Wrapping the towel around my body I rubbed another towel through my hair. I felt exhausted. Physically and mentally drained.
Plugging my hair dryer in I sat cross legged in front of my mirror. Today was going to be a good day. Taking a deep breath my make up bag caught my eye. I wasn’t big on makeup, but I needed something to cover the bags under my eyes.
Once I had finished with my face I started on my hair. Yes, today was going to be a good day.
Slipping on my best jeans I tucked my t-shirt inside and pulled on my leather jacket. Looking at myself in the mirror I smiled.
“Damn sweetheart”. Feeling his presence behind me he placed his hands on my hips. “How’d I get so lucky?”.
“Still got it”. I smirked placing my hands on top of his.
“Baby you’ll always have it”. Burying his face in my neck I felt his lips against my skin.
“Blaze”. I sighed.
“I’m sorry sweets”. Turning me around so I was facing him he pressed his forehead against mine. “You deserve so much better than me”.
“No, I’m sorry”. I sighed “I knew what I was getting into when I came back here. I knew as soon as I saw you again that I wouldn’t be able to leave. I always knew I’d end up back here. This is my home. You and Everleigh are my life, and we belong here. I’m just having an off day”.
“You’re lonely because I’m never here. I will do better babe”.
“I know”. I whispered. Nothing was going to change because it couldn’t if anything when he became president it would only get worse. “Right, I’m going to have a coffee please spend some time with your daughter before you go”. Kissing his cheek, I yelped as his hand smacked off my ass.
“Definitely still got it”. He smirked causing me to roll my eyes.
As I filled the kettle, I glanced out the window and smiled. She had Duke running around after her. One thing I was sure of was that she was loved by so many.
I dread the day she gets a boyfriend.
Stirring my coffee, I noticed the car pulling up. Ally was here. Frowning I glanced at the clock. Maybe for once she’s took a day off. Sighing I remember when that was me. Always working 14-hour days.
I missed it. I loved my job. I loved what I did. Fixing her a coffee I took a seat at the table.
“Please tell me your free tonight?”. She groaned.
“Free for what?”. I asked raising my eyebrow. She was always up to something.
“A night out please. I know you’re a mom now but please tell me we can go out. I need a night out; we need a night out. Please Ava”.
I couldn’t remember the last time I was out. But I do remember the fun times we did have.
“I’ve already text Lexi and Chantelle and they both can’t wait to see you. So, can we?”.
“I’ll need to ask my mom if she can babysit but it shouldn’t be a problem”. Ally was right we did need a night out. I suddenly had butterflies in my stomach, but it was good butterflies exciting ones.
“Yes”. She grinned “I can’t wait for us girls to all be together again”.
And then my stomach dropped. I still had to tell Blaze. Not that he didn’t like me going out. He just always wanted to be there.
“No, no get that smile back on your face. You’re not allowed to be sad for tonight. We’re finally getting a girl’s night out. It’s been years Ava and besides”. Lowering her voice she whispered, “Blaze and the rest of them can suck it”.
Laughing with her I rolled my eyes as she winked. “It’ll just be like old times”. I’m sure it would be.
“Right, I have to run. The girls will be here for about 3. I have a few things to do then I’ll be here”.
“Okay I’ll see you tonight”. Giving her a quick hug, I followed her out. Everleigh was up in Blazes arms as he stood talking with Duke.
Telling him what I was doing tonight was going to be fun. My stomach was in knots even thinking about it.
Walking towards them I took her from him. “Right baby how bout we go get ready. We’ll go get some ice cream and a new dolly. Sound good?”.
“Yes mommy”.
“Why was Ally here?”. He asked
“Oh, she’s coming over tonight, Lexi and Chantelle and coming too. Girls’ night”. I smiled. Already I could tell he was thinking the worst.
“You’re going out?”. He sounded surprised.
“I’ve gotta go I’ll see you later. Was nice seeing you Duke”. My phone was in my pocket and my bag was already in my car. I didn’t have to go back inside so that stopped him from following me. I knew he would have something to say about me going out tonight.
Strapping Everleigh into her car seat I made sure she was secure before closing the door and getting in my side. He was walking towards my car motioning that I put my window down.
“Take this and buy something new with it”. Passing me his card I frowned. “Buy whatever you wanted darling”.
“Daddy, you come too”. Everleigh asked.
“Not today sweetheart but soon”. I could hear the hurt in his voice. I knew he wanted to spend more time with us. “Let me know you’re okay when you get there”.
“I will. I love you”.
“Love you too sweets”.
Everleigh picked out a new dolly, I bought a new dress and boots along with other pointless stuff that we probably don’t need. Daddy’s card had been well and truly used today.
Walking through the shopping mall with her hand in mine we entered the ice cream shop and joined the queue. “Okay baby what flavour do you want?”. I asked.
“Chocolate mommy with sprinkles”.
“Just like your daddy”. I grinned. After ordering her an ice cream we collected it and headed back to the car.
“Mommy where is Uncle Ared?”. Strapping her back into her car seat I frowned. That was a good question. “Wanna see Uncle Ared”. She cried.
“Okay baby I’m sure we’ll see him soon”. Kissing her forehead, I closed the door and got in my side. “Eat your ice cream Everleigh before it melts”. During the drive home I couldn’t help but think of Jared. It was strange that I hadn’t heard from him and that he wasn’t at the clubhouse.
“Everleigh how would you like to stay with papa tonight?”. Glancing in my rear-view mirror I couldn’t help but smile. She was out cold, but that ice cream was still clutched in her hand.
My girl.
Pulling into the clubhouse I was taken aback with how many bikes were parked outside. What was happening? I noticed a few familiar faces. Duke was still here. Lifting Everleigh into my arms I managed to discard of the now melted ice cream. Jared was here. He was in deep conversation with Blaze. Then it hit me. Markos charter was here.