I didn’t know what I was going to make until I started mixing. At first, I thought pancakes then it hit me. Biscuits and gravy. Not just any form of this but homemade.
Coyote used to tell me when I was learning to cook that I made the best he’d ever eaten. So here I am standing at the stove browning the sausage while the first batch of biscuits are in the oven and the second ready to go in when they’re ready.
“What smells so divine in here?” Rachel asks as she comes in the room carrying Sebastian in her arms and Luca and Corinne toddling behind her holding hands.
It’s funny seeing Rachel and Stoney’s twins together. Luca always has his eyes on his twin as if he didn’t, she might disappear.
Rachel told me one day when I’d been watching them, that he gets mad if you try to move him away from his sister whenever it was nap time, so it was best they stay in the same pack ‘n play. I thought it strange until she explained what happened when they’d been four months old. Luca must still sense the time he’d been separated from Corinne and in his own little way refuses to not be without her.
“Biscuits and gravy,” I state going back to making sure to chop the sausage up fine as it sizzles in its own grease.
“Awesome, normally it’s fend for yourself if Momma B or I aren’t here to cook,” Rachel mutters as she puts Sebastian in a highchair across the room. The twins move to sit at the little Toy Story table near where their mom is standing.
“Oh um, I’m sorry. I hope this is okay, me cooking breakfast. No one was up and I didn’t want to sit in the main room by myself. And all the guys seemed tense and I just figured a nice meal when they got out of church would help ease the tension,” I ramble.
“Cara, anytime you’re here feel free to cook if you want. I’m not going to be against it, especially if it tastes as good as it smells. The guys are going to enjoy it,” Rachel says as she moves to a cabinet and grabs a box of cereal. “Now I know Luca and Corrine are gonna want to eat what your fixing, this one here won’t.” Meaning Sebastian and his picky ways.
“Well, the first batch of biscuits will be ready any minute,” I announce while stepping back in order to open the oven door to check that I was right. Nice golden color. Yep, they’re ready. Grabbing an oven mitt, I reach in and pull the pan out and turn to put it on the island counter.
“Oh, take your time,” Rachel murmurs.
“Okay, it won’t be long before everything is done.” Which I’m right. The biscuits only take seven or so minutes to rise and cook through.
I quickly slide the other batch in and close the oven door. Stepping back in front of the oven I make sure the sausage is done before going about draining the grease. Once I’m done with this task, I go about getting the ingredients for the gravy together. This part, though tricky, is easy long as it’s done properly. Adding pepper in as I stir, I’ve just about got it to its consistency when the kitchen doors open.
“I fuckin’ knew I was smelling that shit soon as the door to church opened. Fuck,” Coyote chuckles as he enters the room.
“What smells so fuckin’ good?” someone says at the same time.
“Fuckheads, watch your mouth,” Stoney grumbles as he walks in behind Coyote and the other guy to see his wife and kids in the room. “Hey, Doll,” he murmurs with a grin in place as he moves in her direction.
“Hey, honey,” she whispers, not really meeting his gaze full on. I’d noticed this but hadn’t said anything. It wasn’t my place to question what was going on with her; however, I knew whatever it was had to be bad.
“Fuckin’ A, biscuits and gravy,” Shadow grunts as he steps into the room. I knew him through is ol’ lady, Luna. She was a teacher at one of the schools. You’d never take her for a teacher with how shy and quiet she is.
“Not just any biscuits and gravy, brother, it’s homemade. Cara don’t go half ass on this shit and it’s the fuckin’ shit.” Coyote says.
“Do you all have to cuss so much around my kids?” Rachel asks as Stoney chuckles and wraps his arm around her waist.
“Sorry, Rach,” several of them mutter at once.
Through the crowd, I spot Nerd pushing his way through. “Can a man get to his fuckin’ woman?” he growls narrowing his gaze on me as if assessing if I’m okay or not.
“Not if this food is as good as it looks. We might have to steal her from you,” the guy with Whip on his cut states.
At this my heart begins to race and I take a step backward.
“Shit,” Nerd mutters as he passes Whip making sure to smack him upside the head.
“Ow, what was that for?” Whip snaps.
“For being a dumbass,” Coyote states speaking for Nerd.
My vision becomes clouded by the time Nerd gets to me. “Easy, babygirl. It’s okay. Take a deep breath and come back to me,” he murmurs, pulling me against his chest.
“Shit, sorry, Cara,” Whip grumbles.
A phone beeps breaking through the heavy silence filling the room. “What the fuck does Fuse want? He never texts me,” Tracker grunts out. “Fuckin’ hell, I’ll be back.”
“You okay, babygirl?” Nerd asks while Tracker leaves the room.
Nodding, I tilt my head up to meet his gaze. “I’m okay,” I whisper.
Before anyone else can say anything Tracker storms back in the room. “Whip, your sister’s name, Brielle?” he asks cautiously.
Turning to look at Whip, I notice his shoulders go straight as he meets Tracker’s gaze. “What about Brielle?” he demands.
“Fuse just informed me, her and her
