Page 43 of Ruin (Hell’s Mayhem MC: Maine Chapter #2)

Chapter Forty-Two

Kolton

Community Day.

I’m not sure if this is going to be an annual thing or what.

Coyote didn’t give me a solid answer on why I was putting this thing together, but it’s in full swing now and he’s smiling a mile wide.

I feel like he has something up his sleeve, something he isn’t telling us about.

That could just be my hatred for him talking.

Who knows? We’ll see soon enough. Secrets don’t stay hidden forever.

“What actually is going on here?” Grizz asks from beside me.

I glance at him because he wasn’t there a second ago. I do a double take when I see him wearing a baby carrier with the baby in it.

“That suits you,” I mutter.

It’s meant to be an insult, but he grins.

“Thanks, man. I was thinking the same. Though, I do wish it was pink. ”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t know,” I say, answering his question. “He hasn’t told me shit.”

Grizz grunts. “Hasn’t said a thing to me either.”

“I’m not surprised, though I am growing more and more concerned.”

“I think we all are, but of course, no one will say it.”

“Not really sure why. If we all think it, we can get rid of his ass.”

“Don’t say that shit too loud, Snapper. Not here.”

I shake my head and change the subject to something safer.

“How’s Dad life?”

He barks out a laugh, startling the baby. He runs his hand over her hand, shushing her. He cares about her. I can see it in his gentle touches and the way he looks at her.

“It’s terrifying. She’s not even mine, and—”

“She’s yours,” I say firmly. “Don’t say that shit.”

“I don’t know,” he says, sounding unsure.

“What exactly does that mean?” Grizz gives me a strange look, and I raise a brow. “What?”

“You’re chatty today.”

“Calling me out on it only makes me want to shut up.”

He laughs again, this time quieter.

“I don’t know what’s going on with Ana. She’s hot and cold.”

“She just had a fucking baby.”

“I just mean… some days it feels like she wants me around and some days she’s pushing me away.”

“Like I said… she just had a baby. ”

He makes a non-committal sound, and we stand there, watching the crowd of people without saying a word. It’s a beautiful day and the whole town is here. Coyote is walking around, chatting with people and smiling like he’s the mayor. Then it hits me. I know what this is.

That slimy asshole.

“He’s scouting,” I say quietly.

“You think?”

“Look at him. What else would he be doing?”

Grizz’s eyes follow Coyote as he pats some guy on the shoulder, nodding his head as he listens to what the guy says.

“Why wouldn’t he tell us?”

“Because we’d argue,” I say with a huff. “Prick better not make it seem like I had anything to do with this.”

It gets silent again as we keep watching. Grizz is swaying back and forth, keeping the baby quiet.

“So, you and the doctor?” he asks.

I choke on my spit. “Excuse me?”

Grizz smirks, staring ahead and not making eye contact. He shrugs. “I don’t care, Snapper. Just asking.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. It’ll come out eventually. May as well just let it out now instead of lying about it.

“Yeah.”

“Where is he?”

“Should be here soon.”

He nods then says, “Her name is Dorothea. It means ‘gift of God.’ ”

“If you believe in that sort of thing.”

“Ana does.”

“I suppose she would after what she survived.”

“You think she’s scared of me?” he asks. I frown, slowly turning toward him. “You know, because of the MC. They fucked her up. Maybe that’s why she’s pushing me away?”

“I don’t know, Grizz. Maybe?”

“Thanks, that’s totally what I wanted to hear.”

I huff out an annoyed sound. This is why I don’t talk to people. Everything I say is wrong.

“That’s something you need to ask her. How the fuck should I know what she’s thinking? I hardly know her.”

“You look thirsty.” I glance to my side, finding Lucian there. I can’t help but smile. I take the beer he offers. He looks around me to Grizz. “And for you.” He hands him a beer too.

“Well, fuck.” He takes the bottle and brings it to his lips. “Thanks.”

