Page 42 of Sweet Pea

“There will be lots of alcohol, probably some public displays of debauchery. You never know at a club party.”

“Wait, I thought this was an engagement party.”

“It is. But most of the guests are club members.”

“Right.” She grinned. “I hope the booze I bought them goes over well.”

“It’s booze,” I said. “Booze always goes over well.”

We headed to the Sanctuary and pulled into a space near the front. I helped her out, making sure I slid my hand between her legs for a brief second and smiled when I heard her quiet gasp.

“You’re gonna make tonight impossible, aren’t you?” she deduced.

I chuckled. “Only if you’re lucky.”

“Oh, wait. I forgot to ask. Who are the happy couple?”

“Clutch and Eldie,” I replied.

“Clutch? Oh, my God. He won’t want me here.”

“Why would you say that?”

“He didn’t seem very happy about my presence here the other day.”

“Clutch isa good guy, he’s just a professional asshole. He’s been riding me pretty hard since getting my Road Captain’s patch, but I think he’s just trying to look out for me. Don’t worry about him. He’ll like you just fine.”

“If you say so.”

“Besides, my brother is the one you really have to worry about,” I said.

“Wait, what?” Callie replied in a panicked tone, but I took her hand and guided her inside to find the party already in full swing.

“Sweet Pea!” Minus bellowed with a laugh. “You’re late!”

I grinned. “No, I’m not.”

“Ignore him,” Cricket, his woman, suggested as she walked over to us. “He’s already an entire sheet to the wind.” She stuck her hand out with a grin. “I’m Cricket. Minus is mine. Well, when I choose to claim him.”

Callie shook her hand with a laugh. “I’m Callie. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Come on in. I’ll introduce you to a few people.”

“I can do that, babe,” I said, not wanting Callie out of my sight.

Cricket raised an eyebrow. “But then I can’t talk about you behind your back.”

Callie raised the gift bag and asked, “Is there a gift table?”

“Sure, follow me.”

Cricket expertly separated my woman from me and led her over to where gifts were already overloading a table, and I watched them closely as they chatted.

“So, I see you’re represented by legal counsel this evening,” Clutch joked beside me.

I gave him a side glance before focusing back on Callie. “Yeah.”

“Are you domesticatin’ after all?”

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