I shouldn’t have been so eager for Rock to go, because now I’m miserable and miss him like crazy. Even though Wrath and Trinity are downstairs, the house seems quiet, giving me plenty of time for my thoughts to turn dark.
Lucky for me, Heidi calls and shakes me out of my melancholy.
She’s the reason two days later, I find myself driving us to Planned Parenthood. Sneaking past my two watchdogs was easy enough. Wrath and Trinity tend to disappear right after breakfast.
How I got nominated for this job, I’m not sure. I understand not wanting to talk about birth control with her grandmother. Heidi says she can’t tell Trinity because she will tattle to her brother, and she doesn’t want Axel to get his ass kicked.
I sigh. “Honey, if you’re worried, maybe it’s a sign you’re not ready.”
She makes this exaggerated, eye-rolling duh face at me. “Well, I’m not yet. I just want to be prepared. You know. In case.”
Can’t argue with that logic.
“I didn’t even tell Axel ‘cause I didn’t want him to think I was giving him the green light or something.”
Good girl.
Heidi’s quiet for a while, twisting her hands in her lap.
“Are you having second thoughts?”
“No. I just—will you promise not to laugh?”
“I’ll do my best.”
She groans out a very dramatic, teenage girl noise, and I almost lose it.
“Well, I always thought, you know, Blake would be my first. Is that stupid?”
Reaching over, I put my hand over one of hers and give her a gentle squeeze. “No, that’s not stupid, honey. First loves are very powerful.”
“Ugh, I’m not in love with him.”
Seriously—I’m going to bite my tongue off I’m trying so hard not to laugh.
“I love Axel. He’s super sweet and always listens to me. Murphy has turned into a big man whore like my brother.” She fake shivers. “They are so disgusting.”
Yeah, I’d really like to steer this conversation… elsewhere. “Okay. Listen to your gut, though. Don’t let anyone talk you into doing something you’re not ready to do.”
“Hope, I needed a ride, not a mom lecture.”
“Listen up, kid. You asked for my help, so that means you get my advice too. And I am not old enough to be your mother.” Well, maybe biologically I am, but good grief. “I say it as your friend. I’d say the same thing to my best friend Sophie if she started dating someone new.”
“You would?”
“Yes.” Sophie would tell me to fuck off, but still.
“Oh my God, you’re not gonna tell Uncle Rock are you?”
I have to stop myself from giggling at the panic in her voice. “This just occurred to you now?” We pull into the clinic lot and I shut off the car. “I won’t say anything as long as you promise to think about what I said.”
She glances at the building. “Does it hurt?”
“It’s uncomfortable, but no, it doesn’t hurt.”
Given what I just went through, I can’t say I’m excited to be inside Planned Parenthood. But this trip also brings back memories of me at Heidi’s age. I didn’t have anyone to go with me, and I’m glad I can be here for her now.
When she’s finally done, Heidi doesn’t look as enthusiastic as when we arrived. I hang on to my completely inappropriate chuckle by a thread.
In the car, she whips out a brown paper bag. “They gave me a bunch of condoms too,” she says with a look of disgust.
“Better to use two methods and be safe than sorry.” What I said hits me, and I almost burst into tears.
Dammit.
“Ugh, yeah, they said the same thing.” She glances at me. “You, uh, haven’t seen Axel with any girls at the clubhouse, have you?”
I honestly haven’t and I tell her so. “He’s usually outside working on stuff when I see him.”
“Okay. I mean, I trust him, but I know how bikers are too.”
Interesting.
“Honey, it’s not just bikers who cheat.”
“Yeah, duh, I know. But…” She shakes her head. “Nothing.”
It’s stupid, but suddenly I’m wondering what Rock is up to—wherever he is.
“Hope?” she asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“Yes?”
“Um, do you think I should wait? I mean, all my friends have already… But I don’t—”
“If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. Don’t let your friends talk you into something because they want to feel better about their own decisions.”
She sucks in a deep breath. “Oh, wow. I never thought of it like that.”
Finally, I’ve managed to impart some useful wisdom here.
“Um, if I tell you something, promise you won’t tell anyone else? You’re a lawyer, right? So you have to keep this between us if I ask you to.”
