Page 158 of Angels and Skulls
My hands roam over the handlebars and then the seat.
“Dan and I will check it out and make sure it’s running good, and then I’ll bring it over before Christmas Eve. Sound like a plan?”
I hop off the trailer and hug him. “Thank you so much!”
He pats my back and then opens my door for me.
“What did you get Mom?” I ask him, curious as to what he’s gifting her.
“Well, you’re not the only one who’s hiding their gift at Dan’s.”
My eyebrows rise. “Did you buy her a car?”
He laughs. “No, ma’am. I do all the driving in the relationship.”
I roll my eyes because he’s obviously not going to tell me. “Well, I made her a quilt.”
“Now that’s something she’ll definitely love,” he says.
“There are so many people in the club. It was hard to decide what to get everyone, so they’re all getting baked goods. Well, almost everyone.”
“Can’t go wrong there,” he tells me.
When we get home, Raffe is not in a good mood. “You shut your location off,” he accuses with a bite to his tone.
“I told you I was going Christmas shopping with Ray,” I say, ignoring him. I knew he’d be grumpy about it, but I didn’t want him to know I went back to the town where we met.
Ray grabs him by the back of the neck and steers him away from me. They have a private conversation in the corner of the room. Ray doesn’t let anyone talk shit to me, even Raffe.
Dan jabs me in the side. “Hey, Sis. Are you getting your boyfriend in trouble again?”
I pat his cheek. “Do you want to be next?”
He rolls his eyes. “No.”
“Then go home, get my bestie, and my little bestie,” I tick them off with my fingers, “and bring them back here. I miss them.”
He laughs and pokes me in the chest. “No.”
“Why not?”
Dan looks around the room. We have the furniture all moved to one side. “It’s too dangerous. Maybe after we get the tree up.”
I smile up at him. Dan is the best. His personality reminds me of Bill. “Deal.” I hold out my hand.
“But you also have to tell Dad you’re the one who ate his last piece of pie.”
My mouth falls open. “Mom let you eat her husband’s last piece of pie? You’re so spoiled.”
Dan rubs his belly. “I can’t help that I’m the favorite.”
Raffe walks over with his head hanging low. He grabs me around the waist and pulls me close. “I’m sorry for jumping on you like that,” he says. “Ray explained you were just getting my Christmas gift. He told me I should think before I speak.”
Dan rolls his eyes, walking away from us to help hold the doors open. The boys are bringing in the tree.
Raffe continues to push his nose in my neck. “Let’s go upstairs. I’ll make it up to you,” he says.
I laugh. “Nice try, but you’re not getting out of this.” I push him away, clapping my hands. “It’s so big!”
