“Roxy and Foxy,” I repeat, a smile tugging at my lips despite my nervousness. “I love that.”
Frankie pushes her glasses up her nose and waves. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I smile.
Roxy slides out of the booth and takes both my hands in hers, her crystal blue eyes studying me intently. She turns my palms up, examining them for a moment before smiling warmly.
“Welcome to the family, sweetheart,” she says, squeezing my fingers.
Family.
The word hits me in an empty place I didn’t know I was desperate to fill.
I open my mouth, but the sincerity in her eyes leaves me speechless. Instead, I just nod and whisper, “Thank you.”
The clubhouse door bangs open, and Stella bursts in with Brooklyn trailing behind her. “Where is she?” Stella demands.
My eyes go to Brookie, and my lip twitches. Bless her heart. She looks like she just rolled out of bed. Her hair is pulled up in a messy bun, the oversized sweatshirt she’s wearing is hanging off one shoulder and despite the fact we’re indoors, she’s wearing massive sunglasses that cover half her face.
“June!” Stella cries when she spots me. She rushes over and wraps me in a hug. “Are you okay? Bax told me they moved you to the clubhouse.”
“I’m fine,” I assure her, hugging her back. “Just a little shell-shocked.”
Gator, who’s been lingering near the bar, straightens up the second he realizes Brooklyn just walked in. “Rough night?” he calls, grinning at her like the cat that got the cream.
Brooklyn doesn’t even spare him a glance. “I will end you, Shrek.”
Gator places a hand over his heart. “You wound me, Menace.”
Brooklyn turns to me. “Where do they keep the knives in this joint?”
All the old ladies laugh, and I can’t help but join in. The tension I didn’t realize I was carrying in my shoulders eases a fraction.
“Church!” Tacoma’s deep voice booms across the common room.
The men inside the clubhouse immediately begin moving towards a hallway at the back of the room.
Journey squeezes my hip once. “We’ll be back,” he says, his eyes lingering on mine before he takes off, leaving me standing here breathless as I watch him leave.
“Damn.” Every woman at the table turns to me with curious eyes.
“So,” Foxy says, leaning forward. “You and Journey, huh?”
My face burns so hot I’m surprised my makeup doesn’t melt off. “I—we’re not—he’s just?—”
“Just what?” Foxy presses, her green eyes twinkling with mischief. “Because that hand on your ass when he walked in screamedthe girl is mine.”
I swing my gaze to Stella, my heart thumping in my chest like a kick drum. This is it. This is the part in the movie where the heroine loses her bestest friend in the whole wide world over a stupid boy and his stupid smile. It’s the cardinal rule, ya know? Sisters before misters, and I’ve gone and broken it by doing the dance with no pants with her brother. Okay, not the whole dance, but we made out. And there was totally going to be some dancing if Gator and Bash hadn't interrupted us. She’s going to hate me forever.
“Stells…”
Stella holds up her hand. “Babe, I’ve known you had a crush on my brother since freshman year.”
My jaw drops. “Youknew?”
“Girl, you used to turn into a tomato every time he walked into the room,” she laughs. “Your face might as well have subtitles.”
“And you’re... okay with it?” I ask cautiously.
