Page 8 of Unveiled Wishes

“Hey, Prez?” How raised his hand and waited to speak.

I was curious what How was going to say. He hadn’t mentioned to me he was bringing anything up at church.

“Yeah, How?” Sabre said.

“My sister, Emily, asked if she could come visit for Christmas. I haven’t seen her in a few years, and I wanted to ask if it was alright before she booked her ticket.”

I sucked in a breath and tried not to draw attention to myself as I choked. We were supposed to be best friends, and the fucker hadn’t mentioned that Em wanted to visit. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to hold my shit in until I reached my room. On the outside, I tried to look cool, but my heart pumped in my ears and my hands shook underneath the table.

“I don’t have a problem with it, if no one objects,” Sabre said, as he shifted forward in his chair. “If you want her to stay here, tell Grace. She’ll have to make sure the room next to Aunt E is ready, since they are the furthest from the club girls.” Sabre cracked his knuckles and placed his hands over his stomach.

“Has Aunt E complained yet about the noise?” Pretty asked, trying to hide his smirk.

“I asked her if she wanted to move in with us, but she said no.” Sabre shook his head. “Said that she likes the noise after so many years of living alone, but even she has to hear bumps in the middle of the night.”

The room exploded with laughter. No one had really known what to expect when Aunt E had moved into the clubhouse. Over the last couple of months, she’d wormed her way into our hearts.

“Cyph, do you need her info for a background check?” How asked.

“Nope. She was admitted to the New York Bar Association. They’ve already done the basics, so I won’t find anything that will rule her out from coming. Now, if you need me to dig, all non-club information comes with a price.” Cyph wiggled his eyebrows.

“More like extortion,” Grizz mumbled.

“I need Christmas present money.” Cyph placed his hands behind his head and smirked.

“Anyone else thinking of inviting someone for Christmas? I know Gerry will be here.” Sabre shifted forward again, crossing his arms and resting his elbows on the table in front of him.

“Do we have to be nice to him?” Twig asked. I didn’t blame him. When Gerry had been a prisoner here, he’d given Twig the run around a few times. He was hungry. He was cold. Twig should arrange a meeting so that he could see his grandson. It had been one thing after another, and Twig had celebrated when Sabre told Gerry it was time to go. He could stay in town or go home, but he couldn’t stay in the clubhouse anymore. None of us were sure if Flo knew, but we didn’t ask questions. She was Sabre’s problem.

“I don’t care, as long as Grace doesn’t hear you.” Sabre looked at Grizz. “What do you think?”

“Agreed. I don’t care either.” Grizz flexed his fist as it sat on the table.

“We know the cartel is still out there. They’re watching us, and we’ve caught the SUVs a few times. As long as they don’t rear their ugly heads, let’s try to enjoy Christmas. We’ve had a roughyear, but we love harder to get through it. Now is the time to remember why we prospected for the Iron Shield.”

Various forms of “Yes, Prez” floated around the room, but I just wanted out. I had other important things to deal with, like Emily coming for Christmas. I waited until the fuckers in front of me walked out of church, breakfast smells leading them by their stomachs to the main room. Crossing the door’s threshold, I took off running towards my room.

“Where are you going, Zook?” How called after me. He’d been two brothers behind me because our seats were on opposite sides of the table.

“Not hungry,” I yelled over my shoulder. Breakfast was the furthest thing from my mind, and I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to choke it down. The quicker I made it to my room, the better off I would be. I skidded as I took the last right, my arms ready to brace my fall, but I righted myself at the last minute. I wanted to keep my secrets at all costs.

I didn’t slam my door, but I made sure the lock was in place. Taking off my boots, I opened my closet and stood in front of it, staring at the shoebox on the top shelf. It had been awhile since Emily’s letter had called to me this strongly. Grabbing it, I laid the box on the bed and fluffed the pillows to get comfortable as I sat. I looked at the door again, checking the lock. I didn’t want any interruptions.

I opened the shoebox and pulled the first letter out. Raising it to my nose, I still could smell the hints of her perfume on the stationery.

Sometimes, Eric complains when he gets teased over my letters, so I spritz them just to be irritating. What are little sisters for? You asked for this, so I didn’t want to disappoint.

She hadn’t said much during the first couple of letters, but every time I had written back, she had opened up a little more.Emily had been in college during those years, and I had enjoyed listening to her detail her classes, her friends, and even the charity events her parents had forced her to attend. Each letter was another piece of her soul, and I had wanted to claim all of them for myself.

I flipped through the letters until I reached the one I wanted. I’d read it so many times that I didn’t have to remove the pink sheets from the envelope. Flipping it over and over in my hands, I went over the words in my mind.

Dear Tyler,

Happy Valentine’s Day! I sent you something, and I know you’ll laugh when you get it. I can’t wait, even though I won’t be able to see your reaction.

School’s good. Classes are boring, and I am ready for a break. The groundhog saw its shadow, so there will be six more weeks of winter. How are you supposed to enjoy spring break when there will still be snow on the ground? I don’t know either, but I know if you were here, you’d tell me to suck it up, buttercup. I prefer to think you’d whisk me away on some warm, tropical vacation. Hint Hint. Ha. I am going to hold you to a promise you never made.

My parents are gone again. They were here for Christmas, but then they decided New York was too cold and took off. See a theme here? I haven’t heard from them, but as long as they’re alright, that’s all I can ask for.

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