Chapter Sixteen

S prite was a little nervous. She'd had a fantastic first day at the job and Booker had been thrilled with his tattoo. Twist had been one of her afternoon appointments. After she'd finished his, Dex had asked when she'd have time to fit him in. She'd been able to add him later in the week. Although Rascal and Roam had both pushed to have her only work half days, Phoebe had told Blake all the fun things the daycare had planned in the afternoons this week. She'd decided to add a couple of afternoon appointments but also leave open time so she could help plan the women's tattoo evening.

She cleaned up her area. Roam had said if it was okay, he wanted to drive her over to the daycare to pick up the kids. He'd mentioned he had something to talk with her about. She hoped it wasn't that he was unhappy with her job today. But then the more she thought about it, Rascal would be the one who spoke with her if they were dissatisfied.

"You ready, Sprite? We can drop my bike and your car, then take the side-by-side again."

Sprite nodded. She was getting a weird vibe from Roam. He almost seemed nervous, but she couldn't think of any reason why he would be. She got in her car, turned it on and rolled down the windows for a little bit. She'd thought Texas was hot but her car sitting on the asphalt was blazing. She'd noticed some of the cars on the street had sunshades and she was adding it to her list to purchase. Her steering wheel was hot to the touch.

She pulled out and followed Roam back to the compound and down to her house. She hoped he wasn't going to say they were a mistake because he'd break her heart. Despite all her best efforts of going slow and keeping her distance, two weeks after meeting Roam she was in love with the man and his children. Maybe she'd immersed herself in too many romances, but with him, she could see the happily ever after. She parked and waited for him to park his bike. He motioned to one of the side-by-side's that had been parked under a canopy to keep the car seats cool.

She got in beside him and waited for him to talk.

"Okay, so I'm first going to say I'm sorry. I didn't think I was doing anything wrong. My dad pointed out how someone else might view it that way, though, so I need to tell you."

Sprite waited because honestly, she was freaking worried. What did he have to apologize for?

"So back before War returned to the MC about a year ago, the kids' mom left a note with our babysitter and took off. Come to find out, she was having an affair with the CEO of the credit union. She cleaned out all our accounts, including my personal account, and left a note saying how horrible I was, and she didn't want to be married. I mean, I wasn't happy, but I was trying to make it work for the kids. I knew she could be bitchy because she spent a lot of time yelling about the things I'd done wrong. But she still seemed to love the kids. I never saw her treat them unkindly. She picked them up when they cried, but she still just left.

"I've had people looking everywhere for her so she can be served with divorce papers. Remi has used all the bail bonds connections trying to find any trace of her, along with Scoop and Sarah trying to track her online. No one has caught a hint of where she is.

"My lawyer has posted the notice, which is one of the steps to get a judge to approve it without her signature. Now we're waiting for the time to pass before I can get a judge to declare us divorced.

"I'm so incredibly sorry. I don't consider myself married because she abandoned us and I've started proceedings. But technically, we're separated, not divorced. I know this may make you not want me around. No matter what you decide, your job is safe. This is straight up my fault. I never considered what I thought was going to be a one-night stand at a convention would end up being someone who I can't imagine life without."

Roam paused and Sprite thought through all he'd said. His estranged wife sounded a lot like Blake's mom. Sprite couldn't imagine abandoning your own children, but it seemed her brother and Roam were unlucky enough to find women exactly like that.

If she would have found out Roam was still married before he told her, she would have felt betrayed. It would have been like he was hiding it from her. His tone and words told her how horrible he felt that he hadn't told her earlier. But really, when they'd first gotten together, it had been a one-night stand. You don't usually tell your one-night stand, your life story. You have hot sex and go your separate ways.

Once she'd been offered the job, they'd gone at Mach speed getting her moved and the kids acclimated. She'd been here two weeks, and he could have found time earlier, but she guessed he was worried she wouldn't take it well. And he'd moved into his house during that time too. It's not like they'd just been doing nothing.

Roam pulled up at the daycare. "If you want space, we can pick up the kids together and then I can leave you alone. Or I can grab a different side-by-side and take it. I don't want you uncomfortable."

She turned toward Roam, scrutinizing his face. He was still trying to do what was best for her in offering her space. Was she really going to let something this small pull them apart when everything he'd done before this showed how much he cared for her and her kids? Not when she couldn't imagine life without him, either.

She leaned closer, sliding her hand up around his neck and pulling him closer.

"I appreciate you telling me. I'm not running, and I don't need time to think about it. You're the man I want a relationship with. The man who showed me how special I am and how special you consider my kids. As soon as she's found, you can make sure she's out of our lives and the kids' lives permanently. Because Matthew "Roam" Shields, I don't know how it happened, but you have swept me away until all I know is I love you."

Roam's eyes lit and he smiled. He leaned closer, laying his lips against hers softly. It wasn't the heated kiss he'd given her in the hotel room or in his kitchen. It was sweet and flowing with a promise of what their life would be. A promise to be the man she knew he was for her and their kids. The thought of five kids scared her a little but she wouldn't be doing it by herself. He slowly pulled away, and she gazed in the eyes of the man she'd fallen for.

"You are one in a million, Sprite. I don't know how it happened either but Jane "Sprite" Pacer, I love you with every breath in my body. Thank you for not holding my dumb behavior against me and giving me a second chance. I promise I will not let you down."

Sprite giggled, then hopped out of the vehicle. "Let's go get the kids."