Page 40 of Cedar Edge
“You came out of the crypt early today.” Athena turns cold immediately as a male leans against the bar next to her. He doesn’t look at her as he says it, and instead holds up two tattooed fingers to Shelia who nods. From my spot I think I can read ‘death’ splayed across the knuckles.
“And it looks like whatever poor human you cursed by putting your dick in kicked you out.” Athena says with no hesitation.
The man snorts, grabbing the two beers that Sheila slides over to him. “Careful, spitfire. I might start to think you're jealous.”
Athena snorts but I don’t miss the way her body tenses. “In your fucking dreams.”
“Leave her be Ghost.” Sheila calls out before looking at Athena. “If you two can’t behave I’m kicking you out of the bar. For good.”
The man holds the two beers up in surrender. “Sorry Shelia.” He steps back and I get a full look at him finally. His blonde hair is curly and pulled back in a low bun and tattoos cover every part of his body that is exposed. His hazel eyes roam over Athena with a hungry sort of gaze.
When his eyes meet mine he shoots me a wink. “Who’s your friend?”
Athena cackles. “Yeah, you should try to get with her. I’m sure Ace, Logan and Law wouldloveto hear you were hitting on their girlfriend.”
His eyes shoot wide in surprise before he schools his features again. “Sorry love.”
“Uh, it’s okay.” I mutter softly.
“Names Ghost, VP of The Dead Wanderers MC. You ever need anything the club is at your service.” He looks back to Athena and leans closer to her. His voice, a low, devious purr. “And if you ever need anything spitfire, I’m at your service.”
Her cheeks flush crimson as he pulls back and walks away from her. Her body is tense but it's the strange longing lingering in her eyes that has me calling out for Shelia.
“Uh Shelia, I think maybe we need two shots after all.” Sheila, thankfully, is a girl's girl it seems and has no issue sliding two shots of vodka at us.
“You have to tell me who has the best dick.” Athena leans over onto my shoulder with a loud giggle, slurring her words.
“Oh my god shhhh.” I say, equally as drunk sounding. I’m not sure when it happened but somewhere between the 3rd shot and 5th ghost in the graveyard the world started to seem less scary and more funny.
“No no pleaseeee you have to tell me I need to know. Throw a single girl a bone!” She says in a rather loud voice.
Taking a slurp of the last of my drink, I wince as the alcohol hits my throat. I don’t want to admit that Ace and I are no closer to repairing our relationship, or that I’m desperate toknow exactly what his cock looks like. So instead I shrug, “All I’m saying I’ve become a big fan of piercings” Athena cuts me off with a shriek, cackling hysterically and screaming about needing to get fucked by someone with a dick piercing. She slaps her hand on the bar and Shelia cuts us a look that screams we might be two seconds away from getting kicked out. Another shrill sound pierces the air from my friend as the music shifts and she’s dragging me off the bar stool. “OH MY GOD THIS IS MY SONG!”
The alcohol fuels my body and pushes away any embarrassment that I would normally feel at this moment as she starts to grind on me. Our bodies twist and sway to the song, laughter pouring from us. The song switches but Athena keeps me glued to her and sweat starts to drip down my spine as we dance to song after song. Eventually we stumble back to our seats, sweaty messes, and chug the water that someone has left behind for us.
“Sheila! Two more shots!” Athena yells out.
“I don’t think so spitfire.” Ghost comes up next to us, his eyes on fire as he looks over my friend.
“Hey!” I growl, emboldened by the booze. “Don’t you tell her what to do. We are strong women who can do whatever we want! We are survivors!”
Athena echoes my statement, slinging her arm around my shoulders just as a very familiar dark voice joins Ghost. “You are cut off, Cricket.” My mouth goes dry as Ace comes to stand next to Ghost. He looks me over from head to toe and I shiver at the attention. Attention he’s deprived me of since the other day when he stole my stuff.
Narrowing my eyes I let the alcohol choose violence for me. “You don’t own me.” I take Athena’s half full drink from the bar and suck down the liquid with my eyes locked on Ace.
“Oh shit.” Ghost mutters, dragging his hand down his face.
Athena steps away from me, her warmth gone in a flash just as Ace enters my space, pressing my back against the bar as he pulls the drink from my hand. He hovers next to my ear as he does. “You are mine Cricket. And you are in such deep shit.”
Ace
Ghost: Your girl is getting pretty saucy with Athena at Shelia’s.
Me: Fuck. Keep an eye on them for me, I’m on my way.
Ghost had texted me the second he figured out who Thea was. I had subsequently called Logan and chewed him out for letting Thea go off with Athena Gold. Town trouble maker. And general pain in the ass of most of us. He had only laughed and reminded me she needed friends right before he pointed out exactly who followed the town trouble maker around.
“She’s as safe with him watching her as she is with us, Ace.”He had reminded me. He wasn’t wrong that Ghost was lethal, and that he had eyes on Athena 24/7, but I still had no interest in allowing Thea out alone like this.
