“It’s part of her charm,” Leon retorts with a twinkle in his eye.
“So… you gonna make her your ol’ lady or what?” I ask, being a complete menace.
Shelby looks at me like I just asked the million-dollar question. But my brother looks over at me like he’d like to stab me with his fork. I shovel cake into my mouth and act completely innocent.
Leon pushes her damp hair off her shoulder and really looks at her. He looks at Shelby the way Axel looks at me. Like no matter what fucked-up shit is happening with the club, no matter any of his personal shit, he wants Shelby to come first.
“That what you want, sugar?” he asks her and she nods her head. “You know I’m on the road a lot more than the otherguys, and I can’t bring you?” he reminds her, but she nods again anyway.
“That’s what I want. I want you,” Shelby declares, and my brother wraps her in his arms.
From the corner of my eye, I swear I see Mickey glaring. I wince when I think about what I heard not that long ago. I honestly like Mickey, but I don’t see how he and my brother would ever work. But the jealousy is clear in his gaze.
“I’ll get you a Property of Ambien jacket when I can,” he says, and I can’t help but burst out laughing. Shelby throws a piece of cake at me with a glare, and I laugh even harder.
“Come on, you’ve got to admit it’s a little fucking funny,” I say, but they both shake their heads as they kiss acting like no one else fucking exists. I envy it, but I’m happy for them more than anything.
This is the lightest I’ve seen Leon in a long time, and it makes me so happy. My brother deserves happiness more than anyone I know. He’s a great protector, and I make a note to let Shelby know she’s lucky, though I think she already knows.
Leon always made sure I was taken care of when my mom wasn’t able to, and I don’t think I’ve ever truly thanked him for that. A lot of my childhood is a blur, but Leon is the one shiny bit in a pile of shit. He taught me how to read, color, and shoot a gun. I smile at the memories.
They part from their kiss, Shelby leaving her arms wrapped around his neck. The smile on her face is radiant as she mouths a thank you to me.
I wince at the information I have to tell them. “Tate left, I need a new ride home,” I sigh.
Leon exhales through his nose and looks at Shelby with a look of irritation. “Look, I know the rules. But there’s no reason Axel can’t drive me home. We’re riding as a pack, it’s not like he’s gonna do anything bad with you right there,” I try to reason.
Leon looks back at Shelby, resting his head against her breasts. It’s honestly incredible that they haven’t started fucking right here on this table.
“Fine, but he stays in formation. He might be my brother, my friend, but if he gets out of line I’ll tug him off his bike by his fuckin’ man bun.”
“I have better blonde hair for you to tug,” Shelby attempts to whisper, but it’s heard clear as day.
“Fuck,” my brother moans, and I back away from the inevitable makeout sesh. I shake my head and go to wait by Axel’s bike.
A huge grin spreads across his face as he struts towards me. I wish he would have taken his clothes off when we swam. But he looks just as good in his jeans, black shirt, and Dead Palms cut.
“You waitin’ for your ride?” he asks, pushing some hair from his face.
“You’re my ride,” I tell him with a grin.
“How the fuck did you manage that?” he questions looking around.
“Leon made Shelby his ol’ lady. They’re about to fuck on the table over there,” I state, using my thumb to point over to where they are heavily making out.
Axel laughs and shakes his head. “About fuckin’ time. You know if I could?—”
I cut him off, shaking my head. “Axel, I know that if it were up to you we would have been together a long time ago,” I softly reassure him, meaning it with every fiber of my being.
I’ve known most of these guys for years, including Axel, but it was always different with him. Each conversation was laced with a flirtatious undertone, he was never known to be with any of the sweet butts, and he’s just so ridiculously good-looking.
“Sometimes it feels like a lot of time lost,” he sighs, not getting close to me. Both of us are facing the water so no one can tell what our conversation is about.
“We’re making up for it now, right?” I look back at Leon and Shelby, wishing I could have the same open romance as they have. I sigh, truly so happy for both of them, but jealousy does still rear its ugly head.
“That’s right. You want to get the fuck out of here?” he asks.
“Part of the deal was staying in formation,” I tell him, and he groans.
