We sat down at one of the patio tables. He pulled out his pocket knife and cut up one of the limes while I opened the bottle and filled the shot glass.
“You get the first one. I think you need it more than me anyway,” Shaker said.
“What makes you say that?” I asked before picking up the glass and taking the first shot. I hissed. “I always hate the first one.”
“Wuss.” I refilled the glass for him. He tipped it back with no fanfare. “I was in there when you came in. Saw what you saw. Grabbed the tequila and followed you out here.”
I grabbed the shot glass and muttered, “I don’t want to talk about it,” right before downing my second shot.
“You sure about that?”
“Yes. Pour me another.” He did, and then again, and again, and again.
“I think that’s enough for now, Reese.”
“Why?” I slurred and swayed. “I’m only seeing two of you. I thought the cutoff was at three.” I clapped my hands together and cackled into the night. I was damn funny when I was drunk, at least I thought so anyway.
Shaker shook his head. “Your brother is going to kill me.”
“My brother is probably balls deep in a club whore’s ass right now, yanking her hair and making her scream for mercy. If he’s thinking about you, there’s a problem.” I arched a brow and tipped my chin down slightly. “Know what I'm saying?”
His face contorted in disgust. “Oh, shut the fuck up, Reese. I don’t want to know anything about what Carbon does with his dick and it damn sure doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
“Methinks he doth protest too much.”
“Methinks your ass is about to get tossed into the pool.”
I clumsily lifted my foot and waggled it at him. “You can’t. Nana-nana-boo-boo.”
“Brat.”
“You called?”
He rolled his eyes and huffed. “Note to self. No more tequila for Reese, ever.”
I stuck my bottom lip out and pouted. “Oh, come on, Shaker, I’m just teasing you. I’ve had a rough time of it lately and I need to blow off some steam.”
“Yeah, yeah. Use me and abuse me.” I almost didn’t hear the last part because he said it so quietly. “Just like the rest of them.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing.” He sat up straighter in his chair. “So, why did you come to the clubhouse tonight?”
“Pour me another shot and I’ll tell you.”
“If you puke on me, I’m tossing you into the pool, booted foot or not.”
“Deal.” I put my hand out to shake his. He laughed but shook my hand. “Harper showed up at the farm looking for Duke. She found me and Ember instead. She was furious and demanded to know why no one told her about James. I told her to talk to her brother about that, so here we are.”
He sat quietly for a few minutes. He leaned back in his chair and cocked his head to one side. “Can I ask you something?”
“You just did.”
“Such a smartass.” He chuckled. “Why didn’t you tell Duke about the baby?” I opened my mouth, but he put up a hand to stop me. “I’m not passing judgment, I’m honestly just curious. I know you, and I know you wouldn’t do something like that without a good reason.”
“You’re right. I did have a good reason…” I trailed off. “I don’t mind telling you, but it needs to stay between me and you right now. This isn’t a club thing and I don’t want every member knowing my business.”
“Got it. Does your reason affect the club in any way or is it strictly personal?”
