The Biker's Fate Chapter 117

Cassidy

THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY, I woke up to the sound of Maverick and Carter laughing again. I hadn't seen Carter Wednesday or Thursday, our schedules were too crazy, but he'd come over last night and stayed, and I realized pretty quickly I could seriously get used to this sound every morning. After our incredibly domesticated breakfast, Carter cleared the counter and I loaded the dishwasher while Maverick was washing his face and brushing his teeth.

"Hawk's takin' his boat out in a couple of hours and Payton invited us, along with Booker and Dani. Do you want to go?" Carter asked.

"Hawk has a boat?"

Carter chuckled. "Hawk has a yacht."

"Shut up, really?" I closed the dishwasher and washed my hands.

He grinned. "Got it real cheap on a repo deal and fixed it up."

"Wow, that sounds fun. I've never been on a boat before."

"Can't wait to see you in a bikini again."

"I don't own one... for obvious reasons."

"What the fu—"

"I'm all clean," Maverick announced as he walked toward us.

"Thanks, honey," I said, sending a warning look to Carter who shrugged. "Carter's invited us out on Lily's dad's boat. How does that sound?"

"Do we get to swim?"

"Yeah, we get to swim," Carter answered.

"Awesome! I'll get my suit."

"You want to pack up whatever you want to take, and we'll swing by my place before we head to the marina?"

"Sounds good. Should we bring food?"

"We'll stop by the store and grab a few things." He grinned. "Your fridge is kind of empty."

I groaned. "I know. I tend to procrastinate on shopping."

"You still hate it, huh?"

"Ohmigod, even worse than before."

He chuckled. "Get your stuff, babe. Jaxon's got the dog, but we'll grab her before we head to the boat."

I nodded and went to find Maverick. "Hey, buddy, you got your suit?"

"Yeah, Mom."

"Good. We should pack a change of clothes and towels as well, okay? Wanna go grab the big towels from the hall closet and bring them to my room, please?"

"Sure."

He scampered off and I took his stuff to my room where I grabbed a canvas tote from my closet and shoved extra clothes inside. I changed into my suit then pulled clothes over the top, and we met Carter in the living room.

"Ready?" he asked.

I nodded. "What about life jackets and stuff?"

"Hawk has all that stuff."

"For Mav too?"

"Babe, he has a daughter, I'm sure he's got plenty of everything."

I cocked my head. "Will you ask him, please?"

With a sigh, he pulled out his phone and sent off a text. "Asked him."

"We'll grab the booster seat while we wait for the answer."

"Are you saying if he doesn't have lifejackets, you won't go?"

I smiled sweetly. "Yes."

He grinned back. "If he doesn't have them, we'll buy them when we go to the store."

"Where are we going to buy lifejackets on a Sunday?"

Carter laughed. "I have no fu—ah... clue."

"Nice save," I said.

He pulled his phone out. "Hawk's got enough lifejackets for sixteen adults and ten kids."

I leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for asking him."

Carter smiled. "Let's go."

I grabbed my keys and followed my boys out.

Pulling up to Carter's little bungalow in North Portland, I wasn't surprised by his choice of house. He loved all things historic and was handy in pretty much every area, so I knew he would have chosen something to fix up.

"Mom, I gotta go," Maverick said, grabbing his crotch.

"Let's get you inside, then." Carter helped him out of his booster and we headed up to his house. Opening the door, the dog barked and came running to us. "Hey, girl... I guess Jax dropped you off, huh? Saves me some time." He spent a few seconds greeting Cassidy the dog and then guided Maverick to the bathroom while I took in the living room that we'd walked right into. A fireplace with built-in, glass-front cabinets on each side took up the wall to my right with a modern sofa and two chairs facing it. I wondered if Carter's mom had helped decorate the room, since the painting above it looked like the one that had been in their hallway.

Carter returned, setting a leash and dog bowl on the coffee table. "I have a few things to grab and then we should be set, but do you want a tour first?"

