The Biker's Fate Chapter 535

Tate

"They've been in there a long time," I complained, pacing my kitchen floor.

"Sweetheart, they've been in there for less than fifteen minutes."

"Way too long."

"You wearing a hole in our floor isn't going to make it go any faster," Mom pointed out.

"If dad's being difficult, we might not stay for dinner."

Mom sighed. "When have you ever known your dad to be difficult?"

"There's always a first time."

She smiled. "Why don't you peel these potatoes? It'll give you something to do. Plus, you are an artist with spuds."

It was true. I could peel a potato in less than a minute without leaving any skin. And as much as my mother's compliment was probably a way of buttering me up in order to do it in the first place, I fell for it every time.

I sighed, making my way to the kitchen island, and grabbing the potato peeler. I'd finished the third potato when I heard my father's booming voice yell, "There's no way in hell I'm letting you take my daughter away."

"Oh yeah, old man, well, if you give us any trouble, you'll never see her again," Flash returned.

"Do you really think you can threaten me?" Dad growled.

I gasped, dropping the potato peeler, and running toward them, freezing at the mouth of the hallway to see them both grinning like idiots.

"Oh my god, you two can both go to hell," I snapped, turning on my heel and stomping back to the kitchen.

The boom of male laughter followed me as I sat back up at the kitchen island and attacked another potato. Flash and my dad waltzed into the kitchen, laughing hysterically as my mother appeared to be holding back her own mirth.

"All of you suck." I slammed the peeler onto the island.

My dad grinned, leaning down to kiss my mother quickly before making his way to me and wrapping me in a bear hug.

"No," I retorted. "You don't deserve my affection. Or my perfectly peeled potatoes."

Dad laughed, releasing me as Flash leaned down and kissed my cheek.

"Neither do you."

Flash sat on one of the stools beside me as Mom handed him another potato peeler. It was like he'd never been gone, falling into domestic ease with my family like he always had.

I heard the front door alarm beep and then Theo called out, "Is dinner ready?"

"Kid, you better get your butt in here," Dad called back, and Theo jogged into the room.

"Whoa," he said, eyeing Flash up. "Hey, Flash."

"Hey, Theo," he said.

I met Theo's eyes and mouthed, "Be Nice."

He mean-mugged me before snagging a snap pea off the island.

"How does the team look this year?" Flash asked, immediately getting to the heart of my brother.

"I think it's going to be a good season," Theo said. "Got a couple of guys who came up from the JV squad that look good."

"You QB?"

Theo nodded.

"Think you have a chance at State?" Flash continued.

"If I can keep up with my class load and the two-a-days the coach has us pulling."

"Well, get your head in the game," Flash joked. "I've got a lot of money riding on your team."

Theo laughed. "Just make sure I get my cut, I'll need every cent for college."

"No problem."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop a smile as I shifted my seat closer to Flash. He wrapped an arm around me and kissed my temple, and I leaned against him as I basked in the glow of my man's love for my family.

Hayden walked in a few minutes later, and she hugged Flash with a little more enthusiasm than in previous weeks.

I loved my sister. She really was my ride or die.

Once dinner was done, Flash helped me with the dishes, and then it was time for him to go and I lost my mind a little.

"Baby, we can go to the club," he reminded me as we stood by the front door.

"I know." I slid my arms around his waist and up his back. "But I need to sleep. I have to study."

"Are you sure?" He slid his hands to my butt and squeezed.

"Don't," I begged.

He chuckled. "Okay, baby. How about I pick you up when I'm done with club shit tomorrow?"

"What time?"

"Not sure." He gave me a squeeze. "I'll text you."

I bit my lip. "Okay."

He smiled, leaning down to kiss me gently. "You gonna survive without me for one night?"

I wrinkled my nose and shook my head.

"I'll find us a place to go tomorrow night," he promised.

"That would be good." I met his eyes. "Like, I'll allow you to live, good."

He grinned, chucking my chin. "I like living."

"I am so gonna miss you tonight."

"Me too, baby," he said, kissing me again. "Last chance to go to the club."

I dropped my head to his chest and sighed. "I really need to study."

"You got flash cards or something like that?"

"No, I have a series of sample tests, both online and printed out."

"Okay, you study tonight, then I'll grill you tomorrow."

"Except, I'm gonna want to be plowed tomorrow."

Flash laughed. "I'll plow you, then grill you."

"Then plow me some more."

"Definitely." He kissed me again. "I'm gonna go."

I nodded but held him tighter and he chuckled, squeezing me tight again.

"Jesus Christ, Tate. Let the man go," Theo bellowed. "I need to go upstairs."

"Theo!" Mom snapped. "Language."

"Okay, baby, I'm gonna go," Flash repeated.

"Call me when you get home," I bossed.

"I will."

He kissed me one more time, then walked out the door. I closed and locked it behind him, then turned and faced my brother who was walking toward me. "You could have just walked up the stairs. You didn't need to be a dick."

"And have to walk past you two sucking face?" He shuddered dramatically. "No thank you."

I rolled my eyes. "Mature."

"Mature," he mimicked in a snotty voice.

He sauntered up the stairs and I went to grab a pint of ice cream.

Flash

I let myself into my parents' house and reset the alarm, pulling my phone out to call Tate, but my mother interrupted me.

"Flash?" she called from the kitchen.

"Yeah, Mom?"

"Got a minute?"

"Yeah." I sighed, sliding my phone back into my pocket and heading her way. She was at the island, a cup of tea in front of her. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, love." She smiled. "Just bored."

"Where's Dad?"

"Hawk needed help with something. He's over at his place."

"You didn't go hang with Payton?" I asked, pulling a beer out of the fridge.

"She's got the crud and I don't want to risk getting it again."

"I don't blame you." I sat up at the island beside her.

"How's Tate?" she asked.

"She's good, other than us sleeping apart."

Mom frowned. "I can understand that. I hate sleeping alone when your dad's out of town."

"Oh, I know," I teased. "You don't sleep, ergo, we don't sleep."

When Dad was out of town, Mom would make us stay up with her watching some of the worst movies on the planet just so she wouldn't have to be alone. Lucky for us, it didn't happen very often.

She chuckled. "True story. I'd apologize, but then I'd be lying because Mummy loves quality time with her boys and if I have to make you watch girly movies with me, I'll do it."

"And you know we'll always say yes."

"That's because your dad would murder you in the face if you didn't."

I laughed. "I will neither confirm nor deny."

"You're a good boy, Flashy." She grinned, squeezing my arm. "When are your renos going to be done?"

"I'm meeting with Cade tomorrow, but I think a week or so."

"Well, that's exciting."

"Yeah. Just want it done."

She chuckled. "I know, love."

We heard the beep of the alarm, and then my dad called out, "Sunshine?"

"Kitchen, darling."

"I need to call Tate," I said, sliding off the stool, and kissing her cheek.

"Love you."

"Love you, too, Mama."

I pulled my phone out of my pocket again and passed my dad on the way up to my room. He gave me a quick hug, then I headed upstairs.