Page 80 of Moms of Mayhem
She leaned in like she was about to tell me a secret, then just winked. “Moms of Mayhem never tell.”
Luke shook his head, laughing as he slung an arm around her shoulders. “I learned a long time ago not to ask too many questions.”
“Smart man.” I glanced back at the dance floor just in time to catch Emmy mid-spin, cheeks flushed, her smile bright and wild.
Shannon stood like a dark cloud on the side of the stage, talking to someone there. All black everything—ripped jeans, boots, a sleeveless top that showed off a tattoo sleeve of roses. Her dark hair hung long and straight, makeup sharp enough to cut. She looked like she’d been dropped in from an entirely different universe, and yet people kept greeting her like she was a regular.
I hated that I knew why.
Once upon a time, Ray and my dad closed this place down more nights than not. Best friends till the end, until the end came too early. It was easy to imagine her sitting outside in a running car, hoping the door would swing open soon.
The song faded out in a swell of whoops and clapping, and a second later, Ty and Emmy were weaving their way through the crowd toward our table. Her cheeks were pink from dancing, curls a little wild now, that green dress hugging every damn curve.
Emmy’s gaze found mine instantly, and the smile she gave me went straight to my chest.
“Well, that was fun.” She brushed a curl out of her face as she reached the table. “I forgot how much of a menace Ty is on the dance floor.”
Ty elbowed his sister, then grabbed his beer off the table. “Me? You’re the one who barreled into poor Betty Steinberg. Almost broke her brand-new knee.”
Before I could jump in, Shannon appeared behind them carrying a whiskey for Emmy and a Diet Coke in her other hand.
“Here.” She passed off the drinks with the practiced efficiency of someone who’d done this too many times.
Emmy took her drink with a grateful smile, chewing on the tiny plastic straw. “You’re the best.”
The three women clustered together, dancing along to the beat as Ty and Luke stood on either side of me. It was too loud to hear their conversation, but something Stevie said made Emmy cackle, her hand gripping her side to hold her upright.
I couldn’t help but smile, watching her be so happy.
“Uh oh.” Luke reached a hand across to clink beer bottles with Ty. “I’ve seen that look before. That’s your sister, right?”
Ty grunted, and I grinned harder. “I always wanted a brother.”
“Youhaveone.”
Luke laughed, a low, knowing sound, then turned his attention back to where Stevie swayed to the beat, her arms in the air like she didn’t care who was watching. She said something over her shoulder to Emmy, who doubled overlaughing again, and Luke’s whole expression softened while he stared at his wife.
Not just admiration—devotion. There was a gravitational pull between them, like the two of them existed in a private orbit no one else could touch.
I felt it like a tug somewhere deep in my chest.
I’d seen couples like that before—on the surface, anyway. But this was different.
This wasn’t just attraction or routine or staying together because it was easier than leaving.
This waswant.
Even in the chaos and noise of a young family, Luke was attuned to her, like if Stevie so much as twitched, he’d be there to catch her.
I’d never had that.
Never even come close.
Now, watching Emmy light up like the world couldn’t touch her, I found myself wanting it. Craving it. Not just the fun or the thrill of chasing someone new, but the pull. That deeper thing. The kind of connection that stayed with you through the storm life threw at you.
And it wasn’t just that I wanted it. I wanted itwith her.
The girls moved on and off the dance floor like a swarm of bees, moving together in every step. Sometimes they dragged Ty and Luke with them, and others they danced just the three of them.
