Walk the Line (Kings of Chaos 5)

laughed. “I would have paid money to see that.”

“It still happens. Your daughter is beautiful.”

“Thank you. I still can’t believe she’s here.”

“It’s an adjustment once you have them.”

“Do you have children?” Blue asked.

“One girl, Whitney. She just started her freshman year in Virginia this year.”

“You do not look old enough to have a baby in college,” Ruth says.

I laugh. “Thank you for that.”

“So when are you and Echo going to add to your family?” Ruth asks Dixie Rose.

“Maybe in another year or so. I just got the new job, and we’re enjoying each other and the house. We had so much keeping us apart for so long.” She sighs.

I don’t know their story, but it seems like it was full of pain.

“But that’s all over now,” Blue says.

“I’m glad some good came of it at least,” Dixie Rose replies.

“I’m lost.”

“The old Bylaws were…” Ruth trails off

“Racist,” Dixie supplies.

My mouth forms an O.

“They only allowed white and Hispanic members into the club, and some members, Echo’s Father, in particular, took that mentality too far,” Dixie Rose says.

“Wow. I’m sorry. I’m from the Deep South, so, I get it.”

“Stone squashed it. They voted to change the laws and took out the garbage. It’s a better environment now. So I don’t want you worrying about anything,” Blue says.

There’s a moment of silence and sadness that falls over the table. I’m missing something. I don’t know them well enough to pry, so I make a mental note to ask Jagger later.

“Where’s Tinley?” I ask as I watch the children interact. All the little ones running around make me miss that stage in life. They’re so sweet and curious at that age. They almost make me want another one with their baby hands, chubby faces, and sweet smells.

“She had to work today,” Ruth says.

“She’s such a good mom. I feel bad that her douche bag back home is being a dick and denying Cody,” Dixie Rose says.

“She’s not going after him for a Paternity test?” I ask surprised she’d let it slide.

“Not that I know of.”

I wonder why.

“Maybe he’s more trouble than the money he’d send would be worth,” Ruth suggests.

“She works hard, but she also makes good money. She doesn’t need anything from him, and maybe that’s for the best,” Nevada suggests.

“Not everyone is built to be a parent, that’s for sure,” I agree.