“Maybe,” she whispers, dropping her gaze. “I love him so much. He makes me feel safe even when he’s mad at me or ignoring me. But it’s not my body that needs protecting this time. It’s my heart. And he’s the only one who can break it. What happens when the person who makes me feel safe becomes the one I need protecting from? Because my heart can’t take much more.”
I like Tank. He’s quiet, helpful, and strong.
But right now? I want to throw something at his stupid head.
“Want me to be your beard?” I tease, trying to lighten her mood. “We may have to practice our acting, since you’re a woman and I very much prefer the male anatomy. But I can pretend. Who needs a Tank when you’ve got an Eli?”
“I think fucking not,” Skip growls.
Abby laughs, while Sunny tilts her head. “What does he mean by a beard?”
“A beard,” Riley explains, “is when a gay man pretends to date a woman, often a lesbian, so people think they’re a straight couple. A cover.”
Sunny’s eyes widen before she cracks up.
“Oh, Eli,” Abby says, wiping tears. “I’m so glad you’re part of our family now. And yes, you can be my beard. We’ll walk hand-in-hand into the meeting in an hour and sit beside Tank.”
“For extra effect, I’ll even let you sit on my lap,” I grin.
“Abby,” Skip growls. “I love you, sister. But back the fuck off. Eli is not…nor will he ever be…your fucking beard.”
“Well, why not?” she asks, more amused than offended.
“Because this fucking boy belongs to me.”
…
…
Say what now?
“We definitely made the wrong biker jealous,” Riley says calmly while my brain melts into a useless puddle on the floor.
“Uncle Skip,” Bree asks from her seat next to him, “amIa club princess, too?”
Skip’s glare instantly melts into a smile as he looks down at her.
“Yes, honey. You are.”
“Does that mean I can marry a biker one day?”
“Donotlet your daddy hear you say that,” Skip says seriously. Then smirks. “Actually… that’s a very good question to ask him. But listen…this is important.”
Bree leans in, eyes wide.
“Make sure I’m in the room when you ask. I need to record his answer in case he says something wise the rest of us need to hear.”
“Smart,” she nods.
Skip looks up with a mischievous glint.
“Why must you always stir the pot?” Riley laughs.
“Because it’s fun,” he shrugs.
“But you won’t let me and Eli stir it too?” Abby whines playfully.
“Eli’smine,” Skip says again, scowl fully restored.
