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I couldn’t believe it. I kept looking around, hoping to wake up from the dream, or more like the nightmare. However, no matter how many times I blinked, pinched myself, or mentioned it to someone, I got the same thing back. I saw the exact same thing every time I looked out across our yard behind the clubhouse. Annie stood there laughing and looking the happiest I’d ever seen as she clung to a man’s arm. A man who wasn’t me.

I’d been biding my time. With Lash and Troian married and Spawn and Kimera’s wedding out of the way in another month, I planned to make a move and finally ask Annie if she’d go out with me. I thought it best not to have any outside distractions when I did it. I should’ve known better than to wait.

My attraction to Annie had been growing for a while. As part of the club, I was used to her always being around. I’d been a part of the club for fifteen years and patched for fourteen. She’d always been a close friend to Reaper and, by extension, the rest of the club. She was an attractive woman, and even as she aged, that hadn’t changed. What changed was how I saw her.

As I got older, I began to lose interest in the wild partying and endless sex with countless women. I hadn’t known why until a couple of years ago when Reaper found Cheyenne, and Ink fell for her best friend, Alisse. That’s when it hit me. I wanted to have what they had—a woman who loved me and who I loved in return. In addition, I wanted to start a family. Sure, I’d thought about it on and off over the years, but that’s when it hit me hard—the time had come. When I acknowledged it, I began to see Annie as possibly more than a friend.

I’d dragged my feet with the excuse I needed to find the perfect time to ask her. First, I wondered what the rest of the guys would say about it. Would they be upset? I didn’t want permanent hard feelings between me and my brothers. Second, the last thing I wanted was for her to say no. In all the years I’d known her, I never recalled seeing her with a man on a date or hearing a word about her seeing anyone. I knew in her twenties, she’d been married for a short time, and it hadn’t been a good thing. This was according to Reaper, although he kept the details to himself. It was because of her not dating that I thought I had time. Well, the proof was right in front of me. I didn’t have time, and now it was too late.

Several of my brothers had mentioned they noticed her leaving town a lot over the past several months. Some commented that she seemed happier, dressing up more and wearing makeup. I’d joked and discounted it, even when it was suggested she might be seeing someone. I should’ve taken them seriously. Maybe if I had let her know what I wanted, I wouldn’t be standing here watching her introduce her fiancé to my entire club.

Suffice it to say, we’d all been surprised when she asked to bring someone to the club’s friends and family day. She didn’t need to ask, but she’d done it. She’d never bring anyone inappropriate. That should’ve been another clue. Looking back, there had been dozens of them, and we’d been blind, stupid fools for not picking up on them. When they arrived, she introduced him. Then, she told us that they were engaged. We went from surprised to shocked. I felt like someone had hit me between the eyes with a baseball bat or a two-by-four.

If they were merely dating, I would’ve tried to see if I could get her away from him. The fact they were engaged meant it was serious, and her heart was fixed on him. Only an idiot and an asshole would try to break that up. I wasn’t an asshole. Well, not to her. As for the idiot part, until today, I would’ve said I wasn’t one of those either, but I’d have to amend my statement. I was one for throwing away a possible chance with her.

Hearing her laughter float across the yard made my heart clench and my pissy mood worse. Deciding I’d had about enough, I wandered to the cooler to grab another beer. I’d stay just a bit longer and then head home. I’d rather wallow in self-pity without witnesses. From some of the sympathetic glances I’d been getting, I’d clearly given away my feelings for her before today. That wouldn’t do. I plastered on a smile and went to talk to a couple of my brothers.

I stuck it out for another hour and a half before I called it quits. Not bothering to say goodbye, I went to my house. It wasn’t far from the clubhouse and the backyard where the party was, but it was private. Not wanting to chance anyone deciding to come for a chat, I locked my doors. I let myself sink into a pity party with no one to witness it. I drank as I contemplated the lonely future ahead of me. I was turning forty-two in a month. What were the odds I’d find someone at this point? Sure, I know Bear and Bull in Hunters Creek and Diablo in the Horsemen had been older than me when they saw their old ladies, but those were rarities. I should just face it. There were no woman and kids in my future.

As that sank in more and more while I tossed back additional beers, I came to a conclusion. I didn’t need or want those things. Instead, I’d focus on having the time of my life. Those poor bastards who no longer could party whenever they wanted, had to go home to the same woman and pussy every night, and had to put up with crying kids were the ones to feel sorry for, not me. Hours later, I raised my beer with a shaky hand. Here’s to living the best life ever. I didn’t need any woman bewitching me—three cheers for the life of a bachelor.