“No,” Skip says, pulling Eli back against his body. “But I wouldn’t be so sure about yours.”
“Oh, come on,” Cody whines. “You used to be the cool one. What the hell happened?”
“I’m still the fucking cool one, twinkie,” Skip replies, failing to hide the smirk tugging at his mouth. “You know damn well how club politics work. Especially with the Shadows. Family always comes first.”
His arm tightens around Eli, possessive and unapologetic.
“And our precious ones?” Skip continues. “They’re always protected. Even from little twinks who try to convince the club Princess to slip onto some random dick.”
“Who’s trying to slip onto some random dick?”
Crusher and Maverick slide into our loose circle, both of them looking at Skip like they’re expecting an answer.
I don’t wait for one.
I’m suddenly exhausted by the conversation, by the noise, by the music pounding against my ribs. So I turn and walk away, knowing…like I always do…that someone will follow.
Because someone always does.
The only time I’m truly alone is when I’m home. And even then, the compound is never quiet. There’s always something loudly going on. Fighting, laughter, engines revving, or my neighbors having sex.
And I live right next to Bubby and Riley.
A shiver runs through me at the reminder that I hear my brother having sex every single night.
Not for the first time, the thought slips into my mind.
I could move out.
Rent a small apartment near my shop. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere that feels like it’smine.
There’s only one thing that’s ever stopped me.
Tank.
No matter how many times he’s told me he doesn’t want me… my heart has always held onto the hope that one day, he’d wake up and realize we’re meant to be together.
As I weave through the crowd toward the bar, bodies shifting and parting around me, that hope finally dies.
The crowd opens.
And I freeze.
Tank is on the dance floor.
His hands are on her ass, fingers digging in like he’s claiming territory. Her hands are everywhere…his shoulders, his chest, her body pressed tight against his like there isn’t an inch of space between them.
It looks like they’re having sex standing up.
His body is interested. There’s no mistaking that.
But his face?
His face is empty.
No smile. No heat. No emotion at all.
Just… there.
