The moment stretched there—quiet, intimate, the air between them changed. His hand tilted her face back and leaned in capturing her lips with his, pushing the kiss deeper this time, slower, like he was trying to hold onto something he knew he’d almost lost.
Just then, his phone rang. The sharp sound cut through the moment like glass. Razor leaned back, breaking the kiss with a low curse, irritation flashing across his face as reality shoved its way back in.
He pulled the phone from his cut and answered, tone clipped, “What?”
“Hello to you too, princess,” Vicious said on the other end, his voice dry. “We’re needed at the clubhouse.”
Razor exhaled through his nose, as his fingers toyed with Lottie’s hair. “Where are you?”
“Still down at the auto shop.”
Razor glanced toward the door, already shifting gears. “You think Sway would come up and keep Lottie company? She could probably use her best friend tonight.”
There was a pause on the line. “Yeah,” Vicious said finally. “That’ll work. I can swing back and pick her up when we’re done.”
“Good,” Razor said.
Razor hung up, slipped his phone back into his cut, and stood, pulling Lottie up with him. He kissed her again—soft, lingering, reluctant—before murmuring, “I’ve gotta head to the clubhouse with Vicious. Sway’s gonna hang out while we’re gone.”
Lottie nodded, still calm but tired. “Okay. I’ll save you some food.”
“Thanks,” he said, managing a small smile. “It does smell good.”
He brushed his thumb across her knuckles once more before letting go and heading out the door. “Maybe you and Swaycan talk about…you know.”
“You wouldn’t mind?” she asked him, turning her hand over intwining her fingers with his.
“No. Not at all. Sway’s probably already been read in,” he told her.
Lottie smirked. “I’ll make sure you both have a plate when you get back.”
Razor smiled and kissed her quickly before leaving her sitting watching him go.
On the stairs, Sway was already waiting, her hair pulled up, shop keys jingling in her hand as she came up towards him.
“Thanks for hanging out with her,” Razor said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I just dropped a bomb on her. I hate leaving, so… yeah, thank you.”
Sway’s expression softened. “You’re doing right by her, Razor. Go handle your shit. I’ve got Lottie.”
He gave a short nod, then headed down toward his bike—the night air cool, the weight of everything pressing down again as the engine turned over.
Inside, Sway closed the door behind her and went straight to Lottie, wrapping her in a hug—the kind only a best friend could give. “Vicious told me what’s going on, I hope that’s okay?”
Lottie hung on to Sway as she nodded against her shoulder. “Yes.”
It took less than a heartbeat for Lottie to break. Sway felt the tremor start, the quiet sobs shaking through her shoulders. She smoothed a hand down Lottie’s back, gentle and steady. “Let it out,” she murmured. “I’m here. We’ll get you through this.”
Lottie pulled back, eyes glassy with unshed tears. “Will we?”
Sway managed a soft smile. “Yeah. We will.” Then she sniffed the air, forcing a lighter tone. “Now… what smells so good?”
“Lasagna,” Lottie said, brushing at her face as she moved toward the kitchen. “I’ve got a nice red to go with it.”
“None for me,” Sway replied, following her in.
Lottie glanced over her shoulder, brow creasing. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine. Still scared. But Razor found us an amazing doctor. So, that makes us both feel better,” Sway said.
