Once we reach the table, I sit, but before Knox can, Axle grasps his arm. “I kept the seat nice and warm for you,” he says with a cheeky wink at the end.
Knox shakes his head at him.
“Be happy, man. Your woman is here,” Axle says with a smile.
An awkward tension fills the air. Elena whacks her forehead with her palm.
Axle’s eyes dart between everyone. “Well...” He scratches the back of his neck.
“Don’t worry about it.” My tone is soft. I make eye contact with Axle, and he blows out a gush of air. I don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable when I’m the one staying in their home.
When Knox sits, his eyes latch onto mine, then they wander around my face. I give him a reassuring smile.
“There are chocolate pancakes on the first plate, blueberry and vanilla on the second plate, and banana on the third,” Ava says.
“Ava’s pancakes are the bomb!” Twitch says from across the table.
I grab a banana pancake, place it on my plate, and pick up the honey, drizzling it on top.
When I’m finished eating, I leave my fork and knife next to my plate. Hands come out, and it’s Knox placing another pancake on my plate.
I shake my head. “No, no.”
His jaw ticks. “Please.” His voice is rough, but his brows are furrowed. He leans in close to me. “You need to eat.”
My shoulders fall. “One more. That’s it.”
The tension drains from his face.
“Did you say please?” Viper asks. “I bet that tasted like acid coming from your mouth.”
Knox tsks back at him.
Once finished, I stand to help the women. Knox stands with me. “I’m helping them take the cutlery and plates inside,” I tell him. Viper gets up and steps to Knox, grabs his shoulders, and pushes him until he is seated.
“Thank you,” I whisper to Viper.
Viper shakes Knox’s shoulders again. “You need to loosen up.”
I feel Knox’s eyes on me as I make my way to the back door. Cash moves, opening it for me, as my hands are full. “Thanks,” I mutter.
“You need some weed to chill the fuck out,” says Demon.
Knox never touched drugs when I was with him, but that very well could have changed. I don’t dare look back but go inside and to the kitchen. A young woman with blonde hair makes her way to me with a wide smile. “Hi, I’m Candy.”
I smile back. “I’m Zara. Nice to meet you.”
She fidgets. “I can’t believe Bomber has an ol’ lady. So many women over the years have tried to hook up with him.” I flinch. “He always said no, so you must be special.”
“I, ahh...” I don’t know what to say to that, so I plaster on another smile.
“Just, so you know... I’m with Viper.”
“No, you’re not,” another woman calls out, then approaches us. Her shiny lips mash together.
“I nearly am,” Candy responds, confidence evident in her voice.
The woman’s head falls back as she laughs. Then she peers at me. “My name’s Mercedez.”
