Page 10 of Saige (Renegade Vipers MC #1)

Eight

Saige

I try to sleep after Cotton leaves my room, and I had texted Sloane and Loki to let them know the time we are leaving in the morning.

I toss and turn for a bit, but I am wide awake.

I need to bake. Some people turn to music, cleaning, drinking, whatever to calm them down, I bake.

I get up, change into a pair of shorts and a tank top.

I pull my hair back, then head for the kitchen.

I have to go through the bar to get to it, and I am hoping that I don’t run into Pyro.

Tires spots me as soon as I start through and comes over to me.

“Pyro is gone. Lynch sent him away. Had a couple of guys follow him and deliver him to Tonks. What’re you up to? ”

“Thank God he’s gone. I was dreading running into him. I can’t sleep. My mind is all jumbled up, so I’m going to bake. ”

He just smiles, gives me a tight hug. “Make us something good.”

I laugh as I walk into the kitchen. I get all the things out that I need to make a lemon blueberry pound cake.

It’s one of Dad’s favorites and I know several of the other guys like it.

It’s simple to make, and it gives me the peace I need to get my hands covered in flour.

I think about what happened with Pyro. What happened to him to make him act that way?

He’s always flirted and joked around, but he’s never said anything about wanting to date, or anything like that, until Club Myst. Have I just missed the signs because I don’t think of him in that light?

He knew how I felt about Cotton. Loki told him.

He had a weird look in his eyes that I’d noticed.

He had the same look in his eyes at the birthday party, at Myst too.

I mix everything together then gently fold in my blueberries.

After pouring it in the bundt pan, I place it in the oven.

Still needing something else to do, I make Bethany and the other kids some cupcakes.

Then I start on a pecan turtle ice cream cake.

I cover the pecans with caramel for an extra burst of flavor.

I get that in the freezer and clean up the mess I’ve made.

The pound cake and cupcakes are done, so I make icing for them both.

Just a light blueberry glaze for the pound cake, and a vanilla icing for the cupcakes.

I add a few drops of food coloring and swirl it to make it look tye dyed.

It’s now a cute pink and blue. I set everything in the fridge, then finish cleaning up my mess.

I’m still not sleepy. Maybe I should go back to my room and read some.

I’ve several MC books on my kindle. I love them, they’re my guilty pleasure.

I one-clicked so many books, by what are called indie authors.

I turn the light off to the kitchen and head back to my room.

The bar is empty now. Seems that the guys have finally drank all they wanted, I know a few of them were with a club girl.

I try to be quiet as I head back to my room. I turn down the hallway and see Beth at my door with Bethany. “Hey girl, what’s wrong?” I ask her.

“Oh, Saige, I’ve to go. My mom called, my aunt is in the hospital.

They don’t think she’s going to make it.

I was wondering if you would mind keeping Bethany for a couple of days?

I really don’t want to drag her into the hospital and be around all that.

She’s only two, I know she’ll want to run around and play. ” Beth has tears pouring down her face.

“Hey, calm down. Of course, I’ll keep her. I’m so sorry about your aunt. Who’s taking you to the hospital? I don’t think you should drive, also we’re to have a patch with us if we go out.” I hug her and take Bethany from her, trying my best not to wake her. Thank goodness she is a heavy sleeper .

Beth giggles, “Believe it or not, Dad said he would take me. I know that he and Mom don’t get along, especially since the divorce, but he really likes my aunt and they still talk a lot.”

“Okay, Beth. You go get ready. I have some outfits in here for Bethany. I promise to take good care of her. You call me if you need anything.” Beth hugs me again and takes off.

I get Bethany in my room, lay her on my bed while I get changed into pjs again, and pull out her little toddler bed that I have.

I get the sheets on it, then grab her favorite blanket of mine.

I gently move her from my bed to hers, I get into bed, grabbing my kindle.

I pull up the story I started on. It’s so good.

I get a few chapters read before my eyes start getting tired.

I look over to check on Bethany, then I go to sleep.

“Sai? Why is I in your room?” I look out of the bathroom at Bethany. I’ve already showered and dressed. I decide to leave my hair loose today. I rarely do that, but I know with all the stress today with going to look at these buildings, if I pull my thick hair up, it would help a headache along.

“Hey, sweetpea. Did you sleep well? Your momma had to go see your grandma and great aunt. So we’re going to have a sleepover for a few days.

Is that okay?” She looks up at me and smiles.

I knew she would like that. “Come on and let’s get you dressed.

We’re going to go out for breakfast with Loki, Cotton, and Sloane. How does that sound?”

“Yippee! Oh yeth. I wanna go!” I laugh as I get her dressed and fix her hair. There’s a knock at my door, and she runs over to open it before I can stop her. Cotton is there and he smiles down at Bethany but looks at me with a quizzical look.

“Beth had to go for a few days, so I have her.” He nods as he bends down to her level.

“Hey there, beautiful. Are you going out to eat with us?” She just grins really big, nods her head, her little braids bouncing off her shoulders.

“Alright, I think they have those happy face pancakes you like.” I laugh as her eyes get huge.

She is so excited. “You ready to go? Loki and Sloane are in the common room waiting on us.” I smile at him, grab my purse and her extra clothes, I know she gets messy when she eats, and we are off.

Bethany runs up and hugs Loki’s leg. “I go with you. I want thmiley face pancakes.”

Loki laughs as he picks her up. “You do? Wonder if they’ll let me and Sloane order those pancakes? Or are they just for special little girls? ”

She laughs, “You too old.”

“Too old? Oh, man. I really want those pancakes.” He pouts at her.

“I thare. Don’t cry, Loki.” I smile watching the byplay. Loki will be such a great father someday. I sigh.

“What was that about?” Cotton asks. All of them look at me.

“I’m starving and whittling away to nothing, and y’all are just standing here talking about pancakes. My stomach is gnawing on itself,” I say laughing. They all laugh too.

“Well let’s go. I can’t have you dying of hunger on my watch.

” He winks at me. I grab Bethany’s car seat from the hall closet, as we head outside.

Loki and Sloane are getting on his bike, as Cotton heads over to his truck.

“Come on, I’ll drive.” Bethany takes my hand and we follow Cotton.

He gets her seat in, helps her in and buckles her up.

Then he opens my door. I look at him and as I go to thank him, he leans in and kisses me.

Just a soft little kiss. Then he lifts me up, putting me in the truck, then shuts my door.