Page 12 of Rattler
Her sister shook her head.“Nope, definitely the carrot cake ones.The raisins make them nutritious, right?”
I found myself laughing as the group discussed the pros and cons of each flavor.
Finally, Janet held up her hand.“I think we can all agree that we’re going to need some of everything, right?”
The women all nodded enthusiastically.
I sat on the edge of a bench and nibbled on a carrot cupcake, watching the women laugh and joke with each other as they devoured the food.They were all so warm and welcoming.I’d spent so long being alert and afraid, I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to just relax and enjoy myself.
I glanced over at Rattler and found him staring back at me.It felt good to know he was here and watching over me.A slight smile lifted the side of his lips as he acknowledged me with a slight dip of his head.
Licking stray bits of icing off their fingers, the twins came to sit down on either side of me.“It’s going to be okay.”Despite their young age they seemed to understand how I felt.I struggled to remember which one was which.I think it was Jasmine who covered my hand with hers.
I nodded and tried to look confident.“I know.I just need a bit of time to really believe it.”
Jewel nodded sympathetically.“We can teach you to shoot if you want.That way you can protect yourself from whoever did that to you.It helps to feel like you have some control.”
I shook my head.“I’m actually a fairly good shot.My dad was a cop, and he used to take me to the gun range with him when he was practicing.If no one else was there, he’d let me practice too.”
“Awesome!”Jasmine’s face lit up.“We can all practice together!”
I frowned.“They let you two onto a gun range?I thought there were age limits on most of them.You’re not eighteen yet, are you?”
“No, but we’re allowed at the local one as long as our dad is with us.Riptide makes its own rules for the range here, so we can use it without him.Our dad wanted us to be safe, so he taught us how to shoot, and how to handle firearms safely.”Jewel gestured to the back of the property.“The guys like to practice a lot and this way they don’t have to worry about schedules or what kinds of ammo they can use.”
That made sense.I knew these guys were all ex-military and they probably didn’t want anyone to limit their practice.As for the girls learning how to protect themselves?My dad had done the same thing, so I got it.
“You said your dad was a cop.As in past tense?”Jewel made it a question.
“He died a few years back.Cancer.”The thought was still a raw one.
“I’m sorry.”Jewel looked stricken.
Jasmine glared at her sister.“Now you’ve made her sad again.”
I tried to smile.“It’s okay.She didn’t know.”
“Mind if I break in here?”Rattler stepped over and handed me another beer.I’d been so intent on the twins, I hadn’t seen him approach.Amazing how such a big man could move so quietly.
“You didn’t bring me a beer.”Jasmine batted her lashes at him, and I felt an unexpected flash of jealousy.
“I like my head attached to my shoulders, and your dad is right over there.”Rattler gestured at the group of men with a jut of his chin.“You know he doesn’t approve of you drinking.”
“Spoilsport.”Jasmine quickly dropped the attempt at flirting.Linking her arm through her sister’s, she stuck her tongue out at Rattler.
Jewel’s gaze moved from Rattler to me.She whispered something to her sister, who gave me a thoughtful look before they both started giggling.
“Let’s go see if we can get Mom to let us have another cupcake.”Still giggling, they headed back to the picnic table.
I slanted a look up at Rattler.“I don’t get it.What’s so funny?”
He just rolled his eyes.“Teenagers!”
* * *
Rattler
What could I say?They were teenage girls with raging hormones and overactive imaginations.They obviously thought we were an item and fuck knows what else.Problem was, Lily wasn’t all that much older than them.I’d always looked on the twins as kids.Children.Youngsters.But when I looked at Lily, I saw a full-grown woman – one I wanted in the worst way possible.
