Page 17 of Wyatt (The Black Roses MC #5)

It was almost enough to drown out the lingering fear: if they knew who his father really was—or that I’d been keeping it a secret all these years, especially after everything that happened with the Bone Breakers last year—would they still be here?

Colby is on cloud nine after the game, and everyone tells him what a good job he did.

It reminds me of when we were in high school and I’d see the entire club show up for Ozzy, Knox and Linc’s football games.

I would be there playing in the marching band, and I’d see nearly everyone who was here today cheering for the guys back then.

When I was pregnant with Colby, I never imagined he would have that in his life, but I was wrong, and I’ve never been so happy about being wrong in my life.

We drop Elaine off at her house with a promise to pick her up next weekend. She tells Colby what a great game he played, and if he works hard, she has no doubt he’ll make it to the majors.

Then she turns to me and says something that has me nearly in tears. “Your grandmother would be so proud of you.”

I swallow hard and nod, not trusting my voice in that moment.

Elaine smiles and looks back at Colby. “He’s a great kid, Maizie. No one will ever be able to take that away from you.”

When she gets out of the car, I wonder what she means by that. I’ve made damn sure that no one can take him away, and as long as her grandson stays out of the picture, no one ever will.

After getting home, I make Colby a snack and then start cleaning the house to keep my mind occupied and off the impending date I have tonight with Steven. Jesus, impending ? That's a horrible way to think about it. I’m just nervous. And second-guessing saying yes.

It’s not as though I have many offers from guys around here, and it’s not as though I’ve been interested in anyone I know. Well, except for one guy, but he’s out of the realm of possibilities for me, and I need to stop thinking about the what-ifs that will never be.

No, this is good. It’s exciting. At least I should feel excited.

No, I am excited. I blow out a breath as I’m scrubbing a spot on my stove that was probably clean several minutes ago.

This whole dating thing isn’t off to the best start if I’m standing here having to convince myself that I’m looking forward to tonight.

“Mommy, can you put my movie on?”

Colby’s voice breaks me out of the surge of self-doubt that’s been plaguing me since we got home from the game.

“Yup.”

We head into the living room, and I put his favorite movie on. Then I make my way to my room to take a shower. It’s not an everything shower since there will be nothing happening tonight that would require that, but I’d like to show up not smelling like furniture polish.

As I’m finishing up my makeup, Mia texts me.

Mia: We’ll be there in 30. Heads-up, Wyatt and Pepper are coming too, if that’s ok.

I’ll never say no to my kid spending time with his favorite furry friend.

I saw Wyatt at the game, but Pepper wasn’t with him.

Before we left, Colby asked Wyatt if Pepper could come over tonight.

Of course, he said yes, and I told Wyatt that Mia was watching Colby tonight since I have a date.

I saw what looked like disappointment turn down the corners of his mouth for a brief second, but it was gone and replaced with a smile before I could make heads or tails of it.

Me: Yeah, Colby invited him.

Mia: Okay, see you soon.

I toss my phone on the bed and look at my outfit. I wore something similar when Wyatt came over to watch Colby for me last week. I remember that flash of heat I saw in his eyes. How much I liked seeing it there.

Not thoughts you should be having right before a first date with another guy, Mia.

When I change into my outfit, I’m instantly glad this is the one Mia picked. I’m comfortable and don’t feel like I’m dressing up and putting on a show. It seems to take some of the pressure off, and I’m definitely all for that.

Heading into the living room, I see Colby sprawled on the couch, staring blankly at the bright colors on the screen.

“Why don’t you take a little nap, bud. Then you’ll have energy to play when everyone gets here.”

He turns on his side and pulls the blanket over him, cocooning himself. He’s always done that, even as a baby. I used to call him my little burrito because he’d wrap himself tightly in any blanket lying around and fall asleep within two minutes.

I head into the kitchen, make myself a cup of tea, and grab my phone. Might as well do a little doomscrolling before Mia gets here. I don’t post on social media much, but I always make sure to stick one of those smiley face emojis over Colby. There are too many weirdos out there.

My old roommate, Emily, posted a picture of her in a bikini on some tropical vacation.

Emily, Taylor, and I haven’t stayed close throughout the years.

