Page 4 of Hawk's Sapphire

I’malmostconvinced Cash is an evil genius for the shit he pulls, hiding behind the façade of an immature playboy biker.He and Hawk have that in common.I don’t know why Cash does it, but I know Hawk uses his charismatic personality to hide the pain his father put everyone through.He’s taken on the sins of his father as his own.

We have that in common.

Cash’s bullshit is also why I’m fairly certain it was Ethan who made the insistence about everything being here.He’s already had to deal with Cash showing up whenever he wants, at the house, the gym, the studio,andthe clubhouse.I’m impressed Ethan was able to convince Cash to stay at the clubhouse.He knew Skyler wouldn’t approve of Cash bringing women to their house with Lilah living there.“It would send the wrong message.”So, if Cash wanted to get laid, he had to stay here with the rest of them.

Sneaky fucker.

Funny how having their own daughters changes thing.It never stopped any of the guys from doing their shit in front of us growing up.Me, Jayde, Skyler and Jinx all got an education on what it meant to ‘please a biker’ at a young age.Basically, you’re either his ol’ lady or a whore.

Pass on both accounts.

I think Ethan had a different motive for getting Cash and the others to stay here though.A selfish, but valid reason.

“Doesn’t everything look so cute?They did a great job with the decorations.”Avery’s words come out a little slurred.She leans her arm on my shoulder, and I can tell by the way she drops most of her weight on me, she’s toasted.

I take in the decorations and the gender-neutral color scheme.There are mint green, cream, and light brown balloons, with gold accents and streamers all over the clubhouse.The guys even put up a balloon archway leading out into the yard from the sliding door.

Outside, the picnic tables are covered with cream table clothes, and each one has a teddy bear and balloon bouquet as the centerpiece.In the middle of the stage, between the stripper poles is where they set up a chair sitting center stage, for Skyler to open her gifts.It’s fitting if you ask me -on a stage is where she and Ethan rekindled their love for each other.He just didn’t know it was her until later.

“Yeah.They did all right.How many of those Taming of the Shrew drinks have you had, Aves?”Judging by her flushed cheeks, slow speech, and her cheesy grin, I’d say she’s had a few.

“This is my second, third, no, second.”She tries counting on her hands, but the numbers she says and the fingers she’s showing don’t match up.

“I see.So, you’ve lost count, and you’re wasted?”I smile.It’s good to see my best friend letting her hair down and living a little.It wasn’t too long ago she was afraid to eat the wrong foods for fear of gaining weight thanks to her bitch of a grandmother putting that bullshit in her head.Eleanor West still has retribution coming her way for everything she did to this Club and to Avery personally, as soon as I can get a lock on her location.

“Maybe.”Avery smiles.“But they’re so good.You should try one.We can toast to their bay-bay, baby boy.”Her words are stretching longer and longer as she tried to think past her drunken fog.

I lift my beer to my lips and take a swig.“I’m good for now.I have to drive home later.”I move to set her down on a nearby barstool and motion for Blake.“Get her some water, would you?”He nods and pulls one from the mini fridge under the bar, twisting off the lid and handing it to Avery.She takes a drink without question.

Tension fills the room as the doors of the clubhouse open.Vincenzo Parisi and his two most trusted men are here.

“Shit.”I hear Blake murmur from behind the bar.

“What’s wrong?They’re just here for the gender reveal.Skyler insisted they be a part of it since Vincenzo and his men protected her and all.”I offer.

“Yeah, I get it.But, come on Sadie.”Blake sighs.“Every time Parisi comes in here, he stirs up some kind of shit and we all get to deal with the wrath of Pres until it settles back down.”

“Well, the good news is, you’re no longer a prospect, so you don’t have to deal with the worst of it.”I smile, tipping my bottle toward Trevor, the newest prospect.“He on the other hand, will.Poor guy could find himself on shitter duty for weeks if Gabe doesn’t get himself laid or something soon.He needs to let off some steam.Relax a little.”

“Maybe Pres will finally get himself a piece of that blonde he’s been into at the coffee shop.”Blake teases.

I reach over and punch him in the arm, trying not to drop Avery in the process.“Shut up, asshole.”I tip my head toward Trevor who’s glaring at Blake.“You know Linzie is his mom.He doesn’t need you stirring up any more shit between him and Gabe.She’s already pissed at him for letting Trevor prospect when she distinctly said she didn’t want him to.Besides, no one wants to picture their mom letting off steam with their friend, or in this case, President, for shit’s sake.You put that in his head and you’re liable to get the guy killed before he even has a chance to patch in.”

“Did I hear you need to let off some steam, Sapphire?”The sound of Hawk’s voice saying my childhood nickname and the not-so-subtle suggestion causes my skin to break out with goosebumps.

One night couldn’t hurt, right?

No.As good as it sounds, as much as I would love nothing more than to have one taste of the forbidden, it’ll never happen.Hawk will never see me as someone he wants to fuck.

Or keep around for more.Damn him.

Which is what makes the way my body reacts to him even more pathetic.I want nothing more than to get over this crush or whatever the hell it is I’ve had on him for so long.Nothing will ever come of it.He’s all talk.A big fucking flirt, who sees me as nothing more than a burden.One he can tease in one breath and cut down in the next.

I deserve better.

Turning to face him, I can tell he’s already had a few drinks himself.He’s not drunk, but his eyes are heavy lidded.His usual shit-eating grin is still in place, but his, mask has slipped.He’s playing his part, but he can’t hide the pain he’s trying to numb.Not from me.

Hopefully Nate’s death will help take away some of the pain he’s caused.Knowing he can’t come back and do any more damage has to be somewhat consoling, right?

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