Page 32 of Property of Woods

“I’m sorry.I lost my little brother, too.”

“What happened to him?”

“Got into my mom and her boyfriend’s drugs.”

“How old was he?”

“Seven.”

“That’s awful.”

“It was a long time ago.”

“Woods was with Billy when it happened.Really fucked him up for a while.Were you there when it happened to your brother?”

“No.I was at school.”

“Good.”

“Let’s talk about something else.Tell me the story with you and Gray.He’s looked over here about ten times.”

“There’s nothing to tell.Didn’t you say you were hungry?”

I give her the out because I understand not wanting to discuss your love life.

God knows mine is blown to bits.

Chapter Ten

Fuckme.Ipullmy ball cap off and bend the worn bill between my hands.I had to walk away from Jessika before I fucked her in the middle of the bar.She pushes my buttons in all the right ways.

I stare across the property to where the house I share with Faye sits.Guilt claws at my chest because the last thing I want to do is face her.She’s right.This shit with us isn’t working.I should have cut her loose before I went to the rally.Before I met Jessika.I’ve got to get my head on straight before I see my wife.

I return to the party.The one celebrating my brother’s release from prison.When Gray called me to come to the kitchen, the last thing I expected was to see Dirty’s shit-eating grin waiting for me.He had at least two more years on his sentence, but it’s good to have him back.I spot him getting some new ink on his left shoulder courtesy of Dover’s girlfriend, Dottie.The women are lining up to be the first to fuck him on his first night home.

He’s going to be a two-pump chump with that first taste of pussy he gets.

I grab a beer and find Jessika and my sister sitting with Foolish.Gray better watch out.He may have some competition for my sister’s heart.Not that she’d ever give the prospect the time of day.

As though she can sense I me staring at her, Jessika’s gaze finds mine.Electricity crackles between us, and I know she’s going to be the death of me if Faye doesn’t kill me first.

“You good?”Shaggy clinks his bottle of Bud against mine.

“Perfect.”

“Everyone’s happy to see Dirty.His release must have been the best kept secret.”

I know what he’s getting at.He thinks I knew and didn’t share with the club.My brother can be your best friend or your worst enemy.

“Was as shocked as the rest of you to see him walking free.”

“How’d he get out?”

“Good behavior, and Fletcher put in a word for him.He’s on probation for the remainder of his sentence.”

“Shit.What’s the chances of him keepin’ his ass in line?”

“Zero.”

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