The smile I get in return is almost bashful. “Hey, Sunshine. Thought I’d come get you and make sure dickface didn’t cause trouble.” He slides his phone back into his cut. “Come here and let me kiss those sweet lips of yours.”
I do as he says, and I realize I’d been nervous that Noah might be waiting for me somewhere.
His arms slip around my waist and he kisses me gently.
“What did you get up to, today?” I ask. “Beyond being my knight in shining armor.”
His hands settle on my ass. “The club went and did some yardwork for Griz and Birdie, because Birdie isn’t doing so good. Did you know she had lung cancer?”
“Karlie told me. We went to see her one day when Grizz was out. She was one of the few old ladies who never had an issue with us, It’s so sad.”
Kai sighs. “It is. Oh, and I checked Jacob’s alibi that he was out of town. He was. Even flew there so there was a paper trail.”
I nibble my lower lip. “I suppose it’s good to be able to rule him out. One less person.”
“Right,” Kai says, but he pulls me close and kisses my forehead.
“Oh my God, Isla.” Karlie stands with her hands on her hips and her mouth open.
“Karlie,” Kai says.
“Hey,” I say. Suddenly, I feel a little embarrassed by my public display of affection.
“I thought you were gay,” Karlie says bluntly.
“I guess that’s where thinking will get you,” Kai says, putting his helmet on and climbing on his bike.
“One minute,” I say to Kai and hurry to her.
“Hey. How have you been?” I ask. “I’ve been meaning to call and?—”
“I can see why you haven’t.” There’s a level of snark to her voice. “Guess I’ve been busy but not as busy as you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Karlie rolls her eyes. “Don’t, Isla. I get it. That whole existential crisis you were having. Was it all just a ploy? Act like you’re no longer a club girl to snag a man?”
“That isn’t what happened.”
“Oh, please,” Karlie says. “All that stuff you said, about feeling contaminated. About becoming a character of what you thought men wanted from you. I should have known it was an act. To make you seem better than the rest of us. Playing hard to get worked, I guess.”
“That isn’t fair.”
“You forget, I know you. All that bullshit about performing and faking and pretending to be game for anything—it wasn’t real.”
I shake my head. “Karlie, please. I don’t want you to be this angry with me.”
“Oh, save me from your act. I get it. Do whatever it takes to become an old lady, right?”
I reach for her hand, but she takes a step back “No, that really wasn’t what I did. I fully intended to step out of the biker world. I know you don’t believe me, but it’s not like I’m an outsider. I’ve served my time as a club girl. Doesn’t that entitle me to be a little happy with Kai and…?”
I stop myself from saying Garrett’s name but it’s too late.
“Oh my God, are you fucking Shade too? For real? Like some buy one get one free deal?”
“That’s enough, Karlie,” Kai says, tearing his helmet off and coming to stand by my side. “You watch your mouth. As enforcer of this club, I don’t want to see your face in it for a month. You understand me?”
She pops a hip. “You wouldn’t.”
