t really want to talk to me,” Axle said in the other end of the phone.
“I honestly wasn’t sure. I’m not sure what to say or where to go from here. We’ve both been so distant the last two months. I just wanted to let you know whether or not we fix this thing between us, Hunter and I will be staying in Great Falls permanently. I wanted to talk to Carrin before saying anything. I’m hoping she will be alright with us staying at the house for a little bit longer. I’m not sure how long it will take for me to find somewhere nice for Hunter and I to live,” I said truthfully.
“I’m sure she won’t have any issues with you both staying there for as long as you need. That house is for all family babe. You and Hunter are just as much family as anyone else,” Axle said before going quiet. I wasn’t sure what to say myself. Axle startled me when he broke the silence. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear you’ll be hanging around. As for us, we’ve got some talking that’s long overdue babe. Just know that I love you, forever and always.”
“I love you too Braxton. I promise we’ll talk as soon as I get back. Maybe I can talk you into taking a little ride away from everyone. I’m not sure we need anyone eavesdropping or putting their opinions in on the matter,” I said feeling like I said too much. I quickly changed the subject. “I should go check on Hunter. I left everyone inside while I came out to the beach to clear my head.”
“I’ll let you go baby. Goodnight love. I’ll see you soon,” Axle said before hanging up. I sat in the sand for a few minutes listening to the ocean when thoughts of a possible future with Axle flooded my brain. Visions of a black haired blue eyed little girl asleep on her father’s chest had me wishing for what could be. At first the thought brought a genuine smile to my face before it was quickly over taken with fear.
I started flipping through my calendar in my phone. I needed to see what day it was. I know I was roughly two weeks overdue for my shot but I had only had sex one time or should I say multiple times one night two months ago. Surely my shot was still effective then. There’s no way my symptoms would be caused by pregnancy. I went over the dates just to make sure. Everything lined up just like I had originally thought. No way could I be pregnant I told myself. Even still I couldn’t get the thought out of my mind. Monday couldn’t get here soon enough. I’d have the doctor due a test just to be on the safe side. Until then I’d get a good night’s sleep and keep my fears to myself.
I woke fresh the next day feeling much better physically and emotional then I had in a while, even though I didn’t get to sleep as long as I would hope. Ember had me, along with everyone else, up early to help set up the back deck for Layla’s baby shower. We had about five hours to pull it all together before the rest of the guest would be arriving this afternoon. With the supervision of a very pregnant Layla, Ben and Trevor took Hunter and Tivie to spend the day down that water. Periodically Carrin or myself would get a cute picture of the kids collecting sea shells, surfing or just playing in the sand.
We took shifts rotating out to get ourselves ready for the party. By the time the clock neared one E
mber and me were the only two left to shower. The three eldest women took over direction of the caterers so Ember and myself could slip away to get ready.
When I returned downstairs some of the roadies and their wives were beginning to arrive. The deck was filling up fast with guest and soon after the party kicked into high gear. Ember was in the middle of the second game when the doorbell rang. That’s odd as it seemed everyone who was invited was already here. I saw Ben slip away to answer the door only to return with a beautiful flower arrangement done up with pink and blue flowers topped with balloons. I watched as Ben carefully knelt down beside his wife as she pulled the card from the flowers. Ember stopped the game and quieted everyone down for Layla to read the card out loud to everyone.
Sorry we all couldn’t join you today but someone had to stay behind and keep the guys in line. Know that we are thinking of you and can’t wait to meet the little rock star.
Love,
Vivie, Queenie and Marley
Oh my that was so sweet of them. Sweet enough to bring tears to an overly emotional Layla. It warmed my heart that the three ladies who stayed behind would do such a thing. That little gesture helped ease my mind of the decision I had already made. With the help of both of my families I could definitely make this work.
The rest of the day went on with no more distractions. We all talked in between games and Layla opened the loads of gifts she was given. It was a great day spent with most of the people I cared about. I sat back and watched my club family mingling with my band family. I was deep in my thoughts I didn’t realize my pregnant friend had taken the seat next to me. When she nudged my arm to get my attention I swear I jumped ten feet in the air causing her to laugh hysterically.
“Easy girl. Where’s the fire,” Layla asked between laughs.
Coming Home: Dominant Devils Book 2 Page 23
