18. Earl

Chapter eighteen

Earl

I t's been two days and Mel still hasn't contacted me. As much as it's killing me, I'm trying to give her some space. I know she didn't run; the Pillsbury dough boy would've told me. We've come to an agreement after our night of drinking. It's all about Mel. For her, we can learn to get along and become maybe not best friends, but friends. We have to if we both plan to be with her.

He sent a message to gloat about his night with Melissa and the fact that he had a hard conversation with her about how she needs to forgive me, just like I did her. I had to give him props for that. I don't think I could've been as big a man as him if I was in his position.

What I didn't want was the picture he sent of a very naked Melissa curled up next to him while he smirked into the phone like a prick. Instead of deleting it, I cropped the fucker out. If she never forgives me, at least I'll have that picture to jerk off to every night. If I can't have Mel, I'll die a monk, because there's no other woman I want to sink my dick into.

Ryker: Still plan to watch Jacey?

Ryker: Just need to know so Ash can pump some more milk.

Ryker: Or we can just stay home. A weekend is a long time to be away from him.

Me: Yes, make sure she pumps extra.

Me: If I run out of milk I know how to reach you. The five of you aren't goin' to be that far away.

Me: FUCK YES YOU'RE GOIN'!!!!

If those fuckers think they're gonna get out of making me another grandbaby, they are dead wrong. The best things I've got going for me right now are my daughter and that little boy who stole my heart from the moment I found out about him.

Me: I'll be there in an hour. Y'all can fuckin' leave early.

I leave my office at the clubhouse and head straight to my room. It used to be barren, barely a trace of the real me in it, until Ash came along. Now my walls are adorned with pictures of her and Jacey. My favorite image, though, is one taken about three weeks ago of Ashlynn, holding Jacey on our sweet angels bench at the lake. Every day, I wish I could go back and kill every one of the fuckers who hurt my daughter all over again.

I squat down and reach under my bed, pulling out a duffel bag and throw some clothes in it, then look around, checking to see if there's anything else I need to bring. It's only two nights. I plan to sleep in my boxers and then I just need a couple pairs of pants and shirts. No, I take that back, a few shirts; my grandson can projectile spit up like no other.

I sling the bag over my shoulder and pick up my truck keys off my dresser. I barely make it out of the clubhouse before I hear Bash's deep voice.

"Hey Earl. Hold up."

I stop in my tracks, turning in his direction and wait for him to come over.

"What'cha need, Bash? I'm on my way to Ashlynn's house to watch Jacey."

"Just wanted to let you know I got the information on that number that was calling. Harley Daniels." He holds out a piece of paper to me. "I'm sure Melissa has the number already, but this is his address. I think it's time the two of you make a trip so she can meet her son."

I reach out, taking it from him. "Thanks. Anything shady I should know about? Any ulterior motives he may have? I know it's her kid, but if he's out to scam her, then I'd rather know up front."

"Nope, he's clean. Graduated from college, and he's a counselor for children from abusive homes. He seems to have his life all together. Adopted father died when he was fifteen from cancer and his adopted mother had an aneurysm and passed away two years ago. Truly looks like he's just lookin' for his biological parents. I'm not sure how he found Mel, but he did." Bash gives me a nod, then steps around me, heading out the door, leaving me to decide what to do with this new information.

I know I need to tell her, but she isn't even fucking talking to me, so how am I supposed to do it? Just shoot her a text saying, oh by the way, your boy seems legit. Maybe you should give him a ring.

I run my fingers through my hair, giving the ends a harsh tug, then turn and leave. I need my grandson to mellow my mood. Since drinking is out of the question, I'll take some Jacey cuddles. Fuck, I'd take them over alcohol any day.

I nod to the brothers in the yard who call out to me as I head to my truck. This weekend, unless there's a murder, it's up to Sam to handle anything club related. The brothers all know he's the first point of contact until Monday morning. If I need to be involved, then he'll be the one to do it.

It doesn't take long to get from the clubhouse to Ashlynn's, even with the detour past Melissa's house and the diner. My heart deflated when I didn't see her car at either place, knowing she had to be with Jax. I'm jealous of the motherfucker. But I can be patient. She'll be mine too.

Pulling into Ashlynn's yard, my anxiety about Mel begins to fade, overshadowed by the joy of spending the weekend with my grandson. I grab my bag from the passenger seat, opening my door and getting out of the truck. I can hear Mack's boisterous laugh echoing out of the house as I step onto the porch. As much as I just want to walk in, I ring the bell. I made the mistake of not doing that once and saw them doing things to my daughter I wished I could bleach from my mind. My skin crawls just thinking about it.

"Prez, why you ringin' the bell?" Mack asks as he opens the door, a shit ass grin on his face that I want to rip off.

"Smartass, you know why I am. Now where's my grandbaby, so y'all can get the fuck out of here?" I step past him into the house, dropping my bag on the floor by the door.

Ryker comes bounding down the stairs, a smile on his face, and Ash follows behind him, a small bundle of joy nestled in her arms. My grandson.

"Give me my baby," I announce loudly.

"Umm, I believe he's my baby, Daddy. I was the one who went through labor." Ashlynn laughs as she steps up to me, kissing my cheek, then hands over Jacey. I swear he smiles when he sees my face, even though Sam would argue it was gas. We all know I'm going to be his favorite grandpa.

"And thank you for that. Hopefully, you come back carrying the princess of the Hellions." I smile as Jacey grips my finger, pulling it toward his mouth.

"I thought that's who I was." She pokes out her bottom lip, sassing me.

"You are, and one day you'll be queen. But that doesn't mean we can't have more than one. Now, when is the next time I need to feed Jacey?" I place him over my shoulder, patting his little bottom as he coos.

"He should be good for another couple hours. I've got the freezer stocked. There's a baggie with milk cubes. One cube is an ounce of milk and he's eating about three ounces every three hours. He has a bit of a rash and I have the cream on his changing table…" She rambles and I can see she's nervous. This will be the first time she'll be gone all weekend, and she's having some anxiety about it.

"Sweetheart, he'll be fine, and if you want to video call, you can. Just not every hour. I want you to enjoy the break. Now get your men and get out of here. We got the strippers from the club coming over in about thirty minutes."

I can see the steam rising as her face turns red. I don't have to be a rocket scientist to know she's about to blow. She spins on her heels, facing the four men who have stepped up behind her, each of them stifling their laughs.

"See, I told y'all this was a bad idea. We're staying here. There's no way I'm leaving my baby with fucking strippers." The guys can't hold it any longer and burst out laughing, doubling over and holding their stomachs. "What the fuck's so funny?"

Colin reigns in his emotions, pulling her into his arms, hugging her tightly. "Your dad's messin' with you, baby. There are no strippers comin' over here. If they were and Arizona heard wind of it, she'd be fuckin' them all up."

"Fine, but I'm going to be checking in a lot."

"Okay, time for all the Reynolds to leave, minus this handsome one in my arms. Out you all go." I move around them and head straight to the living room to the recliner I deem as my spot when I'm here.

"Yes sir, Prez, we're out of here." Kaleb gives a salute like I'm an officer in the army.

Each of them makes their way over to me, kissing their baby and telling him goodbye. Ashlynn is last and Ryker has to pull her away, tears streaming down her face. I hate she's upset, but they need this weekend away together, without a child with them.

When I hear the door click, I sigh in relief and begin to sing softly to my grandson. At this moment, I'm the happiest man alive.