“What are you going to do now?” Lacy asked.
Sugar shrugged. “I know it’s all in the past, but I think maybe it’s time for me to move on. I don’t need this place anymore. And I’ll never be an Old Lady to any of these guys.”
Daisy reached over. “Please don’t leave because of me. Seriously, that shit is so over.”
Sugar smiled and jostled their hands. “I know. We’re good. But really. I came here for protection and because I had nothing. Now? I dunno. I can have a do-over. How many bunnies can really say that?”
We all nodded and got quiet. I took the last sip of my drink and said, “Well, I’ll miss you. But I get it. Just know, you’ll always be one of us, and you’ll always have a home here.”
Penny came up behind me. “You going somewhere?” We all turned, our brows up high. Penny never came to the clubhouse.
Sugar said, “Yeah, I think I am.”
“Can I come?” Penny asked.
Everyone stared at each other. I was wishing I hadn’t finished my drink because everyone else was sipping theirs and I had nothing to busy my hands.
“He can’t keep me here forever. And I’m in no better position than Sugar. I’ve technically finished my degree. I’m never going to have a life if I stay here under Hawk’s nose.” Penny looked around, her shiny, black ponytail swaying as she did. Her lips thinned then she said, “I’ll never get what I want, so it’s time to move on.”
I looked around, but there were so many members I couldn’t be sure who she was looking at. “Well,” I said, “You let me know when you’re ready to talk to him and I’ll do my best to be your wing-woman.”
“I don’t think that’s what you mean,” Daisy said with a grin.
“She’s the First Lady, she can say whatever she wants,” Lacy cut in.
Shiv rolled her eyes. “Penny, just tell her so she can make him see reason. And maybe ya know, fuck some sense into him.”
Penny grimaced. “Oh God, I don’t need to hear about that.”
Laughter erupted, but Kristie tapped my arm nervously. “Shhh,” I said as Hawk came back over.
“Ladies,” he said. “Penny, can I steal these women away?”
“Sure. I just came to tell you I finished. I’ve got my master’s. Well, they’ll mail it, but I’m done. “
Hawk wrapped his sister up and she grimaced. She finally wrapped her arms around him and he said, “So proud of my little sis.”
“Okay, okay. I told Momma earlier. I’ll catch up with you later, Sugar,” Penny said before she walked away.
Hawk grinned as he watched Penny head back out, then he said, “Wow. Wonder how she’ll avoid us now. Anyway, can you all come with me?”
“All of us?” Daisy asked.
Lacy smacked her arm but Hawk smiled. “Yes, all of you. Ma said it was the right thing to do. Sugar should probably come as well.”
I cocked a brow, but was intrigued. He motioned for us to go through the kitchen, so I climbed from my stool and headed that way.
Looking around, I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
“Keep going. Outside,” Hawk said as he walked past and opened the back door.
Mama Hen was outside and the officers had all met up with her. They all pulled their Old Ladies aside, and Mama Hen spoke to Sugar while Hawk stayed with me.
“Is everything okay?” I asked. They all seemed so serious.
“I have something to show you. And you get the option of how to handle it. Ma’s used to a little violence, but–”
“What is happening?” I cut in.
