I pushed away from the fence and started toward the clubhouse because standing out here wasn’t getting me anywhere, and I was done waiting.
Ever had been right there in front of me all along, and I had missed it.
That wasn’t going to happen anymore.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ever
Despite the chaos around me, I was still grappling with the embarrassment of Jesse’s behavior, replaying the scene in my mind like a broken record.Why had I thought bringing him to the club was a good idea?He had never acted like that before, and it left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Just then, a woman with bold purple hair swung down onto the couch beside me, breaking my spiral of self-doubt.
“My turn,” she said, her voice bright and welcoming.
I blinked at her, confusion evident.“Uh, for what?”
She leaned closer, her smile warm and infectious.“I’m Meg.You don’t know me, but I know you because you were me years ago.I could say how many years ago, but then I’d just feel old, and I’m not ready for that.”
I tilted my head, trying to place her.She pointed across the room to an older biker standing by the pool table, lost in conversation with Wrecker.“He’s mine,” she added proudly.
“Uh, that’s nice,” I offered, my attempts at conversation feeling weak.
Meg chuckled, a sound that felt like sunshine breaking through the clouds.“God, you are so me, girl.But like me years ago.”She gestured toward Jude, leaning casually against the doorframe, his presence magnetic and somehow reassuring, even from a distance.“That is Lo many years ago.You are us.”As she patted my leg, a strange warmth spread through me.“You’re going to be okay, doll.Just let that man love you.”With that, she stood up and disappeared out the door, leaving me with a blend of confusion and curiosity.
Penny, noticing my bewilderment, flopped down in Meg’s empty spot.“What’s wrong?”
I pointed toward the exit, struggling to make sense of my night.“I don’t really know what just happened.Meg just said I am her, and then…” I shook my head, trying to figure out what she had just said.“I think maybe someone should check on her.”
“Most people are confused after they talk to Meg.It’s part of her charm,” Penny laughed, seemingly unbothered by my turmoil.
“She told me that I was her, and Jude was Bo.”
“Lo,” Penny corrected, her laughter bubbling again.“His name is Lo, though everyone calls him King.He’s the Prez of the Devil’s Knights.Alice met her a few years ago at some car convention, and they’ve kept in touch.Honestly, they’re so much alike that it’s freaky.”
I processed this information, still feeling dizzy.
“How are you feeling?”she asked, genuine concern in her eyes.
“Still embarrassed,” I sighed.
“You are not the one who should be embarrassed.That tool Jesse should be the embarrassed one.”
“Yeah,” I sighed, sinking further into the couch.“But I’m the idiot who brought him here.I swear he never acted like that before.It was just so weird.It was like once we got here, something in him just flipped.”
“Men,” Penny muttered, rolling her eyes.“I know my mom and aunts found good guys, but seriously, I am more than okay with being single for the rest of my life.Adopt a couple of dogs and just go live by the river.”
“In a van?”I joked, wanting to lighten the mood.
“More like an RV so I can just travel around with my dogs,” she replied, her expression serious yet playful.
I watched her, admiration swelling in my chest.“Seriously?”
“Yeah,” she said, a distant look in her eyes.“I love this life, but there has to be more out there, ya know?”
Looking around, I saw a group of people gathered, all sharing stories, laughter, and warmth, and I felt an unexpected pang of envy.Penny should feel lucky to be a part of this, and yet, here I was, lost and confused.
“Penny!”Bell called from across the room.“Come dance with me!”
