Twisted Steel: An MC Anthology: Second Edition by Elizabeth Knox (top 5 ebook reader txt) 📕

were, but being away from the place I call home gave me perspective. The life I have wasn’t living, and Angus was right, I need to live without fear and take what belonged to me without apologies. It’s what that old asshole wanted all along, to breathe the life back into me before he took his last.

I hold up my hand and signal the waitress over. “I’m gonna buy a round for my friend here.” She smiles and brings over a bottle of brew. We clink glasses. “To your old man. He was a good man. Live like he did, and we will be square.”

“To Angus, a grumpy, stubborn ass, who never gave up on life,” Bull adds in.

“Are you taking over the club?” His patch says VP, but I do wonder.

“I’ll try anyway. I’ll never leave those walls. Inside, he left a piece of him with us.” Bull chokes on the words. He tells me a few stories of the club I left long ago, then I take one last drink of my beer and set it down.

“Good luck on your future. It’s about time I move on.” He stands when I do, and we shake hands. Walking out of that bar, I feel as if the weight I’m haulin’ behind me is gone. The wind picks up and I raise my middle finger to Angus. I know you, bastard. I know. I hear you.

20

Angie

Jazzy sits with me at the doctor’s office in the waiting room. “Is it normal to be this nervous? What if something is wrong with her? I can’t take it if something happens to her!” I whisper-shout. A few heads turn and I plaster on a fake smile. Haven’t they ever seen a crazy, emotional pregnant lady before? Oh wait, they are too!

Jazzy’s hand comes down on top of mine. “Baby,” she coos like she’s my woman.

“What the fuck?” I mouth, now confused as hell.

“It’s all going to be okay. I’ve got you.” She lowers her voice. “I’m getting into that room. If I have to pretend to be your lover, I will do it.”

I squint my eyes, wondering why she thinks that. I can bring up to two people with me, my choice. “Angela Sarrico,” the nurse calls, and I get up to follow. Jazzy holds my hand the few steps to the door. I’m going to make her pay for this little scene she made. The cute nurse gives a loving smile as if we’re some cute couple.

“Wait!” a loud male’s voice booms on the other side of the closing door.

“Is that Cowboy?” Jazzy whispers. “He can’t seriously be here to steal my bestie rights.”

The nurse opens the door with one hand. All I see is a hot piece of Cowboy. Long, strong legs and boots, and muscles that want to burst out of a t-shirt. Well, on one side at least because he still has a cast on. His beige hat against his tanned skin makes him look handsome. Wherever he’s been has done him good.

He steps past the drooling nurse and toward me. He doesn’t say hello. I want to cry at the sight of him. Why? I don’t know. He wraps his hand behind my neck and pulls me into him. His soft lips touch mine. It’s not hungry or rushed but soft, sweet, and tender. “Hey. I couldn’t miss today, could I?” he rasps and waits for my reply.

I forget that Jazzy is holding my hand until she tugs me out of my stupor. I rip my hand away and glare at her smirking face. “I’m happy you’re here,” I choke, equally thrilled and confused.

The nurse garners our attention and sets us up in the room. I sit on the examination bed before I lie back on the table. The doctor walks in and runs through introductions while she taps away on the keyboard. Cowboy has my hand glued in his while we watch the screen. She points out certain anatomy. “Your baby is very healthy. Good job, momma.” Those words make the tears spring to my eyes. He wipes them away and kisses my temple, but I cannot move my face away from the screen. I realize it’s just a sonogram, but to me, it’s beautiful. My heart pounds with love like I’ve never felt in my life. How can I fall in love so easily? She’s my life and part of me. “Are you ready to hear the sex?”

My throat is so tight, I just nod with a sniffle. The doctor has a warm smile on her face. “If you look at these two faint lines here.” She points with her finger to the stilled image on the screen. “Shows us you are having a baby girl. Get ready, dad, you have a big job coming.”

“Holy shit, you were right,” Jazzy guffaws.

Cowboy squeezes my hand and I turn my head. “A really big job.” His thumb runs across my jaw.

The doctor gives us instructions for our next appointment, and we set it up at the front desk. Jazzy hums as we stop in the parking lot. “You two have to catch up. I’m going to head back to work. Cowboy, I’m so happy you were here.” She’s going to leave, and I can tell she’s being strong, but she needs me. It wasn’t too long ago that she lost her baby. Today had to sting.

“Hey!” I blurt out and drag her into my embrace. “I love you. Thank you for being here. What the hell was that lesbian-hand-holding-support about?”

She chuckles, “Well, I’m selfish and I was going to get in that room. Two, it got your stress down because you were worrying yourself over nothing. Yep, two things done and I’m that good.” She winks.

“You’re also a dork. I can bring two people in with me.”

“I was not informed, so improv was my go-to. I’ll never leave your side, even when you fight when you shouldn’t. Call me later.” Oh, I get it. She wants