Page 33

Flash

T oday is the day. It’s time to not only tell Jake just how deep my feelings are for him, but it’s time to ask him to be my Ol’ Man officially. As soon as I got the news that the patches had arrived, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. It’s been killing me to not tell him how much I love him and that I want him to not only be my partner but my Ol’ Man too, but I wanted to wait until I had those patches in hand. I wanted to make the first time I told him how I really feel unforgettable, and what better way to do that than asking him to be my Ol’ Man at the same time?

Other than the other guys who have their own Ol’ Men patches to add to their kuttes, the only other person who knows what I plan to do today is Micah. It’s why he said he wanted to go to The Clubhouse after school; he wants to be there, and that just warms my heart. I know Jake has come to mean a lot to Micah since he started living with us; he sees him as another big brother, another guardian, someone he knows he can rely on for the rest of his life.

I’ve even kept my plans away from Piston, not because I didn’t want him to know what I had planned, but because you never know who’s listening and will have loose lips, and there was no way in hell that I was going to chance having my plans ruined by someone not being able to keep their mouths shut. For bikers, some of my brothers are massive fucking gossips. They can’t keep a secret to save their goddamn lives.

Entering The Clubhouse just before Jake is due back with Micah, I smile when I see my Mom sitting around one of the tables with Blaze, Shock, Gunner, and June. It’s a recent development with them spending time together around the MC; they’ve been sticking to places where they have more privacy. It makes sense when you think about all the time they have to make up for. They’ve certainly been making up for lost time; it’s not often to see them apart. It’s still not widely known about the past they share; it’s their decision when and if they decide to share that with everyone. They’re all just enjoying getting to spend time together and figuring out where things are going. Blaze, Shock, Gunner, and June have all come to me separately to tell me just how much my Mom means to them, and that even though they are hoping to figure out a way to be together once again, they aren’t going to rush my Mom. They all know she needs time to just heal. They all clearly have her best interests at heart, and honestly, I can’t wait until the day they figure everything out and get back together. I might not have noticed it before with my Mom missing from the group, but with what I know now, it’s clear to me they all belong together.

The sound of laughter from behind me grabs my attention, and I turn just in time to see Micah and Jake walking through the door. Both are laughing loudly at whatever they’re talking about. I love seeing them both this way. They look up as they step further into The Common Room and spot me. They start heading straight towards me. I feel a tap on my shoulder and look over to see Wrath holding a small box.

“Thank you.” I say as I take it from him, knowing inside is the patch for not only Jake’s kutte but my own too. I wanted him to see them both so he knows I want him to claim me just as much as I want to officially claim him.

“What do you have there?” Jake asks as he closes the gap between us.

“You’ll see.” I tell him. “Can I have everyone’s attention for a minute, please?” I say loudly into the room.

Everyone immediately stops what they’re doing and turns their attention to where I’m standing in the middle of the room with Jake in front of me and Micah now standing next to me.

“Jake, from the moment you stepped in front of a bullet for me, you’ve changed my life. You not only saved my life with your actions that day, but you’ve been saving me every day since. You helped me heal from the heartbreak that had been ruling my life for so long. You gave me something I didn’t realize I was missing; you burrowed your way through the walls I’d built around myself. Your unwavering support and care meant everything to me, and before I knew it, I’d given you my heart. I love you more than I could ever adequately put into words, but I’m hoping my actions will help to show you just how much you mean to me. Will you do me the honor of not only being my partner in life but also my Ol’ Man too?”

I open the box in my hand, showing him the patches for us both spread out inside. I watch as he looks down, his eyes filling with tears but a massive smile on his handsome face.

“I love you too, and I’d be honored to be your Ol’ Man and wear your patch.”

“Oh, thank God. You won’t be the only one wearing a patch. Mine showing I’m claimed by you are in here too. I want the world to not only know that you’re mine but that I’m yours too.”

“I’m more than okay with that. It means I won’t have to get my name tattooed on your forehead so that all those people that keep trying to check you out and ask you out know you’re taken.”

“They can look and ask all they want; I’ll never want anyone but you. You have my heart.”

“And you have mine.” He says before closing the gap between us and kissing me.

Even though all I want to do is get lost in him right now, that’s not really possible with the cheering and shouting currently going on as everyone celebrates us. We break apart when I hear a feminine cough from next to us and see my Mom standing there with the biggest smile on her face.

“I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. The love that’s between you is what everyone strives to find. Jake, I can’t thank you enough for bringing my son back to me. I know things have been hard for him over the last few years, but you helped him heal in ways none of us could imagine he would. Welcome to the family.”

“Thank you, and I love you, Mom.” I say as I give her a quick hug.

She pulls back and pats the side of my face as she speaks, “I couldn’t be prouder of you, Deacon. You took a chance and ended up finding the perfect person for you.”

She turns and heads back towards where she was sitting before, and I don’t miss the looks of longing shared between the group sitting there. Hopefully they’ll figure things out between them soon, before everyone else starts seeing what I do and decides to stick their noses in and try and be matchmakers.