“Am I wrong to think it was him all along feeding information to the Moccasins?”
“If you’re wrong, then brother I’m wrong, too.”
Afraid to get caught eavesdropping, I back away and make my way back downstairs. I want to stay and listen, but I know that my best bet is to not be found here. I know I wasn’t supposed to hear any of that and I also know there’s likely more than I don’t know about the war.
I knew that Snapper was capable of being crazy. Hell, maybe that’s why they call him Snapper. Downstairs, Linc and Leo are fidgeting with the radio, and Shorty is behind the bar. Mindy, Carrie, and Lucy are sitting at the table, none of them moved an inch.
“Where’d you go?” Mindy asks.
“Was looking for Cass but I didn’t see him and I had to pee, so I used the bathroom upstairs.”
“Oh, I think he went outside earlier,” Lucy says.
“It’s okay. I’m sure he’s around here somewhere.” I shrug my shoulders, hoping my indifference is genuine.
‘Jingle Bell Rock’ blasts through the speakers around the clubhouse and a victorious shout from behind the bar has everyone looking over at them. Leo and Linc are high fiving one another, excited that they finally got the stereo system to work. They were evidently working on Christmas music. How fitting.
Mindy is smiling at Linc from where she sits and he winks at her. I feel like an intruder. I peeped in on their moment.
Cass and Snapper come down the stairs, and their facial expressions show no sign of the intense conversation they were having a few minutes ago. Thesecretive, intense conversation that I wasn’t supposed to hear, I remind myself. I can’t help but wonder what all I don’t know that Cass has done in this war. I mean, I know he’s done wrong, committed murder, and caused bloodshed, but they were things that I didn’t see or hear about. This is different in my mind somehow. I’m trying to focus on pushing these thoughts out of my head. I don’t want to focus on the negative. It’s Christmas Eve, I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted plus some, and we are surrounded by our club family. People that would do anything in the world for everyone in this room. How could I be worried about anything else?
“Lilly?” Mindy waves her hand in front of my face.
“Huh?”
“I was saying that you brought the cookies and brownies, then I noticed you were zoned out.”
I brush it off and smile. “Yeah, I was just thinking of what all I need to do around the house tomorrow morning before you, Linc, Mom, David, and Clayton get there.”
It’s Mindy’s turn to shoot silent daggers at me with her eyes. She knows I’m full of shit, but she won’t call me on it. That’s why she’s my best friend.
“What time is it? I’m ready to eat.” Mindy looks down at her watch.
“It’s almost six. Ten til. And look, here comes Cass,” I say, looking at Cass walking in our direction.
“Hello, ladies. Are y’all about ready to get this party going in full swing?” he asks, smiling at the four of us around the table.
“Hell yeah. Let’s eat!” Carrie’s enthusiasm makes me giggle. I cant blame her. I’m pretty hungry myself.
“After dinner, though, we’re doing the gift giveaway.”
Cass smiles at me. “Yes, baby. You can do the gift giveaway after dinner. I know it’s been killing you to hold in the secret of the gifts you bought.”
I scrunch my lips and nose up at him. “Has not.” I’m in denial. I know I can hardly keep any gift I buy a secret.
“Mmhmm. Whatever you say, beautiful.”
I roll my eyes at him, and he winks at me before walking away. The music stops and Cass is standing in the center of the room, commanding silence and respect with his presence alone.
“I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight to celebrate Christmas with this family of ours. We couldn’t be any more blessed than to have you here. Merry Christmas everyone. Let’s eat!”
A roar of cheers, hand claps and whistles erupt and the line for the food forms quickly. Linc, Shorty, and Leo look swamped behind the bar, and I would offer to help but there’s a strict policy in the club house: no one aside from prospects and members allowed behind the bar. It’s a shame too, because this crowd really isn’t that big. I know I shouldn’t be so eager to get back behind a bar, but I have missed it. Life has been so….tame lately. I need a little bit of excitement.
I down the rest of my mixed drink and get in line behind Mindy, who is eyeing me and rubbing her belly impatiently with a pained look on her face.
“So. Hungry,” she groans.
“That’s what you get for not eating all day!” I whisper shout.
