“Absolutely not. Don’t let one bitter ex ruin this for you. The town loves you. They’ll see who Effa really is.”
A reluctant smile tugs at my mouth. I wrap an arm around Kiera’s shoulders and push off the wall, and before we step back into the main room, I scan for Lilah, but she and Jaydin are gone.
Good.
Effa looks up the second I approach. “Everything okay?”
“Everything’s great, baby. How’s your head?” I ask, rubbing her knee under the table.
“Still a little achy. Stop fussing.”
“Have you had enough fun for tonight?”
“Yeah, I’m ready when you are.”
“As soon as Gran’s ready, we’ll head out.”
She nods, then leans down to Luke, whispering something in his ear. He stands with her, and they head toward the bar.
I frown slightly, wondering what that’s about.
Gran turns to me mid-story, smiling. “… and that was when he told me he wanted to leave. I was devastated, but so proud.”
Lettie dabs at her eyes. “When the girls left for their first tour, it nearly broke me. Watching your babies grow up is the hardest thing.”
“But they’re in good hands. Luke looks after them like they’re his own,” Lettie continues. “What happened to Effa wasn’t anyone’s fault. Especially not Luke’s.”
Gran squeezes her hand in agreement.
“Luke’s protective,” I say, raising my voice slightly. “But we all look out for each other, right?”
“Hell yeah,” Tank and Andi call out.
“We’re basically family,” Kristy adds.
“We’re in each other’s space even when we don’t want to be,” Casey mutters.
Gran and Lettie exchange that look only mothers can share.
Effa and Luke return, and Effa smiles at everyone. “The bill’s taken care of. I just wanted to thank you all for coming out tonight and for everything you’ve done recently. It means more than you know.”
Gran gasps. “Oh, sweetheart, you didn’t have to do that.”
I stand, taking the cue. “All right, I’m getting this one home. She needs rest.”
Goodbyes ripple around the table before I take Effa’s hand and glance at Kiera, whose face has gone pale, her eyes heavy.
“Come on, ladies. Let’s get you home.” I slip my arm around Kiera to steady her. She leans into me without protest.
“Sounds good,” Effa murmurs.
We make our way toward the door with Gran following behind and as we step out into the night air, Effa swallows andlooks up at me. “So… I couldn’t help but notice Lilah left in quite a state. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
Fuck!
Chapter Nine
EFFA
