A half-smirk works itself onto Zoe’s lips. “We’re both a little batshit crazy.”
My eyes widen, and she laughs as if she’s told a joke and I’ve fallen for it.
“We’re both bipolar,” she explains. “And Ozzie’s had some struggles with addiction. But we’re both in therapyandon our meds, and things are going good for us. Real good.”
Korine jumps in. “Cash and I aren’t exactly conventional either. I was technically still married when we started messing around.”
“That doesn’t count. You were separated and your piece of shit ex-husband was an abusive coward,” Zoe counters plainly. “He’s lucky I wasn’t around at the time. I’d love to kick his ass myself.”
Korine laughs. “He gets a lot of that behind bars. He’s serving five long years.”
I’m at total ease listening to the two ladies converse. More than that, I realize I’m finally fitting in somewhere.
These women aren’t judging me. They’re not looking at me like I’m damaged or dirty or wrong. It’s the opposite as they share their own stories full of mistakes and imperfections.
I knew the ladies in the MC were close friends, but I never imagined they’d want to spend time with me too. That I could maybe be included in that way…
“Where are we going?” I ask hesitantly.
Korine grins. “The Steel Saloon.”
Zoe catches my eye in the mirror and winks. “We’re going to buy you a drink. Your firstlegaldrink. Happy birthday, Lana.”
I blink, caught off guard.
They know. Silver must’ve told them.
He’s asked me several times what I wanted to do to celebrate my twenty-first birthday, but I kept insisting it was no big deal. Birthdays have never been a big thing in my family; Uncle Eddie and Moses usually forgot, and I’d learned not to expect much.
Plus, in light of the chaos around us lately, it didn’t seem like the time to celebrate.
We pull up to the Steel Saloon and I see a few familiar bikes and vehicles parked outside, Silver’s truck among them.
Is it possible he’s put together a small birthday gathering for me?
My heart flutters as I climb out of the Jeep and follow Korine and Zoe inside. Maybe I’ve finally found a place to belong after all.
As Silver’s old lady in the club.
28
SILVER
“Okay...now I know you’ve got it bad.”
I look up to find Sydney smirking at me as she climbs down the ladder where she’s just finished hanging up a banner that says “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” in bright pink letters. The streamers I’ve been untangling are still a mess in my hands even after five minutes; I’ve been so distracted by the thoughts in my head.
Heat creeps up my neck at Sydney’s observation. “I want to make sure her birthday is special. She’s said she didn’t want to celebrate, but she’s been through a lot lately. It’s my job to show her a good time.”
Sydney puts her hands on her waist, one eyebrow arched. “Uh huh. As if I haven’t heard that excuse a million times before. You almost sound like Mace did when he was denying his feelings for me.”
As if he’s sensed he’s a topic of discussion, Mace strolls into the barroom only a second later. He juts his chin at his wife. “You talking mess about me again, Syd?”
She merely laughs brightly. “Are you surprised? I’m telling our friend Silver all about how he’s got it bad for Solana. Sorta like how you had it bad for me.”
Mace’s gaze gleams with humor as he slides an arm around his wife’s waist. “Yeah, but you wereactuallythe enemy. At the time.”
“More like the enemy in your head,” she answers with a roll of her eyes.