I groan because that’s a dirty trick. “It depends. If it’s something I think is dangerous to you, then no, I don’t.”
“No, nothing dangerous. But, um. Blake and I kissed.”
“What?” I’m trying to drive, but I don’t think I can have this conversation and concentrate on the road at the same time. There’s a McDonald’s right before the entrance to the thruway, so I pull into their parking lot.
“Are you hungry?” I ask.
“No. Are you mad? Please don’t tell Uncle Rock. I don’t want my brother to find out. He’ll be pissed, and they’ve been best friends forever.”
Her concern for the other people in this situation startles me. She’s so young, but she’s also wiser than her age in some ways. Closing my eyes and sighing, I ask, “When?”
She waves her hand in the air. “Last Christmas, and then the night of my birthday party.”
Dammit. I suspected more than an innocent ride went on the night the cops brought the two of them back to Rock’s house.
“Is that it?”
“Yeah. I mean, I wanted… but he said no.”
I can’t help snorting at that image. Poor Murphy. “And?”
“He’s pretty much been avoiding me since.”
Good.
“Hope, please don’t say anything. I don’t want Axel to find out. He already knows there’s some weirdness there. And I don’t want you thinking… If it wasn’t Blake, I’d never do that behind Axel’s back. I’m not some slut.”
Turning in my seat so I can see her better, I take her hand in mine. “Heidi, I would never think that about you.”
“Well, I’ve heard my whole life what a slut my mother was, and I’ve tried really hard not to be like her.”
That grandmother of Heidi’s really pisses me off. Saying things like that to a kid about her mother. For Heidi’s sake, I keep a lid on my anger.
“That’s a rotten word, and I’m sorry you’ve had to hear that about your mom. I would never think that about you, Heidi. It’s okay to be a little confused and have all these feelings. Just be careful.” Crap. I have no fucking clue what I’m saying or if I’m saying the right thing. What do I know? “Honey, you’ve got so much to worry about the next few months. You’ve got graduation coming up. Try to focus on that stuff. You can sort the relationship stuff out later.”
She shakes her head, a cloud of sorrow settling around her. “You know when I was a freshman, I made Blake promise to take me to prom, and now Axel expects to take me.”
I don’t want to laugh, because I can see this is bothering her, but I highly doubt Murphy is expecting to be held to that promise.
“It’s okay, Heidi. I’m sure Murphy will understand.”
She huffs out a long sigh and wrinkles her nose. “I gotta find a stupid dress.”
Okay, I’ve been holding in my laughter all day. “I can help you with that.”
“Yeah?” She looks so hopeful my heart breaks for her. “Sweet! Thanks.”
“Anything else you need to unload on me before we head back to your house?”
She rolls her eyes at me. “No. But can I get a milkshake?”
Putting the car gear, I glance over at her. “You got it.”
Teller is in the front yard when I pull up to the grandmother’s house. He jogs over to greet us, and I roll down my window.
“Hey, I didn’t realize she was out with you, Hope. I’ve been going nuts.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see a red-faced Heidi shoving her Planned Parenthood swag bag in her purse.
“Sorry.” I’m not really sure what else to say.
Heidi is quicker at thinking—or lying—on her feet. “She took me shopping for a prom dress,” she says as she steps out of my car.
He looks at her and then inside my car. “Yeah, where is it?”
“I didn’t find any I liked. Thanks, Hope!” Heidi slams the door and runs inside.
Teller leans on my car. “You didn’t have to do that, Hope.”
I shrug nervously. I like Teller, so lying to him bugs me. “She’s a fun kid.”
He snorts. “Yeah, fun. She’s a fucking handful.”
“Nah, she’s a sweet girl. I like spending time with her.”
“Well, I appreciate it.” He cocks his head at me. “How’d you manage to get out of the house, anyway? I thought Rock didn’t want you out by yourself?”
My cheeks heat up, but I shrug it off. “I was getting cabin fever.”
Teller shakes his head. “Rock’s gonna kick all our asses.”
“Well, then don’t tell him,” I joke back.
He grins at me. “Drive back safe, Hope.”
Alone in the car, I’m assaulted with a hundred different images and feelings from my childhood. Especially after my father died.
