He nods and releases a breath. “I know,” he says quietly.
I press my lips to his forehead and keep him close until I feel the next breath leave him. Then I release him.
“Come on,” I murmur.
We head for the clubhouse, and as soon as we step inside, I regret everything.
Fucking Maple.
She looks up from the table where she’s sitting with Kurt, and I practically growl.
“Out,” I snap, stepping to the side and pointing at the open door.
Cade quickly sidesteps my hand, and I catch Mac near the bar rolling his eyes and tipping his head back dramatically.
“Alder, stop,” Kurt says, narrowing his eyes at me in warning.
I walk over to the table, snatching the envelope sitting between them before Maple can grab it.
“How much of my blood you getting this time, huh?” I flip through the wad of cash inside, letting out a low whistle. “Must be nice to do absolutely nothing and get this kind of pay day.”
“Fuck off,” Maple hisses, grabbing it from my hands. “You know fuckingnothing.”
“Oh?” I ask, slipping my hands into my jeans’ pockets. “Do tell.”
Kurt sighs and holds up a hand. “Enough. Both of you. I’m not in the fucking mood for this today.”
“Then don’t fucking bring her here,” I say, reaching into my cut and pulling out my cigarettes. And, fuck me, I don’t have a lighter, since I threw mine out in an attempt to quit this morning.
I hold up my hand and snap at Caz as I place a cigarette between my lips, and he stares at me for a moment before it finally clicks. He fishes his lighter out of his pocket, and side steps Wingnut’s lunge as he walks over to hand it to me.
“You’re such a dick,” Maple mutters, waving the smoke away as I blow it in her face.
I slap on a fake smile. “Only for you.”
She scowls, then her eyes flick past me, where Mac is guiding Cade towards the couches to watch the guys play pool.
“Surprised he’s still around,” she mutters. “Doubt that’ll last long.”
I pull in a long drag, keeping my eyes locked on Maple as smoke curls down my throat and into my lungs. But the anger burns hotter. I exhale slowly, right into her face again, and she coughs, trying to wave it away as she shoots daggers at me.
“You know she fucking hates the club, right?” I say, shifting my attention to Kurt. “She’d rather watch it bleed than see it survive. So why the hell are we handing her our hard-earned cash?”
Kurt shakes his head. “Alder. Let it go.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “What does she have on you?”
“For fuck’s sake.” He rubs his forehead. “This is why I didn’t have fucking kids. Yet somehow I end up with you two.”
Maple rolls her eyes, and I shoot Kurt a glare.
“Oh, great,” he mutters. “A rare moment of agreement.” He leans back in his chair. “Your mom and Cedar are stopping bylater. I figured we’d do a club barbecue after the meet and get the families together. We’re overdue for an easy, nice afternoon.”
I nod. “Good call.” Then I turn to Maple. “Sorry, that means you’ll need to clear out if we’re having a nice afternoon.”
And right on cue, Wingnut waddles under the table and nips her ankle.
She yelps and shuffles back, seething. “What the fuck is this duck even doing here?”
