Page 25 of Mac

Kate

My conversation with Mac occupied my thoughts for most of the day. It was super busy at the diner, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Meredith and the boys come in.

The twins rushed me as I was passing off a large, brown tub with dirty dishes to Evelyn across the counter. Meredith gave me a quick hug, like it was something we did all the time. The boys stopped their rambling of what they did at school to plop down at the counter, dropping their book bags on the ground as soon as Pam presented two huge pieces of chocolate pie.

“Sorry to bother you when you’re busy!” Meredith said, smiling.

I moved us toward the side near the kitchen door, where there were fewer people. “It’s okay, I’m glad to see you,” I said. “What brings you and the boys around?”

“Well, every month, I plan a family barbecue. Usually on a Friday or Saturday since the kids can stay up a bit later. And since you’re officially moving into the house this weekend, I figured Saturday night would be as good as any.”

She looked at me expectantly, but I had no idea what to say. The idea of being in a room full of bikers tomorrow evening and their idea of a party—

“It’s not what you’re thinking,” Meredith said, cutting right through my thoughts and chuckling. “It’s only family, no club girls, much tamer.”

I exhaled, not realizing I’d been holding my breath. But those nerves I’d had since I arrived in Vegas ramped up a hundredfold. “Thewholeclub will be there?”

She nodded. “Old ladies, kids, close friends of the club. It’s fun, very relaxed.”

I doubted that, but I had a sinking feeling this was a big deal. She was doing this for me, like some sort of coming out party, or whatever. Viking wanted me to be part of this, part of him. Meredith clearly had no issues, and she was so normal and put together. She knew this world and how to function in it, and maybe she could help me. Actually, I had no doubt she would. I just had to ask.

So, I took another deep breath and made a decision. “Okay,” I said. “I’m in.”

Meredith’s brilliant smile made me smile in return. She gave me another hug that I heartily returned, and by the time she and the twins left, I felt a little more at ease about the barbecue. Then again, I’d be seeing Mac, and god only knew what things he’d say to me to make me blush, but this time, in front of the whole club.

* * *

It was seven by the time I got off work, changed at the motel, and then sped all the way to the clubhouse. For the past hour, I was relieved to find that I wasn’t put on the spot. I was acknowledged by everyone and welcomed warmly, but no one asked me questions or pried. They let me be and didn’t push.

Meredith was always there when I needed her. She eased me through the introductions of the patched members, giving me pointers on conduct, the lingo, and how things worked. Frankly, it was all too much, and I knew I didn’t absorb a lot of it, but everyone was patient with me.

The family atmosphere, while unexpected, was wonderful to see. It was hard to fathom this was my life now.

After a couple of hours, I needed some air and found a secluded spot near a few desert willows lining the fence in the backyard. Even though I’d been offered a beer, I’d opted for a ginger ale with lime. I stood there sipping my drink, watching the flames shoot up into the sky from the fire pit. There was just as much activity outside as inside. The grills were still going on the far side of the yard, with people waiting in line for seconds, while a mix of country and rock blared so loud from the speakers I could feel the bass vibrating through my body. Since the clubhouse was situated in an unincorporated area, the stars seemed to blanket the dark sky as far as the eye could see, and it felt like we’re on a different planet.

I looped my fingers through the wire fence, seeing nothing but desert and the outline of some rocky mountain I didn’t know the name of off in the distance.

Wild and free, that was the motto of the club and out here, they had it. I could see its attraction and its dangers. But mostly, I took into account the things that mattered most to these people: Family. Trust. Honor. Togetherness. Love.

“Hey.”

I jumped a little, then relaxed when I saw it was Mac.

“Hey back,” I said, heart racing and not just because he’d surprised me.

“Having fun?” he asked, settling next to me and mimicking my stance by looping his fingers through the chain link.

“Yes...no?”

He laughed. “I hear ya,” he said. “We party hard, even on family night.”

“It’s wonderful, actually, everyone getting together. You’re all so tight. So close.”

“You can be part of it, too, Kate. If you want,” he reminded me.

That was both the problem and the solution. “I know...”

“What’s stopping you?” he asked, apparently hearing the conflict in my voice.