My eyes widened again.
She laughed.“I screwing with you.I can’t remember the last time a Jacksonville brother got shot.”She held up a finger, then pointed it at me.“Now, Nickel’s dad is another story.Gamble got shot going after the men who hurt Nickel’s mom.”
“Really?”I whispered.
“Yeah.I’m not trying to freak you out.I’m saying you never know what’s gonna happen around here.”
I smiled.“Yeah, I’ve caught onto that.”
The back door slammed open and closed.Volt and Cal stormed into the common room with thunderous expressions.
Abby looked at them as though nothing was amiss.“What’s going on, Volt?”
Volt’s anger softened slightly with his surprise.“Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Abby sat a little straighter and stared at Volt.“Yeah, but something’s up.”
Volt sighed and looked at me.“Everyone’s fine.There was a drive-by shooting at the bar about fifteen minutes ago.Nobody was hit, but two of the windows are all busted to shit.The bar and grille’s been closed until the cops have gathered all their evidence, and finished questioning everyone on the scene.”
My stomach twisted.“You’re sure nobody got hit.”
Volt looked at me.“Yeah.If Nickel could call you, he would.As it stands, it’s gonna be a while.”
Abby aimed an expectant look at Cal.“What are you doing here?I’m guessing you’re gonna get the windows handled.”
Cal looked at Abby like she should know better.“Can’t do shit until the investigation’s done.In the meantime the prospects are gonna help out and I got to make sure they know what they’re doing.”
Abby turned to me.“What’d I tell you?There’s no telling what’s gonna happen next around here.”
I sat at one of the picnic tables on the back patio of the clubhouse to get some fresh air.It took serious willpower not to call Ryan.I’d never considered myself to be impatient, but this was killing me.
The moment my cell rang, I snatched it up, grinning at Ryan’s name on the display.
“Are you okay?”I said when the call connected.
His low chuckle came over the line.“I’m fine, Trouble.”
“Yeah, Volt said you were, but… Are you really?”
“Yes, sweetheart.I’ll be leaving in a few minutes.Let your mom know, we might be late.”
My head tipped back and I stared at the puffy afternoon clouds.“Oh God.I forgot all about that.”I righted my head.“I can just tell her we need to cancel.”
“No, Ivy.If you try to reschedule, she’ll want to know why and I don’t want you lying.”
“Fine,” I said.
“Are you in my room?”he asked.
“No, I’m sitting outside on the concrete patio.”
I heard him blow out a breath.“There shouldn’t be anything to worry about at the clubhouse, but I’d feel better if you were inside.”
My head bobbed in a small nod.“All right.I can do that.”
“Good.I’ll be there soon.”
After sending Mom a text letting her know we might be a little late, I spent thirty-five torturous minutes in the common room waiting.The moment I heard the engine noise of a bike pulling in, I dashed out the back door.Ryan pulled his bike into a spot, put the kickstand down, powered down the engine, and swung off.
