She studies his face, then glances over to check my expression too. “If you have faith in me, the least I can do is have faith in your judgement and perhaps find a little faith in myself.” Isla takes a breath. “Let’s go to the clubhouse.”
32
ISLA
It’s harder to know which emotion carries more weight, the exhilaration or the terror.
I’m an old lady.
On my own terms.
Finding myself made that happen.
I ran over to Garrett and Kai’s home earlier than they said, even though they told me to wait at my place, because I wanted to tell them some good news. But in the big scheme of everything that happened since I knocked on their bedroom door, the fact one of my videos has gone viral seemed like something that could wait.
A famous podcaster commented on it, saying they’d love to get in touch to talk about what I’m doing, which is the biggest thrill. I started making and editing the videos for my own benefit, but if they can help others, I want to lean into it. I’m keeping my job at the vet’s because it pays the bills, but I really want to make my social media and videos more polished.
But I’m also on the way to the clubhouse, which means, I’m too nervous to tell the two of them about it now.
Sure, I’m sandwiched on the bench seat of Garrett’s truck between him and Kai. But as the clubhouse is looming closer, my palms sweat. I wipe them down my jeans.
Kai takes my hand as Garrett drives. “You doing okay, Sunshine?”
“I’m nervous,” I admit.
He puts his arm around me and pulls me close. I tuck my head against his shoulder as we pull into the lot.
“We can turn around,” Garrett says as he parks the truck. He kills the engine and turns to face me. “You don’t need to do this. Tonight should be a happy memory.”
Music bleeds from the clubhouse as the door opens and closes. It’s bass heavy, some big rock song.
This place defined me.
Then, it rejected me.
Now, I think I need to make peace with it. Because the club is a huge part of who Garrett and Kai are, and I’ll miss moments like this with them if I don’t try.
“No,” I say, firmer than I actually feel. “Let’s go in.”
Kai slips his hand from around me and opens his door before Garrett opens his. They move with the synchronized energy they’re both known for. They’ve always seemed to know what the other is thinking.
The night air is cold, biting through my jacket, and I’m suddenly very aware of my clothing choices. Dark jeans that fit me comfortably. Boots with an edge. I look down at them and straighten the hem of my jacket.
“You look beautiful,” Garrett says, coming up behind me.
Kai’s eyes sweep over me, close and appreciative. “I’m gonna fuck you in just the boots sometime…just so you know.”
My cheeks warm. “Thank you.”
Garrett takes my hand. “Come on, Sunbeam. Let me show my old lady off to the club.”
“Ourold lady,” Kai adds, throwing his arm over Garrett’s shoulder. “If we’re making a statement about who we are, does that include you and me?”
Garrett nods. “Yeah, Wild. What the fuck have we got to lose? They all know anyway.”
When we enter the clubhouse, the noise dips. Not like one of those needles across a record scratches that you see in movies, but enough that I feel it.
Heads start to turn. Conversations pause as people lose track of what they’re saying. Eyes move to us.
