Sutter showed off his new play set and explained the ideas we’d come up with for an observatory in the old barn. Though his homesickness still hit from time to time, he loved his new room with the murals painted by Ojai and Vanessa.
“I wish they’d fall in love,” Elle told me that night about my club brother and her cousin. “They’re both pretty blonds who paint. Can you imagine how cute their kids would be?”
Unfortunately, Ojai and Vanessa shared the same energy as Vanessa did with her brother. I didn’t see them making a baby in the future.
But I understood why Elle wanted another Crimson Guard chick in Baton Rouge. She missed having a dozen friends in and out of her life every day. Alabama was more like a fun aunt than a pal.
I also sensed Elle didn’t trust discussing relationship details with anyone connected to the Black Rainbow. She was very protective of my image within the club.
The Void hadn’t stirred up trouble in months. By the time Exile and Lula got married before Halloween, I felt comfortable having the entire Black Rainbow club in Little Memphis for the wedding. The ceremony and party were at the Sorority House.
“Is this something you plan on doing one day?” Ford asked me.
“Buying your daughter a house wasn’t enough? Now, I’ve got to buy her bling, too?”
Ford smirked. “I’m old-fashioned.”
I chuckled at the idea of Ford Reed being a stuffy old school guy. My gaze flashed to Elle on the back porch with Cher. She looked happy surrounded by her people.
“I’ll get on one knee and say the words, but she won’t want a wedding until she can fit in her old clothes.”
“Fair enough,” Ford said and smiled at Shay nearby. “You’ve neutered yourself real well so far. I’ll trust you can stick the landing.”
The next day, the Reed family and their friends continued the celebration by throwing a grilling party at both Ford and Pax’s houses. People spoke over the fence separating the yards. Exile and Lula couldbarely keep their hands off each other. Elle noticed their horniness and decided to fondle my ass.
“Stay still,” she instructed. “I’m trying to make a point here.”
“Is your point that you can give me a boner with your parents nearby?”
Elle smiled up at me and stared into my eyes. “No, it’s that you’re the hottest man in the world and I’m thrilled to have access to everything you’re packing.”
“Oh, then, I approve.”
I kissed Elle with the heat she was seeking. Exile and Lula walked over to complain.
“Stop stealing our limelight,” Lula bitched at Elle.
“Your time in the sun is over. We’re the hot couple now.”
Clint appeared behind me with Ivy at his side. “We’re so secure in our relationship that we don’t need to slobber on each other in public.”
“Someone’s frigid,” Elle taunted her brother and won snickers from Lula. “Poor Ivy goes to sleep in a dead bedroom each night.”
Ivy texted the term “dead bedroom” before gasping and insisting, “No, we’re still wild hot for each other. Here, let me climb Clint and suck on his tongue.”
Clint laughed when she jumped up and forced him to catch her little body in his arms. They began kissing sloppily.
“Gross,” Elle muttered and then reached for my jaw. “I think we can be grosser. Let’s do this thing.”
A contest broke out between the three couples. Sutter ran away in horror. Ford threatened to get the hose and spray us down. Shay and Bebe started chanting for their respective kids.
Finally, Boone showed up to end the contest. “Guys, you’re making people want to vomit. Pax nearly threw up his potato salad.”
While Elle grinned at me like we’d been praised, Boone lingered, seeming nervous. Finally, he focused on my VP.
“Hey, Exile,” Boone said and stepped back as if ready to run. “Your sister is great. She’s sweet and sexy, so I’m going to ask her out.”
Exile scowled at me first and then shook his head. “Not yet.”
