After Lyric’s house had been bombed in an effort to get to Doom, Lyric and I had snuck out of the compound in order to meet with the Spiders’ president’s old lady. Jasmine and Parker had helped set it up and Willow and Quin had distracted the “babysitters.” A deal was hatched that families were off-limits going forward, but our men were not happy we’d put ourselves in harm’s way. Especially without their knowledge.
“Well, at some point, the patriarchal MC needs a kick in the family jewels,” I hissed. “I’m over being treated like the little woman.”
Jasmine snorted. “Does Doc really treat you like the ‘little woman,’ Liv? Be honest.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not the point.”
She laughed. “Yeah, I kinda think it is.”
“I’m with Liv,” Kennedy said. “Mouse tried to get all alpha male on me and I shut it the fuck down.”
“So that’s why you broke up?” Willow asked.
“It’s not like we were really together,” Kennedy said. “We’re just not really a good fit. I’m looking for a gentleman. Someone with class. No Neanderthal, alpha men need apply.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” I countered. “Doc’s all alpha male, he just recognizes I’m as much of an alpha as he is and doesn’t talk down to me.”
“Badger can mansplain at times,” Quin said. “But he’s learning that when he does, he loses my pussy.”
Willow’s face blushed bright red and she groaned. “You guys share way too much.”
“Oh, please,” Parker said. “Dash is a total alpha. Does that never cause conflict?”
She smiled. “He is. But you have to remember, I’m not as demonstrative as you guys, so I’m not going to deal with some of the same things you do.”
“No, this is true,” Jasmine said. “Mo always threatens to sic you on anyone he needs to get information out of.”
Willow laughed. “Which is so totally weird. I’m not scary at all.”
“Oh, you’re terrifying,” I argued. “Quiet people always are.”
“It’s not just because you’re quiet, though,” Jasmine said. “You have this way of reading people’s minds.”
“No, their motives,” Parker countered. “You know what’s in their hearts. It’s kind of creepy.”
“In a good way,” I rushed to say.
“Yes, in a good way,” Parker said. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make that sound bad.”
“Oh, I got what you meant,” Willow said.
Parker smiled. “See?”
For the rest of the night, I put aside Doc’s strange behavior and focused on enjoying the company of my friends. By the time Gator and Milky took us back to the barn, we were all a little tipsy...well, I was, anyway... and very glad I’d moved my appointments to the following afternoon.