Not that I blame them. Our lives took completely different turns, and we’re all busy.

I love seeing their accomplishments, even if it’s just on social media.

They will always hold a special place in my heart.

Seeing their posts reminds me of a time when I took control of my future and escaped the confines of my parents' rules. Even though I’m back in Shine, it’s because I made that choice—no one forced me.

The caption on her picture reads: I’m never leaving. Good for her. I wish I had the time and money to take a vacation like that. Hell, I wish I had the confidence to wear a bikini like that and post it.

After having Colby, there have been changes to my body.

Not that anyone saw my pre-baby body—except on the night he was conceived.

The stretch marks and dimples that appeared after pregnancy haven’t troubled me too much, but I’d be lying if I said they didn’t make me a little more self-conscious, especially now that I’m dipping my toe in the dating pond.

I wish I could say I was the kind of person who doesn’t care if someone sees an imperfect body and feels less attracted to me. But the truth is, it would sting.

The few times I’ve been naked around anyone other than Colby’s father, the lights were off and we were under the covers. I didn’t do it intentionally, but I can’t say the darkness didn’t help me feel just a little more secure.

Jesus, I'm really getting ahead of myself. No one is seeing anyone naked anytime soon.

I look up from my phone, and from where I’m sitting at the kitchen table, I have the perfect view of Colby’s head lolling to the other side of the couch. He’s passed out cold. I do the most mom thing ever—walk over, kneel beside him, and just watch him sleep with a small smile tugging at my lips.

I used to do this every night when he was a baby. I’d sit next to his crib for what felt like hours, memorizing the rise and fall of his chest.

Sometimes, if my grandmother happened to pass by the open door, she’d step in and rest a hand on my shoulder.

No words—just a quiet moment between generations.

She knew. She understood that once you laid eyes on the little human you made, your life would never be the same.

I know it broke her heart when she cut contact with my mother.

That was her baby, but she couldn’t stand to see what my mother and father did to their scared, pregnant daughter.

Colby and I became her center until the day she died.

The sound of a motorcycle stopping in front of my house pulls me from my thoughts.

Mia and Knox get off his bike while Wyatt’s truck pulls up behind them.

He walks around to the passenger door and opens it, allowing Pepper to jump out and make his way through my yard, stopping and sniffing every couple of feet.

Wyatt strolls over to where Mia is unpacking the saddlebags on Knox’s bike.

She starts handing him a few things that look like ingredients to make the cupcakes she was bragging about using to get her the number one spot on Colby’s list. When Pepper gets a little too close to my neighbor’s front yard, Wyatt whistles, and the dog comes trotting over to him.

I open the door, and Pepper notices me right away. I can tell he wants to run inside and find who he’s really here to see, but Wyatt hasn’t given him the command yet.

When Wyatt looks at me waiting in my doorway, his smile turns up the corner of his mouth.

“Hey, Maizie,” he greets as he makes his way over. “Where's Colby?”

“Sleeping on the couch,” I say, nodding toward the inside of my house. “Come on in and wake him up.”

“Inside,” Wyatt commands, and the dog takes off running past me and into the living room. Seconds later, giggles erupt from Colby.

“Pepper!” he exclaims.

Wyatt climbs the stairs, and before he brushes past me, his gaze travels the length of my body. The heat in his eyes is unmistakable, and so is the moment his gaze shutters. “You look nice.”

The nearness of him stutters the breath in my lungs. “Thank you,” I reply lamely.

He gives me a tight smile then ventures into the house to set the bags he's carrying in the kitchen.

“Hey, sister,” Mia says, walking into the house with a couple more bags, followed by Knox.

“What’s all this?” I ask, peeking inside. I see more than just cupcake ingredients.

“Just some stuff I had lying around. When I see something at the store and think Colby might like it, I pick it up. I figure I can use it for his birthday or Christmas or something,” Mia says nonchalantly. I don’t buy it for a second.

I pull a box out of one of the bags. “You spend much time in the Lego aisle?” Then I pull out a puzzle box with a motorcycle on the front. “Or the puzzle aisle?”

“Sometimes I like to see what they have. Figured it would give us something to do tonight,” she responds.

“You’re not trying to buy his affection?” I ask.

