Out of the Ashes (Sons of Templar MC #3)(49)
“We’re going to rock, Lex, how can we not? We’ve got me as a drummer,” Sam interjected, wrapping his arm around Lexie.
I grinned at him as he gave her a supportive squeeze and winked at me.
“I’ll be right up front with Gwen, Amy, Rosie, and Lucy, who have all promised to pour drinks on anyone who boos,” I joked.
Lexie’s face paled slightly and I shook my head. She had nothing to be nervous about. Plus, she looked the part. She had on Gwen’s strappy studded Valentino heels, black skinny jeans and a drapey metallic top. Skinny scarves were slung around her neck and bracelets covered her arms almost to her elbows. I wasn’t keen on slathering her with too much makeup, so we went for winged eyeliner and teased her hair within an inch of its life. Total rock and roll babe.
I kissed her head lightly. “Break a leg, kid,” I murmured to her.
She nodded, taking a deep breath before Sam grabbed her hand and took her to some sort of band huddle. I watched with a small tear prickling at the edge of my eye. Something told me this moment was important for my daughter. Call it mother’s intuition, but I knew this was going to be a pivotal moment.
“Here.” Amy thrust a drink in my hand as soon as I jostled through the crowd to join them at the front.
I immediately took it and sipped, not asking what it was. I coughed slightly at the strength behind it. “Do I get any soda with my vodka?” I half spluttered.
Gwen laughed. “Sorry, I should have warned you. When Amy buys drinks she doesn’t f*ck around.” She gave me a knowing and sympathetic look.
“Well, since I’m a mom who hardly gets out much, I think if I finish this drink you may have to carry me out of here,” I half yelled. “I don’t think that would set the best example for my rock star daughter.”
Amy didn’t miss a beat. “If you’re going to have a rock star daughter, you definitely need to learn how to handle your alcohol.”
I shuddered at the thought of the grim reality behind what I was letting my very young daughter open the door to. “I’m also going to have to get rid of having stalkers it seems.” I decided to change the subject, gesturing with my head to the two leather clad men at the bar. I didn’t recognize them, and they had Prospect patches on their vests. When Gwen had turned up at our house with what seemed like her entire wardrobe, she also had Amy in tow. Not to mention the two men who had sat on their bikes outside while we chose outfits, had dinner and hosted Lexie’s band. They had trailed behind our cars and followed us into the club.
Amy followed my eyes. “Welcome to the life of having crazy hot, crazy, overprotective biker men getting all alpha,” she said with a slight scowl. “I swear if I didn’t love my husband I’d go insane with the protectiveness. I almost single-handedly escaped a kidnapping without his help. I think I can manage going to a gig at a bar in Nowheresville.”
Gwen gave her a look and I near choked on my drink. Did she just say kidnapped? “You have to admit the overprotective husband played a part in the kidnapping escape,” Gwen countered.
Amy screwed up her nose. “A small part.,” She held her thumb and finger millimeters away from each other.
My eyes popped out of my head. Yes, these women were calmly talking about a kidnapping like it was a trip to the grocery store.
Before I had the chance to get them to elaborate, Gwen beat me to it. “Plus, if you’re going to be getting involved with one of your own macho bikers you might need to get used to a Harley as a shadow,” she said with a sly look and a teasing tone.
“We so need the lowdown on what exactly is going on with you and Bull,” Amy demanded, perking up.
“Seconded,” Rosie piped in.
I sighed. “I honestly couldn’t tell you. It’s...complicated,” I said simply.
Gwen’s eyes turned understanding, and slightly sad. “Nothing with these men is ever simple.” She patted my hand. “But Bull, he’s been through more than most. Beneath all that silence and menace is a good guy. He just has to get over his guilt and his loss. Be patient. It’ll be worth it. Trust me.”
I opened my mouth to ask what in the hell she meant about loss and guilt, but the strumming of a guitar silenced me. As much as I wanted the complete explanation to a puzzling man, supporting my daughter would always trump my own desires. So I plastered a smile on my face and turned to the stage.
“Holy shit! Lexie is freakin’ amazing,” Gwen half squealed as the band walked off the stage.
“Beyond amazing. It’s like Amy Winehouse and Adele had some sort of lovechild and Lexie’s voice was created,” Amy yelled over her drink and the cheers from the audience.
I couldn’t disagree. My heart was bursting with pride. Even though this was a small venue and wasn’t exactly Madison Square Garden, Lexie and the boys had blown the roof off. It was like they had been playing together for years, not months. I had hardly believed that that was my daughter up there. It was a bittersweet feeling, considering it meant that she was on the fast track to growing up. I was not ready for that, let alone having her jam out in clubs when she was six years away from even being allowed to drink in one.
“I’m going to go and whisk the kids out of here,” I addressed the group. “Even though Wyatt knows the owner who is, ‘totally dope,’” I finger quoted, “they were still only allowed to play on the proviso I was here and escorted off the premises as soon as their set was done,” I explained. “Anyone need a ride home?” I asked, as I had only sipped the rocket fuel Amy declared a drink while the others, apart from Gwen, had partaken heavily. I was impressed they were still standing.