Loneliness. Desperation. Fear.
I haven’t been to my house since before the hospital, so I want to stop there before going back to the clubhouse.
After pulling in the driveway, I just sit and stare at the house for a while.
It didn’t escape my notice that Rock called my mother when I was in the hospital. From my phone, I’m able to see the call lasted long enough that they must have had some sort of chat about my condition. Yet she’s never tried to get in touch with me to see if I’m okay.
I’m not at all surprised, but it still hurts.
I wander through my house, staring at my stuff, thinking of what I can get rid of and what I’d keep. In the bedroom, I stop and stare at Clay’s side. I managed to get rid of his clothes finally, but his other things are still here.
Grabbing a few boxes, I set about packing up more stuff. I should call Lynn and see if she wants any of it, but the thought of speaking to her makes me ill.
Actually, maybe it’s not Lynn making me feel bad. I’ve probably done way more than I should have today.
Leaving the boxes on the bed, I stare at my bookshelf. Three photo albums are lined up on the bottom. One has the only pictures remaining of my dad. One is filled with friends I haven’t seen since high school, and the last is my wedding album.
I pull out the green leather one that has the old family photos and the white-and-gold wedding album before plopping down on the floor. It’s been so long, sometimes I just have memories and impressions of Dad more than a clear picture of him in my mind. To me, he was the biggest, strongest man in the world, and I always felt safest around him.
My favorite picture is in the front of the album. Christmas morning, my dad helping me ride my first tricycle. It was shiny purple with white flowers, and I rode that thing until my knees hit the handlebars two years later.
In my pocket, my phone buzzes against my hip, startling me out of my reverie.
It’s Wrath. Uh-oh, my escape has been discovered. Thankfully, it’s just a text.
Where the fuck are you?
Nice.
On my way back.
Grabbing the two albums, I search my closet for a bag to put them in and then toss in some extra clothes on top.
I don’t get any more texts from Wrath, but he’s waiting for me when I return.
“Where the fuck did you go?” he snarls at me as I walk in the door.
“I, uh, took Heidi out.”
“You didn’t think to tell me? Rock’s gonna have my ass.”
“I didn’t want to bother you.” My gaze flicks around the room, seeking Trinity, but she’s not here. “I figured I’d be back before you noticed I was gone.”
He shakes his head at me. “Teller called me.”
“That little fucker,” I grumble.
Wrath laughs. “Agreed. But still, not cool, Hope. You took so long getting here from his house you had me worried.”
My eyes sting seeing that he’s sincere. “I’m sorry. I stopped by my house to grab a few things.”
“Okay. You need to go anywhere else, though, just tell me.” Yeah, right—he would’ve loved to tag along with Heidi and me today.
“I think I’m done. I’m exhausted.” I’m not lying either. I’m thinking of sprawling out on the couch because I don’t have the energy to crawl upstairs.
“Go get some rest, Cinderella.”
“Move along, sweetie,” I growl at this bitch for the second damn time.
Z’s sitting beside me, quivering with laughter. Asshole.
Murphy’s off balls deep in some bitch who tagged him the minute we got here.
The ride did its job and cleared my head.
Only to have it fucked with when we stepped inside the Devil’s Demons clubhouse. I haven’t set foot in this place in probably seven or eight years. Back when the Demons and I had a mutual enemy that needed to be put to ground. We’ve maintained a friendly relationship between our clubs, but since Wrath or Z usually took the runs that sent them through Demon territory, there’d been no need for me to come out.
After blowing off sweet butts all night, I have to say I haven’t missed this place at all.
Their president, the aptly named Stump, settles on the stool next to me. “Nothin’?”
“Naw, man, prez here is all wifed up now,” Z chirps.
“So fucking what?” Stump grumbles.
“Been there, done that. This one’s a keeper,” I tell him, hoping it will shut him up.
“Yeah, found himself a real smart, classy girl,” Z adds.
It’s a nice thing to say, and I appreciate Z feels that way about Hope. But I’m not sure if I want Z talking about Hope’s charms to a guy like Stump. The less he knows about my personal life, the better.
A sharp bark of laughter erupts from Stump. “What’s that like?”
“It’s good,” I answer with a straight face.
