Page 153 of Knight
That was as good as an enthusiastic invitation from anyone else. I called my goodbyes to Hollywood and Joyride, then headed toward Aiden’s hatchback. He had wanted totake a side dish to the cookout, so riding the bike was out today.
I opened the passenger door, picked up the bowl of broccoli salad resting on my seat, and sat down. “This looks good.”
“Well, it was easy anyway,” Aiden said with a laugh. “It tastes good and it’s not store-bought. I call that a win, right?”
“You’re such an overachiever,” I teased. “You know those guys eat their potato salad right out of the grocery store tub.”
He shrugged, color seeping into his cheeks as he started the car. “I wanted to do something nice. They’ve all been so welcoming, and I haven’t always shown my appreciation.”
“They know.” I buckled my seat belt, then rested my left hand on his thigh. “They wouldn’t keep inviting you out to drag shows otherwise.”
He laughed. “Yeah, well, Sassy Soloissomething to see,” he said. “You should have come with us last night.”
“Nah. You deserve your own friend time,” I said. “How did Liliana like the show?”
“Oh, she loved it. She fit in great with the guys, too. Her and Shiloh were sharing naughty stories all night.”
I chuckled. I loved that Aiden had made a good friend like Liliana and felt connected to his brother’s family. He was settling in and finding his place in Riverton.
The guys at Redemption Road grounded me. They were like the brothers I’d never had. I wanted Aiden to feel that sense of family, too. To know that he wasn’t alone in the world anymore.
Aiden frowned. “I worry about Ghost, though. He’s too isolated.”
“He likes it that way,” I said.
“Doesn’t mean it’s good for him,” Aiden said. “He was in prison a long time, right? He probably doesn’t know any otherway to be. Maybe if there are leftovers, we could bring him some when we get back?”
That was when it hit me. Ghost and the other Redemption Road guys weren’t just my family. They were becoming Aiden’s, too. And I was more than happy to share them.
Ghost would grumble when we showed up with food, but something told me he’d survive it. Maybe even secretly like it.
“Good idea, Angel,” I said. “Very good idea.”
CHAPTER 32
AIDEN
I pulledonto a patch of dying grass between Bailey’s flashy red Camaro and Holden’s sleek GTO outside the Forrester house a few hundred yards from their auto shop and junkyard. These guys liked their classic cars, but that was probably to be expected from a bunch of mechanics.
Knight threw open his door and stepped out. He wore his usual faded blue jeans and muscle tank that exposed flashes of his flanks, but the bowl of broccoli salad in his hand gave him an oddly domestic vibe. My stomach fluttered at the sight.
This was my man, holding my contribution to a cookout with family and friends. When did this become my life?
He caught me staring at him. “What?”
“Nothing. Just happy we’re here together this time.”
He extended his left hand wordlessly, and I laced our fingers together. He tugged me close enough to kiss my cheek. “We’re always together, from here on out.”
One deep woof, followed by several excited yips, drew our attention to the corner of the house. A whole canine welcoming committee raced to greet us.
Sugar was in the lead, soulful eyes sizing us up to determinewhether we were friend or foe. She was an intimidating dog, so large and muscular, but I’d never known her to be anything but sweet. The little Chihuahua, Taz, was at her heels, lips pulled back in a fairly intimidating snarl despite his small size. There was a third dog I didn’t recognize, a gray-and-white Boston terrier with perky ears and a happy-go-lucky face. There were at least three more dogs, I was pretty sure, but they must have stayed with their people in the backyard. Or possibly they just wanted to stick close to the food.
Knight handed me the broccoli salad and bent to give each dog a scratch behind the ears. They all sat down, tongues lolling out, happy to receive loving.
“Sugar! Taz!” Axel bellowed as he came around the house. “Where the fu—oh. I see you have them eating out of the palm of your hand. Disloyal mutts.”
He was grinning as he said it, so I didn’t think he minded too much.
