“Is that what Avery is asking Linzie to do?” Skyler shrugs, biting her bottom lip. Shit. “Talk to Avery. If it’s what she wants, I’ll do it. Butonlyif it’s what Avery wants.”
“Of course.” Skyler says, sounding triumphant. “I’ll let you know right away.” Skyler kisses a suspicious-looking Ethan on the lips and takes off back to the room.
“Why does it feel like they’re all up to some grand scheme and we’re all being played?” Ethan asks. We all look to Violet, who’s fidgeting with her hands in her lap and biting her bottom lip.
“Dove, is he right? Are we being played?” Declan asks in a tone that brooks no argument.
“I don’t know about a grand scheme. I think they’re just being sweet by trying to help me out and make sure Avery’s wedding goes off without a hitch. Where is Carter with that water?” She looks around toward the kitchen. Carter and Andi both walk out together. Carter carrying the water, and Andi carrying crackers and snacks.
“How’s the little … um tummy ache?” she asks Violet.
“I’m sure I’m fine. I just need food and hydration. Really.”
“You wouldn’t happen to know about this whole switcheroo that’s happening with the wedding party, would you, Andi?”Declan jumps right into interrogation mode, his arms crossed, as he tries to intimidate Andi.
“What switcheroo? Where is Linzie? She was helping me in the kitchen, then poof, she was gone.” She looks around the room. When her eyes land on mine, hers are sparkling much like Skyler’s—with mischief.
Fuck me.Theyareup to something.
“Linzie went upstairs with Avery. Looks like there’s talk of Linzie and Gabe taking mine and Declan’s place in the wedding since I’m not feeling well, and Declan has decided I can’t be left unattended while I’m feeling faint.” Violet rolls her eyes.
“Watch yourself, Dove,” Declan grumbles low in warning. Violet’s cheeks heat. “You two know something, then you better spit it out.”
“I-I don’t feel so hot.” Violet jumps up, pushing the offered water and snacks away and sprints for the bathroom with Declan hot on her ass swearing under his breath.
“All right. Seems like everyone has everything under control. I’m gonna head back into the kitchen and finish up before I go change clothes myself.” Andi tosses her thumb over her shoulder, then spins and bolts for the kitchen like her ass is on fire.
“Yep. The women are definitely up to something. And if I had to guess, I’d say they’re setting your ass up, Pres,” Jake says, smiling.
“Shit.”
CHAPTER 13
LINZIE
“You’re not serious.” I’m standing in front of the mirror, staring at the floor-length crimson red dress with a slit that comes almost to the top of my hip and a plunging neckline that just barely covers my nipples. The back is open all the way down to a hair’s breadth above my ass crack. “This cannot be the dress Violet meant for me to borrow.”
“What’s wrong with it? I think you look hot!” Avery says.
“I feel like one wrong move and I’m going to be reenacting Janet Jackson’s Nipplegate incident of 2004. Not to mention, if this slit moves any further to the left, my panties will be on full display.” I open the slit wide with both hands and turn to the side, blocking said panties by bending my leg but proving my point nonetheless.
“Don’t wear any,” Sadie says, shrugging her shoulders. “Problem solved.”
“It seems highly inappropriate to roam around with my bits barely covered at a wedding, Sadie. I’m not one of those other women.” I gesture toward the main floor. “Whatever you call them. The ones who walk around here in next to nothing, for God knows what reason, all the time.”
“Whores,” Sadie supplies. Another shrug from Sadie. “Linzie, look around. This is a biker clubhouse. You could walk around with nothing on, and it would be considered appropriate.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better,” I grumble. “Hey, no judgement,” I add quickly, not wanting anyone to feel like I’m against their friends or anything. “I just don’t understand it all. I’m sure they have their own stories, their own reasons for being here and doing whatever it is they do, but I don’t want to be mistaken for one of them.”
“Oh my God.” Everly gasps. “This is why I swore I’d never date a biker. They’re always surrounded by other women. How do you trust your man when there’s all these naked …”
“I mean, don’t get me wrong. I know these women are here by choice, but so is your man. How do you not freak out every time they come here for‘church’? I’d constantly be wondering who he was screwing and what kind of STD he’d be bringing home to me.”
Everly continues curling Avery’s hair, making eye contact with her in the mirror, and immediately realizes her mistake. She leans forward, her cheeks pink, and apologizes. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean any disrespect. I’m sure Jake is faithful.”
“Oh, I know he is,” Avery says proudly. “All the men who have ol’ ladies or wives are. My dad wouldn’t put up with that shit. Not to mention Liz.” They all nod in agreement, chuckling. “My grandmother hates everything about the club girls being here, but the fact is none of us has any real say in whether they’re here or not. But Dad doesn’t want to deal with everyone’s woman bitching and complaining about their men, soifa brother cheats on his woman, he must take it far away from the club. Dad won’t fuck around. There’s too much at stake to have a scorned female stirring up shit in the clubhouse. Been there, done that.”
“What happened to the last club girl who caused a problem?” Everly asks. “Is she still here or did they kick her out?”