"That would be great," I said

"Can we go now?" Maverick rushed toward us.

I ruffled Maverick's hair. "Carter's gotta get his stuff, so we'll explore for a bit."

"Can I play with the dog?"

"Sure, buddy," Carter said.

"No going outside though," I added.

"I won't, Mom."

Carter made his way to the door, locking it and setting the alarm. "It'll beep if the door's opened, just in case."

I nodded toward the fireplace. "Was that painting in your parents' house?"

"Yeah. Anything girly in this house is from Mom."

I giggled. "That doesn't surprise me."

Before we ended the tour in his bedroom, he showed me the big eat-in kitchen which he'd gutted and redid in a modern but warm and inviting way. There was also a formal dining room, hall bathroom, two other bedrooms that were in various states of disarray, and a full basement with bathroom which was on his to-do list next.

Carter's bedroom was almost a carbon copy of his childhood one, only with a king-sized bed. "You brought your furniture with you?" I asked.

"Yeah. It's still good."

I chuckled. "Sure. We'll go with that."

"When we get married, you can change whatever you like."

I shook my head.

"What?" he asked, all innocence and light as he threw clothes into a duffel.

"I'm not having this argument with you again, buddy. Let's just drop it."

"Okay, baby." He kissed my cheek. "We'll drop it. Ready?"

"Yep."

We gathered up Maverick and the dog and headed back to the truck. The sound of motorcycle pipes had me turning to find Aidan parking in Carter's driveway. He climbed off with a grin and stowed his helmet. "Heard there was a boat party."

Carter chuckled. "You'll have to follow us or ride in the back with the dog."

"I'll follow."

"Maverick, come meet uncle Aidan," I said. "He's Carter's brother."

Introductions were made, and then we headed down to the marina.

Hawk and Payton's boat was incredible, and I was glad I'd insisted on a bottle of wine with all the other food items we brought. The boat was far too shi-shi to not bring a decent bottle of vino, and since Carter grabbed a case of beer and chips, I grabbed cheese and crackers and the like.

Booker and Dani joined us as well, along with Mack, and Dani's best friend Kim. I had instantly liked Mack when I first met him, and it seemed to irritate Carter, which in turn made it all the more worth it to flirt a little. Booker and Dani had also brought beer and wine, but Dani had the forethought to bring fruit and veggies, while Payton had everything for a sandwich making bonanza. The men took the kids on deck while us ladies sorted out the food. Cassidy the dog tried to stay where the food source was, but one command from Carter and she followed him outside.

"I always feel like I have to have fancy food when I go out on the boat," Payton admitted. "It's just so... I don't know..."

"Shi-shi?" I offered.

Payton giggled. "Yes, it's totally shi-shi."

"Is Macey going to make it?" Dani asked Payton.

"No. Both she and Dallas have to work." Payton handed me a glass of wine. "Macey's my bestie."

"Ah."

"Okay, I'm ready to get my flirt on," Kim declared.

Dani laughed. "With Mack."

"Or that Knight guy. Holy shit, he's hot."

"And Ace's brother," Dani said.

"Yeah, I kind of figured that," she said.

"So, you and Mack aren't together?" I asked.

Kim giggled. "No. Not my type."

"What do you mean?" Dani argued. "Anything with a penis is your type."

"Oh, you're funny," Kim droned. "The thing with Mack is weird... we just kind of figured out pretty quickly we were going to be friends and neither of us wanted to screw it up by sleeping together. Call it evolving as adults or a premonition or something, but we would not be good together. But, man, he's gorgeous and super fun to flirt with."

I grinned. "Yes, he is. But don't tell Carter."

Kim locked her lips. "Sealed, babe."

We filed onto the deck, one hand carrying a drink, the other carrying a tray of food that we set on the table by the railing. A strong arm wrapped around my waist as soft lips kissed my neck. "Mack," I whispered. "Stop."