Page 92 of A Wrench in the Plan
“I found some new recipes,” Ingram said as she made her way back into the kitchen. “I’m going to be trying them out so you’ll have to let me know what you think. Tonight, I made coconut basil chicken curry.”
Dinner was wonderful as always. Row and Sidekick headed out right after dessert. Feeling that Chry’s parents needed some time with him, I headed into the kitchen to help Chris and Ky clean up.
“Wrench been working on his bike?” Ky asked.
I checked over my shoulder to make sure Chry wasn’t within hearing range. It was still a sore subject and I wished there was more I could do, but I knew next to nothing when it came to that shit.
I met Ky’s eyes and sadly shook my head.
His lips twisted in a way that told of his disappointment.
Ky had taught Chry everything he knew about fixing up cars. Brand taught him how to work on bikes. He was well-rounded and I knew he could do it if he wanted to. I sensed it broke his heart to see his baby all broken and fucked up. On top of that, I figured it reminded him of that night, when all he wanted to do was forget and move on.
“Has he talked about it?” Ky asked.
“A little,” I answered honestly. He’d talked about his guilt over not being able to protect Cat, but he hadn’t talked about how he felt dealing with what happened to him. Killing Dustin might have helped him find a little peace. After that, he’d released a lot of pent-up shit in that scream, but I worried that hadn’t been enough.
Ky grunted unhappily while Chris sent a sad frown my way.
I didn’t like talking about Chry behind his back like this. I told myself that this was his family. They cared and they were desperate to make sure he was okay.
“He’s working through it in his own way,” I said. “You know him, he doesn’t talk about feelings that much. He lives in the moment, so maybe not talking about it is his way of getting over it. He…” I paused and cleared my throat. I didn’t want to say too much, but it looked like I was going to have to say something to put them at ease. “He talked to Cat and me about the guilt over not being able to spare her from what she went through. I think she helped him to realize that there is nothing to feel guilty over. She… um.”
“She loves him,” Ky said with a brow cocked high. “She’d never hate him or blame him.”
The way he said that sent a shiver down my spine. Ky was hard and grumpy, but he wasn’t an asshole. If he was putting that in my face, then I could only assume that he had an idea about what was going on.
“The club talks,” he said, likely guessing my thoughts from the expression on my face. “Nothing but a bunch of gossips up in there. Things don’t stay secret for long, especially when you do it right there at the compound with thin walls and a lot of people constantly around.”
My eyes went as wide as saucers at the same time my whole face heated.
I didn’t give two shits if people heard me and Chry going at it, but Cat would be mortified to know that the club knew what she sounded like when she came.
“Does Mouse know?” I panicked. “Does B-ry?”
Instead of answering me, he shrugged.
Fuck.
I could only guess that B-ry hadn’t heard anything yet because I had a good feeling he would have gone a bit crazy and blown up.
I had to tell Cat. She needed to talk to her parents before they heard it from someone else.
“He ain’t cheating on you, right?” Ky asked as if the idea had just occurred to him. Which had me snorting because his first thought had been the truth, that the three of us were involved. It also told me that we had his support. That made me feel a hell of a lot better.
“No,” I said smiling. How did I put this without saying it? “We all are… aware of what’s going on.”
“Good. I don’t want to have to beat my nephew’s ass for doing something that dumb.”
I laughed, and so did Chris.
Ky’s hand slapped down on my shoulder, then he told me, “You’re good, kid. We all like you. You’re hard-working and honest. You’re good for him, and I know you love Cat in your own way. Not saying it is what it is. Not saying I know anything. But I just want you to know that it makes a lot of sense to me. And I’m sure I’m not the only one.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, feeling a little put on the spot and embarrassed, but also warm and like I was a part of something great. Like I was accepted. Wanted.
“I think he gets it, Ky. Let’s finish the dishes,” Chris said, smiling at me as he shook his head.
“I’m tryin’ here,” Ky said.
