Apollo (Cerberus MC)

“And you’re not?”

I can’t stop my knee from bouncing up and down.

“I can barely contain myself. This is only the second time Javier has gone to work since I’ve been here.”

“Really? Now I feel like a brat for making the last five days all about me. Only his second time?”

She nods. “He had a lot of recovery time after he got back from El Salvador. Did you do this one already?”

I glance from the names in the card to the one on my list. “Nope. What is that?”

“A three hundred dollar gift card to Precious Dreams.”

“Three hundred? That’s too much. What’s Precious Dreams?”

“It’s a baby specialty shop in town, and it’s not too much. Babies are expensive.”

“For their parents,” I clarify. “Other people shouldn’t spend this much money.”

“Well.” She slaps the next card against her leg as I write out a thank you note to Camryn and Samson. “If you think that’s too much, then maybe we should save this one for later.”

I take a deep breath, finishing the task I’m working on before looking up at my sister.

“This is from Cannon and Rivet.” She hands me the Target gift card.

“Cara, no.” I hand it back to her. “I can’t accept that.”

“It would be rude to give it back. They want you to have it.”

“It’s rude to hand someone five hundred dollars.”

“Write the card, April.”

I press the pen to the card a little too hard, nearly stabbing a hole through it.

“Thank you for making me feel like a complete failure who can’t take care of her own baby,” I mutter out loud as I write something sweet and appreciative instead.

Cara laughs. “The gift cards don’t expire, so just use a little over a long period of time. It won’t make you feel as bad.”

“Did they do something like this for you?”

“For what?” My sister slow blinks at me. “I’m not the one who showed up with a growing belly and got married three days later.”

I know she’s joking but I still feel a rush of guilt.

“Stop that.” She smacks my hand, making the pen drag across the card I’m writing on and ruining it. “You know I’m joking, and no they haven’t done any of this for me, but I won’t hesitate to give them grief if or when Javier and I do get married or announce a pregnancy if they don’t.”

“There are thousands of dollars in gifts here, Cara. It’s overwhelming.”

“I’ll spend it for you.”

I smile at her offer. “Really?”

“I’m spending it on you and my niece or nephew, but I don’t have any problem going shopping. I got over feeling guilty about them being so generous very quickly. I joke about wanting this when I’m in the same boat as you, but I really don’t expect it.”

“I know,” I agree. “If you were a hundred percent okay with it, you wouldn’t be working.”

“And you should be proud about starting your new job tomorrow.”

“I am. I’m excited. But not as excited as you are that the guys will be home shortly.”

“I honestly can’t wait,” I tell her, unafraid to confess this after spending many hours the last couple of days talking with my sister.

I’ve gotten to know more than just Cara, too. I’ve had conversations with many of the women around the clubhouse. They’ve involved me in everything and made me feel welcome and part of this family both Cara and Nate have mentioned to me.

We hear a squeal from the living room, and Cara and I are both on our feet in seconds. The gift cards, presents, and thank you notes are forgotten as we rush out of the room.

Cara passes me, not shy one bit in rushing out the front of the clubhouse. The spots that were empty two hours ago when I last checked are now filled with a row of black SUVs. The men are piling out of the vehicles, their women running to greet them. There are hugs and kisses, and big strong arms and hands holding handfuls of butts as they catch the happy females in their arms. I linger on the porch.

I know that there has been physical distance between Nate and me, and I missed him madly, but we’ve talked and FaceTimed every day. The conversations weren’t long, but he checked in to let me know he was safe, and it calmed my nerves a little. We talked first thing this morning, and he said he was exhausted. The only thing he wanted to do was come home, snuggle against me, and take the longest nap ever. I straightened the room, changed the sheets since Cara has been in there with me all week, but the look on his face when he spots me doesn’t make me think a nap is what the man really wants.

I slowly make my way down the stairs when my legs are urging me to break the land-speed record to get to him. He looks just as wound up. I watch his hand release the strap of his duffel bag, and he nearly trips over it when it falls to his feet.