Stump studies me for a minute. “Never thought I’d see that. Good for you.”
Surprised, I thank him.
“How you been? Besides the wife thing?” Stump asks.
Wife. Fuck, I wish. That needs to fucking happen soon.
“Good. Business is good.” Demons are into way harder stuff than we are. Always have been, and that’s fine. They can keep their H, coke, and weapons running. I really don’t give two fucks if they think I’ve gone “soft.” None of the brothers in my charter are serving life sentences. The average life expectancy of a King is much higher than a Demon too. Those are the things I take pride in.
“Sucked about that thing awhile back. We got short notice about that wedding. Didn’t realize how close that park was to your area.”
I wave my hand in the air. “Not a problem.”
He jerks his chin at Z. “Well, at least we got to chat. I hear you’ve got a line of good shit coming up.”
I give Z the signal and he strolls outside.
“That we do.”
Z returns and drops a package of our new strain on the bar.
“Since when you run weed?” I ask.
Stump takes a long drag of his cigarette before answering. “People ain’t buying the heavy shit around here no more. Everyone wants the fucking green these days. Got no regular suppliers around here. Just punks.”
“I can get you a steady stream. I can’t guarantee we’ll be able to run it all the way out here every time.”
“My guys can meet you halfway. Outside Syracuse?”
“That would work.”
We hammer out a few more details. I gotta add a hefty surcharge because of the travel involved and the fact that Stump is stuck and can’t buy good, reliable shit anywhere else.
I also need to make sure this deal stays off the radar of the GSC.
“How’s Trinity doin’? She still with your club?”
My jaw clenches. “Yup. Still a big help to us.”
“That’s good. I remember she was a nice kid. Nothing like her whore mother.”
I make a noise that sounds something like agreement.
“How’s Wrath?”
“Laid up with a broken leg.”
“No shit. Didn’t think anything could take that big fucker out.”
“Yeah, he’s plenty pissed about it too.”
We end up talking business for a while. When we exhaust that topic, we catch up on some other things. Around midnight, my phone goes off. Thinking it might be Hope, I step outside to answer it.
“Rocky?” comes the tentative voice over the line.
“Who’s this?”
“It’s me, Inga.”
Fuck. “What do you want?”
“Don’t hang up, please.”
I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me. I should hit end. There’s no reason for us to talk, but I feel a little shitty for the way things ended between us. “I’m here.”
“I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry.”
Aw, Christ. “Okay.”
“I, uh, you surprised me with Hope.”
“Inga—”
“No, no. I just want to explain.”
In the background, there’s suddenly a lot of noise.
“Where are you?”
“Back in California.” As soon as she says it, I realize I never actually knew where she lived when she wasn’t traveling. It kind of makes me feel like a dick.
“Well, not home, though. I’m in rehab.”
Fuck, I don’t know what to say to that. “That going okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah, it is. I’m leaving the film industry and dancing.”
Shit. “Sounds like that’s for the best.”
“Yeah, it is. I thought I could handle everything, but, well, I couldn’t. Obviously.” Her soft, nervous laughter comes through the line, surprising me. I can’t remember ever hearing Inga less than one hundred percent confident. It’s why I always thought our arrangement worked so well.
I swear I’m not so fucking full of myself that I think I’m the reason for her troubles, but I gotta ask anyway. “Inga, I’m sorry if I ever—”
“No, Rock. You were always straight with me. I think I just had it in my head that when I retired from dancing and films, maybe we could be together for real, but—”
“Shit, Ing, I’m sorry if I led you on.”
“You didn’t. You were always honest. You treated me well, trust me. Maybe that’s why I just figured there could be more between us. I don’t know.”
Nothing she’s saying is making me feel like any less of a shithead.
As if she hears my thoughts, she continues. “Ah, I’m not trying to make you feel bad or blaming you for my problems. That’s not why I called. I’ve had this habit a long time. I just always hid it well, but it finally caught up with me.”
Now I’m pissed I never noticed she had a drug problem and wonder how many other girls at CB are hooked on shit.
“Anyway, I kinda freaked out when I saw how serious you were with Hope. She doesn’t seem like your type. I mean, she’s awfully sweet. I feel terrible…”
“Inga, it’s fine. Just worry about getting yourself together.”
