HarleyAs I drive into the shop, I take notice of everything around me in a way I never have. Today, it all seems like it's from the set of a movie. The sun shines brighter, the sky is bluer, and, although it's not summer yet, the flowers are starting to bloom.Last night, Bishop held me through a thunderstorm. There's a sense of renewal in the air today. Turning onto Louisville Road, I take it slow and easy instead of hurrying like I normally do.On a typical day, I disobey speed limits and weave in and out of traffic, trying to avoid any of the local cops as I do so. Not today, though. I allow myself to see and experience everything around me. Enjoying it for what it is and thinking to myself that I really need to remember this day.I'm still waiting for the doctor's office to call me back, but somehow I know I'm gonna get the answer I'm looking for today. That could be why I'm enjoying my drive to work more than I usually do. I don't even get angry when someone in a lifted truck cu
BishopMy alarm hasn't gone off yet, but I've been awake for almost an hour watching Harley sleep. It's one of the only times her guard is down. Gone is the tough girl who refuses to let anyone see the softness inside of her. In it's place is a girl with the serenity of not having a care in the world.She's smiling and I can't help but wonder what's going on in her mind. Maybe it's a dream about us, at least I hope it is. Tucking my arm around her neck, I pull her closer, inhaling her scent and letting it wash over me. If there's one thing in this world that will put me at ease, it's knowing she's right beside me. Her smell is intoxicating and all I need to remind me that I'm home."Why are you watching me?" Her voice is thick with sleep, one eye open as she squints toward where I'm staring at her.Dropping a kiss to her forehead, I inhale deeply. "Thinking about how lucky I am to have you in my life."Harley chuckles and a smile spreads across her face. "Me being pregnant has made yo
Harley"I swear to God, Will. If you don't stop moving my stuff, I'm going to tell Dad about you charging your game coins to his credit card." I point my finger at my little brother, threatening him as I see he's completely switched everything on my desk.His eyes go wide as what I've said sinks in. It's almost as if the good luck he's been having flashes before his eyes. The realization comes in waves as his eyes brighten and then darken again."Nooooo," he begs, his voice a tinge too whiny for me. "I have a good thing going right now.""It might be a good thing, ya know? Teach you a lesson. The good thing is gonna be limited if you don't leave my desk alone. Why did you mirror it all?""Dad brought me in," he complains as he blows out a breath. "And I got bored waiting for someone else to get here. We've been working for over an hour. I thought we were going to go for breakfast, but that was a lie." His tone is annoyed."Then why didn't you go out there with him and learn how to be
BishopThe door to the office swings open, banging against the frame of the building as it almost comes off its hinges. Drew Walker storms out. His laser focused gaze is on me and I'm immediately hit with foreboding like I've never felt. Fire is flying from his eyes in a way I've never seen. Legit, he's looking like he could murder me and, for just a moment, I hope Harley remembers me and lets our child know how much I loved them both. My life is flashing before my eyes because there's one thing that's abundantly clear.Drew knows.Caelin stands next to me, whistling through his teeth. "Shiiitttt.""Yeah." I inhale deeply, wishing we weren't about to have this confrontation. However, I know I'll have it a million times for Harley. I'd do absolutely anything for her, including getting capped at the knees."You." Drew points to me. "Back there."Fuck my life. He means back behind the garage and, while I'm scared, pride puffs my chest up. In fact ,I'm willing to take whatever Drew's goin
Bishop"I'm exhausted," Harley says as she has a seat on the couch, sighing deeply.I plop down next to her, putting my arm around her neck and pulling her in close. It's been a long day for me too. Seems like most of them have been since we've been keeping this secret from everyone. There's a low-level buzz in my days, worrying about her and this baby that doesn't even have a gender or name yet. But this is about her, not me. "I am too. How did your mom take it?""Good, both of them have taken it really well. I'm taking a picture to send to Grandpa Liam and Grandma Denise. I don't think I can take telling them. In fact, I figure that's how we'll tell everyone else. It's just too much stress, trying to figure out how to tell them in a way that won't make them react in a way I don't want them to.""Because you're afraid you're going to be a disappointment?"Our hands intertwine. She rubs her fingers up and down my palm. It's one of the most comforting gestures. "No, because I don't wan
LiamMorning coffee and eggs on the screened-in porch with Denise has always been one of my favorite ways to start my day. Since I retired from Heaven Hill, it's become the only way to start my day. "Sorry they're a little more done than you like. Someone was distracting me." Denise grins over her coffee cup.A wolfish grin answers hers. "Won't apologize for it.""Never asked you to," she responds with a wink.This peace and quiet wasn't something I knew I could have over thirty years ago. Now that I'm on the other side of sixty, I do my best to enjoy every single one of the moments I cherish. We go back to eating and that's when both our cell phones begin buzzing.Denise sighs. "That's either good or bad news.""Hopefully, it's the first." I get up, ambling over to where we keep our phones. At some point in the last few years, we decided not to have them around all the time. When we're together, we're just that. Without other people invading our time. But the fact we both got texts?
Harley"I don't know if I have any more in me," I groan as I sit on my knees, bent over the toilet. I thought I was done with this, but Gramps came in with a cup of coffee in his hand."There's always more," Grandma Denise commiserates as she rubs my back. "It's like it never ends.""How ya doin', Push Pop?" He calls through the door."Tell him to stop mentioning food!""Be right back." She gets up, quickly shooting out the door.Sitting back on my heels, I take a few deep breaths and try to get my stomach under control. This has to stop soon. I'm not sure how much more I can take of it. It always throws my days off. I start puking and then it's like my day has to start over too.I've even had a few times where I had to change clothes. I've taken to carrying an extra set with me.There's a slight knock at the door before it opens. "Hey, how ya doin'?"Glancing up, I grin at the hottest guy I know. "Been better." I shrug as he has a seat next to me. "Who told you?""Liam. I told him yo
Bishop"When are they gonna be here?" I ask Caelin as we stand in the bays at Walker's Wheels after hours. We've been running a little operation for the past few months, trying to make a few extra dollars. It's quickly become more than a few extra dollars and right now it's helping with the expenses I'm going to be incurring with a new baby."Said they crossed the state line into Kentucky an hour ago. Should be here any minute.""Good, I hate leaving Harley home right now.""How's she doing?" He takes a drag off his cigarette, blowing smoke away from me. I'm doing my best to stop before the baby comes, but stress is leading to other things."Okay when she's not puking. We're almost to the twelve-week mark though, so hopefully things will slow down once we get to that point.""I can't believe it's gone so fast." He whistles between his teeth."Me neither. Before we know it, I'm gonna be a fucking dad." The thought is still very foreign. There are times when it's almost enough to send m