Chapter Fifteen

R oam walked into the studio a little late. He and Rascal were supposed to both be here before Sprite started her day, but his children had not cooperated. Georgia had not been happy when Grant and Casper had taken all the toys she had in front of her to drop down the stairs from the upstairs.

Don't even get him started on the fact Grant had left both gates on the stairs unlatched so his baby brother could crawl up them. Thank goodness, he hadn't tumbled down them. The only blood had been Grant's because after he'd thrown the toys down, Georgia had wanted them back. When Grant tried to take them away again, Georgia had smacked him in the face with the toy, cutting his chin.

At least, that's what he thought had happened. He'd been grabbing extra diapers because the daycare had sent a reminder text that he was supposed to be bringing more. He'd had to go on what Grant was saying. Of course, everyone was crying while Grant was explaining and Cane was barking. Was it only a couple weeks ago that he thought he was rocking the single parent thing?

He'd already decided he needed to talk with Sprite about his ex-wife or former wife or separated wife. He wasn't even sure what to call her, but he didn't consider himself married. He hoped Sprite didn't feel differently. He wanted to talk with her today but when he'd run it by Rascal, Rascal had vetoed it. He'd said Roam couldn't have a personal conversation and then expect Sprite to work. Rascal had suggested driving Sprite to pick up the kids and doing it before they picked them up. Then allow Sprite time to think about it. Roam hoped Rascal had the right idea because Roam didn't want to lose Sprite.

He backed his bike in. He'd dropped the ATV at home before heading to work. Even though it was a short drive, he needed the wind hitting him and the feel of his bike on the road to get him back on an even keel before he started work.

He pushed the door open and spotted Sprite and Rascal, already at work on their clients.

"Sorry I'm late."

"How's Grant? Rascal said he was hurt," Sprite questioned.

"He'll be fine. Honestly, he's lucky Georgia wasn't playing with something metal. Stella met us at daycare and said he doesn't need stitches. She put some butterfly bandages on to help hold it together. I'm sorry I missed wishing you a great first day."

"Rascal brought us donuts and coffee from the diner. Your first client cancelled, so you have time for some caffeine."

Roam nodded and went in to grab a coffee. He'd had breakfast and fed the kids before Grant had incited the riot at his house this morning. He took a deep breath in and blew it out slowly. Things would be all right.

He'd talk with Sprite tonight and then contact his lawyer again to see where they were at in the process. He thought he still had some time before they could finally get a court judgment.

He walked out and sat down in his chair beside his tattoo chair for his client. He glanced over at the man Sprite was tattooing. He recognized the man that he'd offered his card to at the competition and extended an offer to drop by their MC.

"Hey, how's it going, man?"

The client turned his head. "Perfect since I got the first appointment she had available."

"You come alone, or did you bring your buddies?"

"I brought them, but they wanted more than the coffee and donuts. They walked down to Regina's Roadside Refuge for breakfast. One of them snagged an appointment with Sprite for this afternoon."

Roam nodded. "You have a place to stay yet?"

"Yep, Rascal already invited us to stay at the clubhouse and check out what you all had to offer. He said there were a couple of extra rooms."

Rascal stood up from his chair after wiping the client's back. "You need a break?" he asked his client.

A tearful voice murmured yes.

"Well, my back could use one too. We can either continue this tomorrow because I've got time open, or we can take a short break. Fifteen minutes and then start again."

"Pencil me in for tomorrow. I should have listened to you when you said it would hurt a lot more on my ribcage. I feel like a pussy."

Rascal patted his client's shoulder. "Dude, we all have different pain tolerances in different places. No reason to feel like a pussy. Let me cover what we've done and then I'll get you on the schedule for tomorrow."

Roam waited until the client had left and then asked the question. "So what's your name? I realize we didn't exactly introduce ourselves."

"Booker. It was..."

"Don't listen to him give you this whole convoluted story about how his name is something to do with accounting. It's because his nose was always stuck in a book on deployment," the man coming in the door joked.

"These are my brothers and they're just like real ones. Sometimes you love them and other times you want to beat them with whatever is handy," Booker said, rolling his eyes.

Sprite paused tattooing as they all laughed.

Roam held out his hand to the two new men, "Roam, happy to meet you."

"This is Dex. He's a deadeye with a gun with either hand, and I'm Twist."

Roam shook both their hands. "I notice we didn't get an explanation about your name."

"He doesn't like to talk about himself, just everyone else. He's freaking fascinated with storm chasing but can also tell you when bad weather is coming. He's saved our butts more than once," Booker said.

"Glad to have you here. Well, I had a client cancel, so I have some time. Do you want me to show you where you'll be staying while Sprite finishes Booker up?"

"That would be great. I wanted to buy some stuff at Regina's but don't have any more room in my saddlebags."

"Let's head over there. I'm sure Rascal has already let the welcome committee know."

"Of course."

Roam motioned to the door and said his goodbyes and followed them out. "We're heading back out to the highway, then up the big hill. Compound sits right off the road."

Roam started up his bike and then took off as soon as they were ready. Working beside Sprite was going to be an adventure. When she bent over the tattoo chair, her short hair fell forward and left even more of her delicate neck exposed. It was one of his favorite places to kiss her because she always trembled afterwards. He'd asked her if it was too sensitive and she'd replied with, ‘don't you dare stop kissing me there'. So it must be a good kind of shiver.

He pulled into the compound, backing his bike in right in front of the clubhouse. Once they'd parked, he pointed out their garage, the driveway leading to the gun range, and the fence, which kept just anyone from getting to where all the houses were located.

He pulled open the double doors and remembered how he'd thought the clubhouse was the size of a warehouse when they first walked in. He was a lot bigger now. The clubhouse was a good size. He and War had discussed if their families kept growing and they continued adding members, they might have to look at some type of construction to have everyone at meals.

"So, main room here. We all always meet for Sunday lunch. My mom, Regina, has a list for people to help each week, so we all take turns with helping before and cleaning up."

He showed them the kitchen, the laundry room and then looked at the key board in the kitchen, trying to decide which rooms to put them in.

"Oh, Roam, I'm glad I caught you." He turned at the sound of his mom's voice. He pulled her in for a hug then turned and introduced his mom to the guys.

"Mom, this is Twist and Dex. Guys, this is my mom, Regina, who is the queen of all you see."

The guys laughed and thanked her for having them.

"I was just deciding where to put them."

She grabbed three keys, handing one to Roam and handing the others to each guy. "I think these will do best. I don't want to put anyone on the other side of Clara. Cannon and she seem to be having a little bit of dust up."

Roam chuckled. "Clara has been a pseudo grandparent to Sprite's kids, and she moved when Sprite moved here. She's in her seventies, and instead of choosing one of our small houses, she wanted to experience the clubhouse. She's even bought a Property of Cannon shirt she wears to lunch."

The guys laughed.

"She sounds like a hoot. I can't wait to meet her," Twist said.

"So about Sprite, is she available?" Dex asked.

"No. She's mine."

"Does she know that?" Dex replied with a smile.

"Yes, we're going slow. We both have kids and I want her to be comfortable."

The guys nodded as Roam led them toward their rooms. "Also, any of the food is okay to eat in the kitchen. If it's for a specific meal, it will be labeled. Let Bear know at the diner you're hanging out with us, and he'll make sure you get the discount. Any other questions?"

"Nope, we're good. Thanks, Roam. Are you going to give Booker his key or do we need to?"

"I will. His room is right beside yours, Twist."

He left the guys to get acquainted with the clubhouse and the MC. Then headed back to work. He needed to get his area ready for his next client, drop off Booker's key, and arrange to chat with Sprite.