Ignite (The Disciples 4)

“Fucking Granger,” I grumble, causing Juliet to smile. “Not you too. It’s bad enough with your mother.” I take the steps and she opens the front door, glaring at me as I smirk.

“What?” I look at her and grit my teeth. She looks phenomenal. Of course, she does. We’re going on our first date since the twins were born, and I’m taking her to see the Stuffed Muffins.

I now have a Grammy sitting on the fireplace mantel. “Untouched” not only became a hit, but won Best Song, and the album won Album of the Year. Since fucking Rhys made sure I got credit as the songwriter, I’ve made so much money, I donate it to women’s shelters.

“You know we’re taking the bike, baby.” I hand her Juliet so I can take a quick shower. “Your hair is gonna get all fucked up.”

She smiles and holds her shoulders back. She’s wearing a tight pink T-shirt that says the Dicks on it, her flat stomach showing no indication that she ever gave birth to twins. I reach for her as I walk by.

“Axel,” she screams. “Stop! Don’t mess me up.” She spins away.

I mumble, “I’m definitely gonna mess you up tonight.”

Doug lets out a tortured sound. “God, you two. Just go. Do it now, upstairs. I can’t take the—”

“Shh, Doug. We’re late. Go get ready, Axel.” Her big eyes shift toward me and I smirk as I smack her ass in her white jeans. “You know what they say about women who wear white jeans?” I call out as I take the stairs to the master bedroom that we painted a soft celery green. French doors lead out to a balcony. And there’s a bathroom the size of a regular room. I have to say, the large tub and shower were worth every penny we spent on this place.

All of us still stay over at the clubhouse when needed, but this has slowly become my home. I could be living in a tent in Alaska and if it had my girls, I’d be okay.

My phone vibrates. I’m almost ready to get into the shower. I know it’s Blade saying that he and Eve are already there, so I ignore it.

Yeah, I decided to surprise Antoinette with taking her to see them. The band’s in town for two nights at the Forum and we’re meeting up with Granger and the others after the show.

I quickly wash, in and out of the shower in under five minutes. Thinking of my old bandmate, I remind myself I need an attitude change. Antoinette loves me. She’s not gonna run off with Granger.

It’s been years since I’ve seen him. It’s time. I dress and run my hands through my hair, grabbing my cigarettes and car keys. I’m a dick, but my girl looks gorgeous and this is going to be a special night, so we’ll take Luscious and not my bike.

As I walk down the steps, I hear them gossiping together.

“Stop it, Doug. Of course, Robert will say yes.” Antoinette’s voice sounds like she’s reading a fairy tale.

Doug messes with her hair, smiling. “Well, we shall see. I’m excited and ner—”

“What’s up?” I saunter in and watch my twins crawl around on the floor with what looks like fifty toys all spread around. Well, Michelle crawls. Juliet rolls, but she gets everywhere as fast as her sister, so whatever.

“Oh my God, Axel. Doug is going to ask Robert to marry him. Isn’t it romantic and wonderful?” She arches a brow at me, knowing full well how I feel about marriage.

I nod. “Big commitment, man. I mean, that’s it, old ball and chai—” Antoinette grabs my arm, laughing and putting a hand over my mouth.

“He doesn’t really mean it.” She says over her shoulder as I pull her close and bury my nose in her hair, inhaling my favorite scent.

“Let’s go,” I growl, reluctantly pulling back to look down at her beautiful face.

It hurts.

Sometimes I love her so much it hurts when I look at her. She’s my everything, my life, my reason to get up, my favorite thing in the whole world. Lacing my hand in hers, I grab my leather jacket. I can feel her slight disappointment that Doug is going to get married and she’s not.

It’s not that I don’t want to get married per se. It’s only that I made her my old lady already, and I don’t fuck around on her. I love her and I’ve made it clear I’m gonna spend the rest of my life with her. Why do we need that stupid piece of paper?

Except that she wants the paper. The other day, Blade and my brothers had a sit-down with me where they stumbled their way through telling me what a woman likes. Apparently that’s a big diamond ring and a wedding.