“Not gonna make any promises, man.” Cowboy tells him, and I don’t say a thing.
We get to the main level, right where the bar is and walk into the bar area. Almost everyone communes here. It kinda works as our main living area too, like the other clubs that aren’t in the middle of urban areas.
Much to my surprise, Horse and Stoney are at the bar, sipping on coffee. Faith is serving them with her fake smile plastered on her face. She’s probably so confused, not sure whether to be nice or be leery of them.
“Happy Birthday, kiddo!” Faith comes out from around the bar and gives Destiny the biggest hug, and man, the smile on my little girl’s face makes me forget about everything else going on right now. It just fades into the background.
“Daddy’s taking me to the kill shelter so we can get a kitty before it’s evicted!” Destiny tells everyone loudly, getting a couple of chuckles from some of the guys. Everyone knows she doesn’t have a clue what it means, but that’s the cuteness about it, that she’s doing a good task without even realizing it.
“Mug, you and Iris are gonna go with Cowboy and Destiny to the shelter a few blocks away. I have to get ready for her party tonight. Remember everyone, it starts at three. It doesn’t start at four, or five. Three o’clock sharp. Be there, or I’ll bust up all your asses. Have anything to add, baby girl?” I glance down to Destiny.
“Yeah, bring presents!”
Again, the entire group laughs. I look over to Stoney and Horse, seeing them both wearing smiles from the interaction Destiny just had with the club.
Nikki and Devi said they’d head with me to the party store, so I’ll chase them down in a few minutes so we can get a move on the long list of things we need to do today. But first I want to talk to these two guys. I’m in a great mood, and as long as Stoney isn’t being a royal dick this conversation should go okay.
I’m gonna try damn hard to be the bigger person right now.
“Morning,” I say to them both.
“Mornin’,” Stoney mutters, still seeming a bit off.
“Morning, Boss.”
“You two are more than welcome to come to her party this afternoon. It’ll be on the rooftop. I have some inflatable jumpy things coming and whatnot. There will be lots of toddlers, so fair warning.”
“Thank you. I think we’d both like that very much. She’s a damn sweet kid.” Horse says with a smirk, “Has everyone twisted around her finger, obviously.”
I let out a giggle, “Oh yeah. Sometimes I think she’s the real Prez around here.”
“Tala,” Stoney speaks up, clearing his throat for a moment before continuing. “Look, I’m really sorry for how shit happened last night. I didn’t mean to break that dove. I mean, I did, but, if I’d known it was something you did with Rage before he died, I wouldn’t have—”
I’m not the type who normally interrupts people, but I don’t wanna start crying about the dove again. “Stoney, it’s in the past. Lets just . . . leave the dove situation where it is. Otherwise I’ll get all teary eyed again.”
He nods in agreement, “Fine. I’ll let it be.”
“If you’re okay with talking like this now, can I say a few things?” I question, looking right at Stoney. I don’t really care that Horse is privy to everything. I’m sure Stoney would end up telling Horse everything anyway.
Stoney nods, “Yeah.”
“At the end of the day, I’m the person in the wrong. I could’ve told you about her, and I should’ve done that. There’s no denying it, but I would like to explain why I didn’t, if you’re open to hearing it.”
“I mean, it’s an excuse regardless, but go on.” Stoney grumbles, seeming a bit aggravated.
“She’s all I have, Stoney. When I found out I was pregnant, for the first time since my dad died, I didn’t feel alone. Sure, I have my half-brother, but Joker is a joke. He fucking hates me, and I think he will until the end of time. She’s the only blood I have left on this planet, and the thought of you telling me to abort or—”
“I would’ve never told you to abort. It’s not my place to rule over your body, Tala. It would’ve been your decision, but I gotta admit, I’m damn glad you didn’t. She’s a precious little girl. She obviously didn’t learn shit from you.”
I roll my eyes at his slight jab. “I got really lucky with her and I know it. My point is, I couldn’t bear the idea of you taking her from me, or demanding I come down to Virginia and shack up with you. I know you, Stoney. I know you’d try to do right by her, ‘cause let’s be honest, I’m not . . . no offense Horse, but I’m not like your momma.”
Horse holds up his hands, “Hey, no offense taken.” Horse’s mom was the worst kind of deadbeat. Stoney couldn’t rely on her for shit.
“You can try to deny it, but I know that’s what you would’ve done.” I tell Stoney, and he nods.
“Yeah, I would’ve. We coulda made one damn strong alliance, with a kid, marriage, and all.”
“Don’t we already have one? Minus the marriage, obviously.”
Stoney nods. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Destiny is living proof you and I can stop being so damn stubborn and make some things work. I just . . . I hope you won’t try to take her away from me. She’s my entire fuckin’ world, Stoney. I can’t lose her, and I won’t lose her. I hope you’ll respect that decision, but I’m not going to stand by and let you rip her from my life. I’m not Horse’s deadbeat momma. I’m more than capable of taking care of our daughter.”
Stoney cocks a brow, “Tell me again why she calls Cowboy her daddy?”
I crane my neck to the side a
