“I’m his friend.”
“Right, Chaos’s friend.” Something about the way she says it sounds like she doesn’t believe me. “Willa, this is everyone.”
“I’d stand up, but that’s not happening,” a woman with honey-brown hair says from her chair; she’s rubbing her full belly. “I’m Tempe, Steel’s old lady.”
She tilts her head toward the window beside us, where a group of bikers is standing at the edge of the party inside. I assume the one with his eyes glued on Tempe is Steel, who I’ve yet to meet but know is the club’s president.
“Usually, I’d have come to say hello sooner,” Tempe continues. “But I haven’t been feeling well. Rough pregnancy. Only a couple of months left, so long as she stays put for that long.”
Tempe’s gaze darts to Steel again, worry etched on both their faces. My heart hurts for them—for what they must be going through if she’s worried she might have her baby early.
“I hope you feel better soon,” I say, hopefully.
“I’m sure I will.” She smiles, glancing at the blonde beside her, who is also rubbing her pregnant belly. “It’s all worth it, right?”
“It will be,” the blonde says with a big smile, glancing up at me. “I meant to come introduce myself as well, but it’s been so busy between the end of the school year and Bea’s extracurriculars. I’ve been running all over town. But it’s so nice to finally meet you. I’m Reagan, Legacy’s old lady.”
She glances at the biker standing next to Steel. Legacy winks when he catches Reagan watching him, and he’s by far the most clean-cut of the bikers I’ve seen here. Hisdirty blond hair is perfectly styled, and there’s not one tattoo on his arms.
“The guy next to Legacy with all the tattoos is Havoc, Aimee’s man,” Reagan adds, nodding at a woman with short brown hair sitting in their circle. “And Luna said you’ve met Ghost.”
All four guys stay on the other side of the glass, talking, giving the girls some space, while also clearly not wanting to let them out of sight.
“When I heard Dean joined a motorcycle club, this is not what I pictured.” I glance at the group of them. “They don’t make bikers that hot in Texas.”
The girls laugh, and Aimee scoots over on a bench, patting the seat beside her. “They don’t make them like that anywhere. Come sit.”
I recognize Aimee from the strip club the day I came to town. She was talking to Dean at the bar, and for a second, I thought he was dating her. As Havoc watches her through the window, I realize that’s clearly not the case.
“Thanks.” I drop down beside her, taking a sip of my margarita. It’s a heavy pour that makes my mouth pucker. “Wow, that’s strong.”
Aimee laughs. “Luna says we’re drinking for five to make up for Tempe and Reagan being pregnant, so she went heavy on the tequila.”
“She committed.” I choke down another sip, which already tastes better than the last as my thoughts start to swim. “It’s good though. Strawberry is my favorite.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Luna says, smiling. “So, you and Chaos… just friends, huh?”
“Right to the point? I’m not even one drink in.” I take a sip, and she laughs, waving me to continue. “Yes, we’re just friends, nothing more. Althoughfriendsmight be a strong word at this point. We haven’t seen each other in over a decade. Not since the night I chose his brother.”
I probably shouldn’t have said that, but the tequila is loosening my tongue.
“What do you mean youchosehis brother?” Aimee’s face pinches, and all four girls stare at me.
“Maybe that was the wrong word.”
“Or not.” Tempe’s eyebrow hitches.
“Yeah, or not,” I agree. After all, that’s technically what happened, even if it was much more complicated than that. “It’s a long story.”
“Then start at the beginning,” Luna nudges.
All four girls watch me, curious. Maybe I should keep my mouth shut. I don’t know these girls, and they’ll probably just report everything I say back to Dean’s friends. But I’ve been locked in his room alone so long, and I’m tired of keeping everything bottled up.
I take a sip of my drink, finding courage. “Dean and I met when we were teenagers. I moved to Lanceleaf my first year of high school, and our families owned neighboring ranches. His stepdad became friends with my father. Between that and school, I saw a lot of Dean and his brother.”
“It’s like one of those Christmas movies,” Reagan says.
“Or a Wild West show,” Luna adds.
