Chapter 27 Solana #2
Zoe takes a step forward, closing in on Shay like she’d done to me moments ago. “We’re Solana’s friends. Everything good here? Because it seemed like you were giving her a hard time.”
I don’t know much about Zoe except that Silver’s mentioned she was a former FBI agent and is currently the club’s armorer and weapon’s specialist.
But it’s obvious by how she carries herself, looming over Shay with an authoritative and no-nonsense vibe, she’s not one to be fucked with.
Shay seems to realize this too because she doesn’t answer her question. Instead she scoffs as if trying to save face, then mutters, “Whatever.”
Turning on her heel, she stalks off, disappearing between a gaggle of other students.
We let her go, a couple seconds passing before we turn to each other.
“What are you guys doing here?” I ask, visibly relieved. “Not that I’m not super grateful to see you!”
Korine casts me a small, warm smile. “Silver was preoccupied, so he asked us to pick you up from class.”
Zoe jerks her head toward the parking lot. “C’mon. I’m not parked far.”
I eagerly follow them to Zoe’s Jeep—a rugged, mud-splattered thing that looks like it’s seen some adventures. Which tracks considering she and Ozzie spend a lot of time together.
We pile in and within seconds, Zoe’s pulling out of the lot. We’re on the road back to Pulsboro in no time, Wheaton University and the rest of town sinking into the background.
The chilly afternoon wind brushes against my skin and butterfly locs as we drive, and I find myself relaxing for the first time all day.
I’m finally around people who aren’t about to gossip or stare at me like I’m some sideshow circus freak.
Zoe glances at me in the rearview mirror. “So what was that chick’s problem?”
I sigh, slumping back in my seat. “She was a friend.”
“She didn’t seem so friendly,” Korine replies from the front passenger seat.
“Because she hates my guts now. For reasons. Stuff I can’t exactly go into.”
Zoe’s eyes meet mine in the mirror again, her expression knowing. “Be careful around girls like that. They’re not to be trusted.”
“Believe me,” I mutter. “I’ve learned that the hard way.”
We ride in silence for another moment before I turn to Korine. “Hey, I’m sorry about what happened at the barbecue. For ruining Cash’s proposal.”
Korine waves her hand dismissively. “It’s cool. Can’t say we’ll ever forget getting engaged in the middle of that slap Silver’s ex-wife gave him, but... it does make for a good story.”
I let out a crude laugh. “You mean my former boss? Yeah, she wasn’t too pleased.”
“Clearly.”
“But seriously—are things okay?” Korine twists in her seat to look at me more fully. “Are you and Silver good?”
I nod, a warmth flushing my cheeks. “We’ve never been better. Even if everybody else is angry.”
Zoe shrugs, her hands relaxed on the wheel. “I’m not one to judge. According to everybody, Ozzie and I shouldn’t be together either.”
I frown. “Why not?”
A half-smirk works itself onto Zoe’s lips. “We’re both a little batshit crazy.”
My eyes widen, and she laughs as if she’s told a joke and I’ve fallen for it.
“We’re both bipolar,” she explains. “And Ozzie’s had some struggles with addiction. But we’re both in therapy and on our meds, and things are going good for us. Real good.”
Korine jumps in. “Cash and I aren’t exactly conventional either. I was technically still married when we started messing around.”
“That doesn’t count. You were separated and your piece of shit ex-husband was an abusive coward,” Zoe counters plainly. “He’s lucky I wasn’t around at the time. I’d love to kick his ass myself.”
Korine laughs. “He gets a lot of that behind bars. He’s serving five long years.”
I’m at total ease listening to the two ladies converse. More than that, I realize I’m finally fitting in somewhere.
These women aren’t judging me. They’re not looking at me like I’m damaged or dirty or wrong. It’s the opposite as they share their own stories full of mistakes and imperfections.
I knew the ladies in the MC were close friends, but I never imagined they’d want to spend time with me too. That I could maybe be included in that way…
“Where are we going?” I ask hesitantly.
Korine grins. “The Steel Saloon.”
Zoe catches my eye in the mirror and winks. “We’re going to buy you a drink. Your first legal drink. Happy birthday, Lana.”
I blink, caught off guard.
They know. Silver must’ve told them.
He’s asked me several times what I wanted to do to celebrate my twenty-first birthday, but I kept insisting it was no big deal. Birthdays have never been a big thing in my family; Uncle Eddie and Moses usually forgot, and I’d learned not to expect much.
Plus, in light of the chaos around us lately, it didn’t seem like the time to celebrate.
We pull up to the Steel Saloon and I see a few familiar bikes and vehicles parked outside, Silver’s truck among them.
Is it possible he’s put together a small birthday gathering for me?
My heart flutters as I climb out of the Jeep and follow Korine and Zoe inside. Maybe I’ve finally found a place to belong after all.
As Silver’s old lady in the club.