“Oh, she one-hundred-percent is,” Knox answers for his woman, leaning down to kiss the top of her head.

Mia smacks him in the chest, and I smile.

“He’ll love it.” I look at the time on my phone.

“Shit, I gotta go.” Walking into the living room, I find Colby on the floor petting Pepper, who is furiously wagging his tail.

“Come give me a hug.” I open my arms and Colby hops up and wraps his around my waist.

“Bye, Mommy.”

I kiss the crown of his head. “Be good. And try not to feed Pepper any human food tonight,” I add in, remembering the other night when that dog nearly gassed me out of my own house.

Colby giggles. “Come on, Pepper, let’s go play.”

My son and the dog take off through the kitchen, briefly giving Knox, Wyatt, and Mia a quick hello before I hear the back door slam shut.

Mia walks into the living room as I’m putting my phone in my purse. “Nervous?” she asks.

“A little.”

She gives me a warm smile and a hug. “It’ll be great,” she says. “You’ll see.”

The date is, in fact, not great. It’s not necessarily bad, but I think I need to make a new note to myself that the last thing I should do before a date is see Wyatt.

Getting butterflies in your belly for the man you can’t have when you’re about to meet a man who is a possibility isn’t the greatest way to jump into the dating scene.

The food is delicious, and Steven is kind and funny.

But there’s no…spark or sizzle. Shouldn’t there be something along those lines the first time you meet someone?

He’s attractive, there’s no doubt. And he didn’t lie about his height, which I’ve heard happens on these apps.

His dark hair sets off his light-brown eyes.

But the color isn’t the deep whiskey color with flecks of gold that I find incredibly sexy on a certain biker… Oh my God. Stop it.

“Okay, here’s an important question,” Steven says, setting down his fork and staring me in the eye. “Cats or dogs.”

“Dogs,” I reply immediately, thinking about the way Colby laughs around Pepper.

“Ohh, I’m a cat guy.”

“Cat guy?” I’ve never heard someone put it like that.

“Cat…man?”

We laugh, and I shake my head before taking a sip of my iced tea. “Honestly, I don’t have the time for anything living in my house other than my son. A friend of mine has a dog that Colby loves, so he brings him over a lot.”

“Maybe Colby would like cats, too. I can bring mine over and see,” Steven says, then grimaces.

“Sorry, that was a little forward. This is a first date. I guess I just feel like I kind of know you already. It’s been a real treat getting to know you through messages.

Gives me something to look forward to.” His smile is sweet…

but other than that, I don’t feel much of anything.

His smile doesn’t hold the cool confidence of— Nope. Not going there .

I shake my head and redirect my thoughts before returning Steven’s smile. “I completely understand. But there’re a lot of steps between now and meeting my son.”

Steven nods. “Absolutely. I would never presume that you would be comfortable enough with me right away.”

“Thank you. Honestly, this is the first date I’ve had in years. And I never made it to the stage of introducing Colby to someone.” I groan and immediately cover my face with my hands. “I probably shouldn’t have admitted that, huh?”

Steven chuckles and pulls my hand away from my face. “Hey, it’s alright, Maizie. I’m sure being a single mom keeps you plenty busy. I’m just glad you carved out a little time for me today.”

My smile widens. He really is a nice guy. There’re no creepy vibes coming from him, and so far he’s been the perfect gentleman. “Thank you. I’m having a good time.”

I would probably be having a better time if my thoughts didn’t keep straying back to Wyatt and the way he looked at me when he came over today. Or the flutter in my chest when he had a glass of wine ready for me after a long shift at the bar.

Stop it, Maizie. You’re here with Steven. A nice accountant who is interested in you and isn’t a biker or your boss.

We finish dinner, and Steven walks me to my car. He doesn’t try to kiss me, but he does lean in for a hug. It’s a nice hug…but still no flicker of attraction.

“Drive home safely,” he says, opening my door.

“You too.” I give him a smile, and he shuts my door.

I’m not sure if he’ll ask me out on a second date, but he seemed to have fun. I’d give it another shot. It could just be an off night for me. It could be me being so nervous. It could be a million things that’re keeping me from feeling the excitement that should be there.

Problem is, I have a very strong feeling it’s one thing in particular—or to be more precise, one person.