The Biker's Fate Chapter 98

Cassidy

Present Day...

"HEY, CASS," DANI said as soon as I answered the phone.

"Well, hi there, teacher of the year," I responded.

Danielle Carver had been Maverick's kindergarten teacher this past year, and she and I had begun a quick friendship which was one of the first I'd formed since leaving home. For whatever reason, I trusted Dani immediately. Rare for me, but Dani had championed Maverick, including spending extra time with him to help challenge him with harder work. Dani's husband, Booker, was an officer in the Dogs of Fire Motorcycle Club out of Portland, and not only was he gorgeous, he was wholly devoted to Dani and I was hoping I'd meet someone like him one day.

Dani giggled. "It's easy to look good when my kids are perfect."

I smiled at Mav who was drawing at the kitchen table. "Mine's pretty close... at least right now."

"Are you guys going to make it tonight?"

"Are you sure it's okay if I bring him?"

"Absolutely. Lily will be there, as will a bunch of other kids. Every member will be there tonight, so they picked up the biggest pig I've ever seen."

I lowered my voice. "So, you're telling me there will be more hotties like Booker and Hawk?"

Dani giggled. "Yes. Absolutely."

I grinned. "Then I'm definitely there."

"Awesome. Do you want Hawk and Payton to pick you up? They live in Felida and Payton offered."

"No, that's okay. I'm fine with driving. It means I can leave if Mav's tired."

"Sounds good. I'll send you Payton's cell in case you change your mind," Dani said. "Tonight's going to be really fun, Cass. I promise."

"I'm surprisingly looking forward to it... even with this sudden intense desire to back out."

Dani chuckled. "There is absolutely no pressure. We won't leave your side if you don't want us to. Austin and Hawk will run interference too."

"Thanks." I relaxed a bit, not realizing until then that I'd been nervous. "It's been a really long time, you know?"

"Well, it's time to get back on the horse then."

"Ha!" I retorted.

"I'll see you in a few hours."

I smiled. "Sounds good. 'Bye."

"'Bye," Dani said, and hung up.

I glanced around my little apartment and shook my head. How different my life was compared to how I had envisioned once upon a time. I had a really good job with a large insurance company, which afforded Maverick and me the ability to rent a clean but small two-bedroom apartment in Vancouver, Washington. We were finally starting to break through the years of struggle when I wouldn't have made it without my parents' help.

Once my dad had come to terms with my pregnancy, he became the best grandfather on the planet. Carter had left the day after I'd told him and I never heard from him again. If my parents heard any updates, they kept them from me, knowing I would have been unable to deal.

An unexpected friendship with Carter's older brother, Jaxon, had been a surprise, and he was actually the one who helped me get settled in Vancouver. He was an FBI agent and lived in Portland, so was close if I needed him. I rarely did and he kept his distance, but he'd check in every now and then.

I had lost all contact with Aidan around the same time as Carter left and I have no idea if either of them knew where I was or if they even cared. I guess for now, my sadness was replaced most days with a sort of fog that at least meant I wasn't overwhelmed with thoughts of what could have been.

"Mav, baby, we're going to a party tonight, so let's get you showered."

"Aw, Mom, do I have to?" he whined.

"Yeah, buddy, you have to. I don't want people thinking I don't know how to keep you clean and fed."

"Can I just tell them I'm a homeless kid you found on the street?"

I nearly choked on my intake of breath. Sometimes, he'd come out with these one-liners that were far too funny and mature for a six-year-old. "Holy moly, kiddo, you need to warn Mom when you're going to make me laugh like that."

He smiled. "Does that mean I can skip the shower?"

"Nice try, but no."

He grumbled again.

"Miss Harris, I mean, Mrs. Carver will be there, so you want to look your best, right?"

His face brightened. "Yeah! She's awesome."

"I know. I'll shower first, then you can while I put on my face."

Maverick wrinkled his nose. "Your face is already on."

I giggled. "It's a figure of speech."

He shrugged and went back to his drawing. He loved art. He always had. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised, considering I'm technically artistic, but I was never able to draw like that... I didn't have the patience to sit in one place for long enough.

We arrived at the Dogs of Fire compound just after seven. I was very lucky to have a kid who was go-with-the-flow, considering I had more of a need for structure, but he was just happy all the time. I couldn't imagine my life without him, I just wished sometimes he could have been Carter's rather than Pierre's.

Dani met us at the front door and scooped Maverick into a big hug. "How's my favorite student? I'm gonna miss you next year."

"I'll visit, Mrs. Carver," he said.

"I can't wait. Do you want to come see what they're doing in the kids area? I think there's a video game battle happening."

"Can I, Mom?" he asked, his face bright with hope.

"Of course, bud. Let's go."

We made our way through the kitchen and to an area at the back with a huge kids' area and a couple of older teenage girls who were on babysitting duty. They seemed pretty solid and they were interacting with the kids, so I relaxed knowing Mav was in good hands.

"Ever since Payton and I forced our way in, there's always plenty of wine," Dani said as she pulled a bottle from the wine rack on the kitchen counter.