“Thanks. Will you tell Hope I’m sorry?”
“Yeah, sure.” Like fuck am I telling Hope about this phone call. She doesn’t need the stress.
“I, uh, already called Dex and apologized to him.”
“That’s good.”
“Okay. I’ll let you go. Thanks for listening.”
I don’t know how to respond. I want to end in a nice way so she can do her program with a clear head, but I don’t want to encourage any more phone calls either. “Get yourself well, Inga. Don’t worry about anything here. We’re good. Okay?”
I’d like to offer her some nice platitude like, “Your job is here when you’re ready,” or “Feel free to call me if you need something,” but they’re both lies, so I bite my motherfucking tongue.
“Thanks, Rock.”
We say our good-byes and hang up.
We’re going to be able to head home earlier than planned. So the day before we leave, I decide to do some sightseeing, which is a joke—there’s nothing of note for miles—and make a special stop.
Z’s all for it, until I hand over what I want to the artist.
“Prez, you fucking serious?”
“As a heart attack.”
He flicks his hand against the paper. “You’re the first one always telling us not to do this.”
I flick his shoulder in retaliation for touching the drawing. “Yeah, saved you some trouble once or twice too, didn’t it?”
Z shakes his head and gives me a comical eye-roll worthy of the most dramatic club girl. “Fine, let me see it again.”
Reluctantly, I hand over the drawing.
Since I guess he’s over the shock, he gives it a more critical review this time. “You have Bricks do it?”
“Yeah.”
“I guess it looks good. Pretty sappy, though.”
“Fuck you.”
Z smirks. “Where?”
“Her favorite spot.”
Z gags. “I don’t think Bronze wants to see your dick.”
Bronze chuckles. “I’ve tatted worse, dude. Trust me.”
I knock Z back with a slap and point to the spot I want the ink to go. Christ, just thinking about the way she likes to kiss and nuzzle my hip gets me hard
“Not my dick, fuck face.”
I settle into the chair and let Bronze do his thing. He gets carried away and wants to add some color and shading to my pirate ship.
“‘Nother time. Why’d you have to set up shop so far away?” Back in the day, he was the only one I would let near me with a needle.
He chuckles softly, his eyes and hands never wavering. “Kings need an official tattoo guy? I’ll move back.”
I snort at that. “You’ll have to do more than that to earn your keep, man. Besides, I thought you were tight with Stump’s crew?”
“I am. It’s boring as fuck out here, though.”
“Empire ain’t exactly jumpin’,” Z says.
Bronze grunts and keeps working. “The talent out here is lacking.”
I don’t want to disturb him, so I hold in my laughter.
After a while, the buzzing and pain lulls me into a meditative state. The whole time, I’m imagining the look on Hope’s face when she finds this surprise.
My adventure with Heidi wore me out more than I realized. After sleeping in the next morning, I wander downstairs to find Wrath taking up residence on the couch.
“Hey.”
He looks up with a faint smile on his face.
Jerking my chin toward his cast, I ask, “How’s the leg?”
“Okay.”
“You eat breakfast yet?”
A small smirk, so I guess he’s forgiven me for sneaking out yesterday. “I’m fine. Thanks.”
No one’s in the kitchen. Not even Trinity. I scarf down some cereal and return to the living room. “Where’s Trin?”
Wrath’s jaw ticks. “Out.”
Oh dear. I’m not touching that.
I throw myself into the corner of the other couch that sits at a ninety-degree angle with the one Wrath’s on. He glances over at me, taking in my sweatshirt, flannel pants, and wool socks.
“You cold?”
“I’m okay.”
He grunts and returns his attention to the television. I don’t think we’ve ever sat this close to each other when I wasn’t distracted by Rock or Wrath wasn’t trying to scare the crap out of me. The sleeveless shirt he’s wearing shows off his ink. Like a doof, I sit and stare, trying to make out the different images in the full-sleeve tattoo. The one on his upper bicep intrigues me the most.
“Is that Thor’s hammer?”
His lip quirks before he swings his gaze to me. Thrusting out his arm so I can see the intricate Celtic design better, he answers, “Yeah. You got any ink, Hope?”
I shake my head.