“It’s no problem.” Lucian sips his own beer. “So, what are we gossiping about?”

“We aren’t gossiping,” I say.

“Hm, that’s too bad. I love a juicy piece of gossip.”

“I heard the Hendersons are considering divorce,” Grizz says, pointing to a couple about our age. They look like they’d rather be getting anal exams than be here.

“How the fuck did you hear that?” I ask.

Grizz shrugs. “I don’t know. I just did. ”

Lucian chuckles, trying to hide his smile behind his beer bottle before taking a sip. I watch his throat bob when he swallows, the urge to lean in and lick it is almost too much to ignore.

“How’s she doing?” Lucian asks, gesturing to the baby.

“She’s great,” Grizz says. “Ana’s doing good, too.”

“Where is she?” Lucian asks.

“Cora kidnapped her.”

I chuckle.

“Cora?” Lucian asks.

“Kaison’s girl,” I explain.

“Ah,” he says with a nod. “I’d like to meet her.”

“Would you, now?”

“Sure. He’s been like a—”

“Don’t say it.” I hold up my hand.

Grizz laughs. So does Lucian.

“Good point,” he adds.

The last thing I need is for him to tell me how Kaison was like a son to him… for obvious reasons.

The three of us walk around, trying to find Ana and Cora. They’re with my brother and Spam.

“Hey, is she okay?” Ana asks when we reach them.

“Still sleeping,” Grizz answers.

“Thank God,” she says with a laugh. “She had me up most of the night feeding.”

“That sounds horrible and amazing all at the same time,” Cora says.

“Lucian,” Shark greets with caution in his tone .

“Shark,” Lucian responds, respectfully so. Around the club, we use our club names. I didn’t tell him that, but he should know from hanging around with my father long enough. “I hear you’re seeing someone?”

“I’m Cora,” she says with a wave.

“Lucian. I’m an old family friend.”

“Old is right,” Shark says, and I glare at him, but Lucian chuckles.

I’m sure he knows my brother enough to know he’s going to give him a hard time, I just hope it isn’t enough that it’ll cause problems.

“I haven’t been able to thank you properly,” Ana says, walking over to Lucian and taking his hand. “I cannot express how grateful I am to you.”

“Truly, it was my pleasure. It is by far the most beautiful thing in life.”

She smiles, letting go of his hand and then stopping in front of me. My breath catches in my throat.

“How are you, Snapper?” she asks.

“I’m… fine.”

A soft smile forms on her lips. “I’m glad to hear it.” She puts her hand on my upper arm, giving it a little squeeze. “Thank you. For everything you’ve done for me.”

“You’re welcome,” I say, swallowing hard. There’s a lump in my throat, and I don’t know why .

With one more soft squeeze, she lets go of my arm and walks over to Grizz. She rests her head against his chest, looking down at Dorothea. She’s quite cute, I’ll admit.

“I should have asked who knows about us, if any,” Lucian says quietly.

“That would have been a wise conversation.”

“So?” he urges.

“Maybe I shouldn’t tell you and let you sweat.”

“If anyone will be sweating, it’s you. I don’t care who knows.”

Good point.

“Shark. Grizz.”

He nods, smirking.

“So, what exactly are we supposed to be doing here?” Spam asks, staring out at the crowd with the same annoyed look me and Grizz had a few minutes ago.

“No fucking clue,” I say.

“You organized it.”

“Because Prez told me to.”

“And he told you nothing?” Spam asks.

Shark slaps him upside the head. “Don’t talk to him like that.”

“I’m just asking a question. Damn,” he complains.

“Well, don’t,” Shark grunts.

I roll my eyes just as a loud bell starts going off.

“What the fuck is that?” Grizz asks, putting his hands over the baby’s ears.

“Time for games,” I say with a roll of my eyes .

“Games? What the fuck is this?” Shark asks.

“Community Day,” I say as we head over to the field to watch the games begin. If I’m lucky, there will be bloodshed. Preferably, Coyote’s.