Page 58 of Carver
“We can probably just set everything down on the table until we go through it and put it all away.”
It takes a few trips, but soon the truck is empty, and the table is groaning under the weight of all those toys, clothes, and massive boxes. Someone got her a collapsible wagon, and even though we set the box down beside the table and not on top, it’s still a mountain.
“Everyone was too generous,” Bronte sighs, but she’s smiling as she locks up the back door. “I have no idea where we’re going to put it all, but we’ll find room. A few things could go to my parents’ house, so when we’re there, I don’t have to lug it all back and forth with me. When they drop Elowen off tomorrow morning, I can send some with them.”
When Bronte’s parents asked if they could take Ellie overnight, she was pretty reluctant about it, but they just left theidea with her and she agreed, knowing just how much they’ve all missed having her and Ellie at home.
“They’re going to be okay, right? I’m worried that Ellie’s going to be overstimulated after tonight. What if she won’t sleep?”
“The hotel is only fifteen minutes away. I’m sure if anything happens, your parents will call you.”
Bronte glances at the table we just stacked full and instead of wrangling out a chair and causing an avalanche, she hoists herself up on the counter by the sink. “I’m being silly. My parents raised the three of us through sickness, broken, bones, and tons of sleepless nights.”
“You’re a mom. It’s okay to worry.”
“Are you worried?”
“Worried isn’t the right word.” I grab a glass from the cupboard and fill it with water. I down half in a few gulps and pass the rest to Bronte. She drinks the rest just about as fast as I did. She looks at me and does a slow blink, then bursts out laughing. I realize I must look like I’ve just run a marathon. I shake my head in disbelief and say, “I never knew birthday parties could be so hard. I barely had to do anything, and I’m still exhausted.”
“Did you have a good time?” she asks. “It wasn’t too much?”
“I didn’t have an introvert meltdown, so it must have been okay. Even with what happened with the cake.”
“I knew it was a firecracker the second I heard it, but that must have been so unnerving being right next to it.”
“It wasn’t pleasant. For just a minute, I thought Dravin was going to take a swing at one of the twins because he just knew that Kael was going to be devastated that they wrecked her cake.”
“I’m glad that didn’t happen.” Bronte’s face pinches. She runs her finger over the rim of the empty glass before she sets it aside and clutches her hands in her lap. “My sister got Grave’s phone number.”
“What?”
“Yeah.” Her hand shoots out and lands on my arm as I stiffen, offering comfort, but also seeking it. “I made it clear what I thought, but being a protective big sister only goes so far before it crosses the line. I told her to be careful without using those words and said a whole lot of nope, but ultimately, it’s up to her.”
“I could ask Dravin to tell Tyrant to have a chat with him and warn him off.”
She hesitates, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Her hand tightens on my arm. “I don’t know if we should do that. Ginny would be mad if she found out. I have to say, it would be hypocritical of me to tell her that she can’t date someone from the club when we’re sort of a part of it.”
“It’s not the same. He’s a full patched in member. And an asshole who blows up a one-year-old’s birthday cake.”
“I know he’s immature. He clearly earned the reputation he has with his brother. I’m not even sure what they do at the club, and he’s clearly an obnoxious overgrown child in love with his bike, truck, and himself.”
“So why can’t I tell Dravin to put a stop to this before it starts?”
“Because.” She exhales in a hard puff of air. “People change. Even if they don’t, Ginny is an adult. She has my parents and my brother to protect her as well as me. We’ve all got her back. I don’t think anyone from the club would ever intentionally hurt a woman. Isn’t that against the rules?”
“Did Kael tell you that?”
“Yeah. That they don’t have many hard and fast rules, but the no hard drugs and the treat all women like goddesses are a few they adhere to.”
“You can treat a woman well and still be a prick.” She winces, which makes me wince. “Okay. I get why you really can’t say anything.”
“No.” She strokes her hand down my arm soothingly. “This has nothing to do with you. My family stood by me. They trusted that I knew my own mind. We all just want to protect Ginny because she’s the baby of the family, but I can see how that would get so tiring for her.”
“But Grave?”
“Maybe she’ll lose the number, intentionally or unintentionally.”
“Did she memorize it?”
