Page 24 of Jigsaw
I heard Dean say from behind me, “Seriously? She gets to pet him, and I have to chase his crazy ass all over the damn place and end up getting nipped for my trouble.” He placed my drink on the table as I sat up. Dean gave me a kiss and quietly asked, “Are you okay here for a bit?”
Glancing around the table, I saw nothing but smiles, so I responded, “I’m fine. I’ve got my girls.”
He gave me a wink and another kiss on the cheek before he stood and looked at the ladies. “No running Willow off.”
“Pfft,” Jackie said, “she’s fine.”
He walked away, and I wasn’t sure if this was going to turn into an inquisition or not, but I was ready for whatever they threw at me.
“So, when’s the wedding?” Paige asked, and I shrugged. “If I know Jigsaw, he’ll have you hitched and wearing his cut before the end of the Rally.”
“We haven’t discussed that yet,” I remarked, realizing these women were going to be a part of my life.
They started speaking about people and things I didn’t know anything about, and I got into my own head. The longer I sat there, the more I realized how little I knew about the man I agreed to marry.
Where did he live?
Had he been married before?
Did he have children? Does he want any?
What were his long-term goals in life?
“Willow?” I heard someone say my name, and I lifted my gaze to see everyone at the table was looking at me. Cheyenne asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just tired, I guess,” I responded, knowing that was partly true.
The rest was worry about a future I was leaping into feet first without knowing how it would go. But wasn’t that the same thing that happened in every new relationship? You met someone, got to know them, and began to share the parts of yourself you try to keep hidden.
With Dean and me, we started out spilling our secrets, so I found myself thinking, if we already knew the worst parts of each other and still wanted to be together, then didn’t that mean the rough patches were past us already?
And if the ladies sitting around me didn’t think it was crazy that he and I were getting married after less than a day of being reacquainted, then who was I to question it?
I relaxed into my chair, taking a swallow of the drink Dean brought me as I watched multiple clubs enjoying each other’s company, laughing and drinking together. If this was possible, then maybe anything was.
Chapter 12
Willow
Dean was standing across the parking lot from our table of ladies, speaking to Ghost and a few Phantom Renegades. I saw a couple Death Hounds standing off to the side and some club patches I didn’t recognize. Everyone was having a good time as the music filtered through the party and the smell of weed hung heavy in the air.
My drink was almost empty, so I looked to see if anyone else was in need of a drink. Charlie noticed I was almost out and held up her hand. A moment later, someone appeared at her side. “Yes, Ms. Charlie?”
“We need another round, and can you ask Animal to swing by for a minute?” she requested, and the man stood and started taking notice of what everyone was drinking. As he walked away, I gave her a curious look before she explained, “Prospects’ jobs during the Rally vary, but there’s one assigned to the club’s ol’ ladies to make sure the drinks are safe and we have what we need without having to go look for it.”
I was impressed when Cheyenne added, “One thing you’ll quickly learn about the Sinners Revenge is that their ol’ ladies are an esteemed part of the club. They make sure we’re always protected and kept outside the club’s business.”
“But the guys are gossips, and we learn to keep their secrets,” Paige continued, and she seemed like there was something else she wanted to say but didn’t.
I wasn’t going to push for information that wasn’t mine to have, and in time, I was sure I would hold secrets for Dean likethey did for their ol’ men. I’d heard from my mother about how she was Popeye’s ‘soft place to land’, but until that very moment, I hadn’t fully understood what she meant. Now, I thought I understood—she was his place to be vulnerable, where he could let his guard down.
Looking off to the side, I tried to discreetly wipe the corners of my eyes as the realization of my father’s love for me became clearer, and I felt a hand on my shoulder. Glancing over, I saw Paige looking worriedly at me. I tried to force a smile, but she quickly asked, “What’s wrong, Willow?”
Shaking my head, I responded, “Nothing. I just got something in my eye.”
She didn’t seem convinced, and she looked across the parking lot. I was afraid she was about to get Dean, but he must have seen something that brought him to our table. He knelt beside me, and Paige moved away to give us some space as he wiped my cheeks and asked, “What’s going on, beautiful?”
“Nothing,” I returned, adding, “It’s silly.”
