I would have to have been deaf not to hear the scold in her tone. Guilt slammed into me, and I nodded. “Yeah, I’m not going to keep them from each other now. And since Grandpa is gone, I’ll have to take over running Barker Construction, so it’s not like we are going anywhere.”
She fell back on her bed, relaxing for the moment. “I’m so sad Uncle Chaz is gone, but I’m glad you’re here, Jos,” she admitted. Turning her head, Raven locked her green eyes on mine. “You and Reid belong with us. You know that, right?”
A lump filled my throat, making it impossible to speak. Nodding, I turned away from the door and tossed the towel onto the sink before climbing into the shower. I’d always known I belonged here. If I’d had a choice, I would have lived with Dad and Grandpa instead of Mom. But I hadn’t been given that option.
The custody judge wouldn’t even think about giving the two one-percenters custody of me when they tried to take me away from Mom. They had records, weren’t fit to be full-time guardians in the court’s eyes. But the court didn’t know my mother. A pack of wild wolves would have been better parental supervision for me than that heinous cunt.
The tension in my body, along with the stickiness, was washed away by the jets, and the hot water felt like heaven. I needed to wash my hair twice before I could add conditioner, then made quick work of the rest of my body.
I didn’t linger in the shower. With everyone in the clubhouse showering periodically throughout the day, the hot water never lasted long, so I knew better than to take more than a few minutes of enjoyment from the hot spray. When I walked back into the bedroom, my dirty clothes were no longer in a pile on the floor, and Raven and Rei
d were gone.
A fresh set of my clothes, including underwear and a bra, were folded on the end of the bed, and I dressed quickly and finger-combed my hair since Raven didn’t have anything I could find that wouldn’t cause more harm than good to my curly hair. Not caring about my blond curls turning into a mop, I let them air-dry as I went in search of my son.
I found him in the kitchen, sitting in a high chair beside his cousin, eating a messy plate of spaghetti. My heart melted at the sight of him covered in marinara sauce, a noddle sticking to his cheek. I snapped a picture of the cuteness with my phone, then one of Max who was just as much of an adorable mess as Reid.
As I was taking their pictures, Reid offered a handful of pasta to his younger cousin. Max leaned forward in his chair, eating out of Reid’s hand. I snapped a picture of it and quickly sent a copy to Raven’s phone before she could ask. I hoped these two would always be like this, that they could be best friends as well as cousins.
“Eat,” Aggie commanded, pushing a plate loaded with spaghetti and crusty garlic bread into my hands. “Park your butt over there beside that baby and eat before I take this spoon to your behind, girl.”
Feeling loved by her motherly gruffness, I did as she ordered. Around me, there were at least a dozen other women making plates for the rest of the clubhouse. Some of them smiled at me, but they didn’t interrupt my dinner with questions about Tanner. Raven must have been keeping everyone up to date. I was glad, because I was pretty sure I would have done bodily harm to anyone who disturbed me while I inhaled the life-giving perfection of Aggie’s food.
Using the last bite of my bread to wipe my plate clean, I stuffed it into my mouth then licked my fingers.
“Raven, do you think Doc will let Tanner have some spaghetti once he’s settled at the hospital?” Aggie asked.
“I don’t think he’s being allowed solid food right now, Ag,” Raven informed her. “Right, Jos?”
I shook my head. “We couldn’t even get him to take broth yesterday.”
“Well, I’ll just make his favorites when he decides he’s hungry,” the old woman announced with determination.
“Good idea,” Flick agreed. “We’ll all help, won’t we, ladies?”
They all agreed, everyone seeming eager to help in any way they could.
My phone buzzing had everyone turning to look at me. Wiping my mouth with a napkin, I pulled it out of my pocket. Seeing it was Matt, I blew out a sigh and lifted it to my ear. “Yes, your highness?”
“We will be arriving at the hospital in about forty-five minutes. Jet and Colt will bring you. Don’t give them any lip.”
I used my napkin to wipe Reid as clean as I could get him, noticing the red sauce had already started to stain his face and hands. “I’m sure you can oversee getting him comfortable tonight.”
“Bring the boy,” he commanded, ignoring my comment.
“I’m not bringing him to the damn hospital. Any mother in this room will agree with me that the hospital is no place for a baby.” I looked at Raven, who was already nodding in agreement.
“Tanner wants both you and his son with him.” Matt’s voice held little room for argument.
Not that I would argue about it. That was just a waste of breath. I just point-blank wasn’t going to comply.
“Tanner can suck it up. I’ll think about coming to the hospital later, but I’m a little busy at the moment. Reid needs a bath and—”
“There are ten different women there who could give the kid a bath, Joslyn.” Matt’s voice rumbled.
My shoulders stiffened as I lifted my son from his high chair. “And oddly enough, I’m the only one who gave birth to him. Take good care of your brother, Matthew.” I hung up and carried Reid out of the kitchen.
“You can use my bathroom again,” Raven offered as she carried Max behind me. “These two seem to get along so well, and they love splashing in the bathtub together.”