“Didn’t think so.”
If he’s trying to be insulting, it’s lost on me. When I don’t take the bait, he falls back against the couch, studying me.
I guess I look a little stiff.
“You still in pain?” he asks, his voice laced with surprising concern.
“A bit. I stopped taking the pain pills ‘cause they made me loopy.”
Leaning over, he opens a drawer I never noticed in the coffee table and pulls out a long, slim box.
“You smoke?”
“No.”
He raises an eyebrow at me. “Never?”
“You mean weed?”
A snort. “Yeah.”
“I tried it in high school a few times.”
He nods in an approving manner. “Well, well. You do have a little bit of bad girl in you after all. Come on, Fight Club is even better stoned.”
We pass the joint between us, and in no time, I’m out of my mind high.
“Feel better?”
Giggling too hard to answer, I nod my head. “Feeling no pain.” I gasp.
He gives me a blissed-out, serene smile.
“Why’re you being so nice to me, Wrath?”
Exhaling a stream of smoke, he flicks his bloodshot eyes my way. “I been mean to you, sugar?”
More giggles. “Uh, duh. Yeah.”
He passes the joint to me again, and I inhale like a pro now.
“You proved yourself. You got enough love for Rock to accept all this shit,” he says, waving his hand in the air. I’m not exactly sure what he means, but I don’t interrupt him. “Known Rock more than twenty years. Went through lotta bad shit together. Never seen him cry once until that day in the hospital when he thought he might lose you.”
Maybe it’s the pot, or maybe it’s lingering hormones, but my eyes well up.
He wags a finger at my face. “Don’t you cry. Can’t handle females cryin’.”
“You think I’m too soft for Rock’s life. For the club, I know.”
He cocks his head to the side and studies me for a minute. “Yeah, sugar. I ain’t gonna lie. You’re soft. Took me some time to get it, but that’s what Rock likes about you so much. Your softness. Our world is hard most of the time, so I guess he needs that. You give him something he can’t find anywhere else.”
Wow. Pot seems to bring out Wrath’s romantic side. And he’s not finished. “Besides…” He continues. “You’re a good girl. You’ve been tough when it counted.” He stops, and before I can absorb all of that, he pins me with a hard but not unkind stare. “You realize I worry about your safety? You ever got picked up by one of our enemies… I can’t even think about it.”
Rock has told me bits and pieces, but the grave tone Wrath uses makes the threat of their rivals seem much more real. “Shit, Wrath.”
“Hope, we’ve worked damn fuckin’ hard to strike a balance and keep our alliances tight.” He shakes his head and gives me a level stare. “But this life ain’t easy on women.”
“What about Trinity?”
His face hardens. “She’s been through enough.”
“You love her, don’t you?” I must be high or I’d never go there.
Wrath doesn’t answer my question. Not really anyway.
He snorts. “That girl’s made me work harder than anything in my life.”
We’re silent after that. I don’t know what to think. I sniffle and swipe under my eyes. “I miss him.”
“Yeah. I know. I’m sorry, sugar. Shoulda been me on that run.”
“What is this ‘run’ anyway? Rock never said.”
He rolls his eyes at me. “Club business.”
“Ohhhhh.” I let out a snicker. “Top secret, big, bad biker stuff. I get it.”
“You are soooo fucked up right now,” he teases.
Suddenly, he whips out his cell phone. One look at the screen and a slow smile spreads over his face. “Yo.” His gaze slides over to me. “Yeah, she’s right here.” Pause. “Living room.” Another pause. “Gettin’ her high.”
Loud yelling comes out of his phone.
“Is that Rock?” I shriek, then throw out my hand for the phone. “Gimmie.”
He slips the phone into my palm with a chuckle.
“Hey, baby,” I chirp into the phone.
“Hope, what the fuck are you doing?” he yells back.
Ignoring the question, I blurt out the only thing on my mind. “I miss you so bad.”
His heavy sigh comes through loud and clear. “I miss you too, baby doll. We’re wrapping things up early, so I’ll be back soon.” In a lower voice, he adds, “You gonna be ready for me?”
“So, so ready.”
“Not sure how I feel about you hanging out with Wrath in your impaired condition.”
“Pfft.”
