I didn’t bother facing him, still staring out into the void. “He’s not…saving me.” I didn’t know if Sabre would understand, but I felt like he might be the most reasonable member of my family. “Don’t w...want to be…alone.”
Sabre made a humming noise, and I patted the seat next to me on the bed Grace had vacated. He humored me, even though we were probably on a time crunch.
“I’m okay. He…didn’t…pressure me.”
“If I thought he had, I would have beaten his ass. I won’t stand in the way of your choice, but I’m not sure if the two of you are doing this for the right reasons.”
“I don’t…know.” I shrugged. “He’s a…good…man.”
“None of us are good men.” Sabre’s smile took up his entire face, and I felt my lips tip up into one of my own.
“I app…rove.”
His brow furrowed as he leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.
“You’re a…good man… You didn’t…ask me…Grace.”
“Aw, fuck. You’re the only important person I need approval from. I didn’t think you would say no, but I wasn’t sure, so I put it off. Word must have gotten around.” He slid off the bed, kneeling in front of me. “Aunt E, I’ve had some pretty good examples of love, but it’s more than that. I promise you, if you approve, I’ll always stand by Grace. In front of her for protection. Behind her when she’s conquering the world. Until the day death parts us.”
“I...approve.”
Chapter 9
A Wedding Picnic
Thunder
I was grateful Flo had offered to throw a wedding picnic for the club, and everyone else had stepped up to make sure it was a success. White tablecloths decorated the tables, and flower arrangements sat in the center. I didn’t have to pretend I was at a real wedding reception, and I stopped playing host. I wanted to stand in the corner and watch my wife, and I didn’t think that was too much to ask for.
“What do you think they’re talking about?” Grizz questioned, coming up on my right side.
We were too far to hear, but Bear had them captivated. She was gesturing wildly, and whatever it was couldn’t have been good. Liz’s face was a little pale, but she maintained a small smile. Dee pointed at Bear as she said something, and then the entire table cracked up laughing—everyone but my wife.
“Do you think Bear is telling stories about the past?” Sabre appeared on my left.
I raised my eyebrows, instantly on alert. “What’s this?”
“Sabre insisted we needed to have a weird sex talk with you, since we’re related.” My head snapped in Grizz’s direction. “Hey, don’t look at me like that.” He held his hands up, taking a step back. “If my wife catches wind of this conversation, and I don’t have the right answers, she’s sending my ass to the couch.”
I didn’t believe him for a second. “Do the two of you even argue, or just play with eachother?”
“I don’t play enough.” He winked at me before throwing his head back and laughing. I searched the yard for Buster, landing on her as she sat at one of the picnic tables with her friends. Grizz must have felt her gaze. Their faces went soft for a beat as they watched each other. “Nah, we’re good. She’s got other problems right now. Stella stole Pumpkin, and Dead is hovering over the two of them. I’m in the clear.”
“He needs to admit defeat and claim her already.” Sabre shifted his stance, his shiny dress shoes noticeable in the sun. I had my suspicions who had conned the brothers into wearing suits for the ceremony. As soon as it was over, they had removed the jackets, throwing them into a pile, and putting their club cuts back on.
I focused back on Liz, but she hadn’t regained her color. Taking a step in her direction, I planned on rescuing her before Sabre stopped me.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Saving my wife.”
“She told me this morning you weren’t saving her.”
“If you were going to grill me, you should’ve done it sooner.” If it had been anyone else, I would have kept walking across the yard. I was one of the oldest members still alive, but Sabre was president, and I wouldn’t disrespect him like that. I was going to have to stay where I was until these two got their point across.
He shrugged. “Maybe, but I’m doing it now. She thinks you’re being a good ‘friend’, and she’s not well enough to understand you’ve claimed her.”
I said nothing, letting his words simmer.