“Yeah. Is he behaving himself?”
“Yes, he’s been a perfect gentleman.”
Wrath shakes his head as if I’m ruining his street cred, and it makes me laugh.
Rock’s exasperated groan has me giggling even harder. “I am so gonna spank your ass when I get back.”
“Not if I spank yours first.”
Wrath gags.
Rock and I spend considerable time saying our good-byes with a lot of love yous and miss yous. Wrath points a finger-gun at his head. I flip him off. When Rock and I finally hang up, I pass the phone back to Wrath.
“He threatened to kick my ass, you know.”
I snort at that. “I don’t ever want to see you two trade punches.”
“He can hold his own,” Wrath assures me.
“I don’t doubt it.”
We go back to smoking quietly.
Fight Club has never interested me, high or not. Flipping chunks of my hair through my fingers, I notice a lot of split ends. “I need to get my hair trimmed.”
Wrath’s eyebrows draw down in a why-are-you-telling-me-this face. “You and Trin should go out tomorrow. Do some sort of girly salon day thing.”
“Does she…? She’s not really the girly type.”
The door slams. We both look up and find Trinity.
“Jesus, it fucking reeks in here.” She comes closer, studying the both of us. “Goddammit, Wyatt. Did you get her high? Rock’s gonna kill you.”
“Yeah, he already chewed me out.” He holds out his hands to her.
Ignoring the offer to sit in his lap, she plunks down next to me and plucks the joint from my fingers.
“Hey!” I yelp.
“Trin, Hope wants to go get her hair cut. Can you take her tomorrow?” He flicks his hand at my hair while he’s asking.
Exhaling, she nods. “Sure. Girl I know owns that pin-up salon downtown. She always fits me in. I’ll text her later.”
I know the place she’s talking about. “I’m not too nerdy for that place?”
She quirks her lips up. “No.”
Wrath chuckles at both of us and lights a fresh joint.
Trinity’s friend has two spots open. Before we leave for the salon, I catch Wrath slipping a bundle of cash into her hand. She shakes her head, and he leans down to whisper something in her ear.
Because I’m so boring, I get a regular wash, trim, and blowout. Trinity has her friend dye the ends of her bright-blond hair beautiful shades of blue and turquoise. It looks amazing, and I’m insanely jealous.
As we’re checking out, I discover the cash Wrath shoved at her was to pay for our little excursion. I must say I’m touched.
The salon has a lingerie store attached to it that naturally specializes in pin-up style pieces. Trinity yanks me in there next.
“You need something sexy for your man when he gets back.”
I never thought I’d find myself shopping for fuckwear with a friend, but Trinity makes it fun instead of icky. After a lot of indecision, I settle on an emerald-green halter bra covered in black polka dots and lace accents with a matching ruffle-trimmed garter skirt. The high-waist style hides the small scars left from the surgery, which is the reason I finally decide on it. I also grab several pairs of stockings and this sheer spandex and lace open-back panty contraption that ties in the back with a big bow.
If I’m indecisive, Trinity is outright reluctant, even though she’s the one who insisted on dragging us in here. I finally manage to shove her in the dressing room with a similar bra and garter skirt set in sapphire blue. After some furious muttering and cursing, she waves me in to help her with one of the hooks.
“Geez, girl, it’s like that thing was made for you,” I say, only an itty-bit jealous. “It looks gorgeous with your new hair. Wrath’s going to flip.”
Now, this is the first time I’ve acknowledged what anyone with two eyes and a brain can see. She blushes and offers a weak denial.
“Sorry,” I say. Although I’m not.
After our awkward moment, I have to talk her into getting the set. She finally relents and takes forever to get dressed again.
We go out for burritos before we head home.
Yes, somewhere along the way, I started thinking of the clubhouse as home.
As she pulls the car around the back of the building, I’m bummed to see Rock’s bike still isn’t here. When he said he’d be back sooner than he thought, I’d been hopeful that meant today.
Wrath eyes the bags in our hands right away.
“Get anything good?” he asks with a restless smile.
Making a run for the stairs, I shout, “Nothing but some sex-wear.”
A growl, a squeal, and a door slamming are all I hear from Wrath and Trinity for the rest of the night.