Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Merchant’s Inn, Freedom
R obyn
“Surprise!” A loud chorus of voices cry from the closest booth, as I stroll into Merchant’s Inn.
I lose my footing on the sticky floor.
D’Angelo catches my elbow to steady me, before I can fall flat on my face.
“Wow, good acting,” Shay whispers into my ear.
Except, I’m not acting.
Normally, Neve does her gestures on a small-scale. The way that she showed she wanted to hang out with me at high school was by casually sitting next to me at lunch.
I still knew that we were best friends.
Neve didn’t make me a friendship bracelet, despite me designing her an emerald and silver one. Except, she’s still never taken it off.
I was expecting this birthday to be laid back with too much beer, possibly ending with dancing on tables (likely D’Angelo), and not… this .
It’s mid-week. It should be quieter in the bar, but instead, it’s heaving with people.
Merchant’s Inn is a rare safe space in Freedom with the added bonus of cheap alcohol, loud rock, and a couple of rooms for travelers.
The locals love this old, grungy slice of town with its dance floor and stained wooden walls that are covered with paintings of Emo bands like a shrine.
Freedom is a town with two sides: the wealthy, including the tourists, and those who are struggling but working hard. Merchant’s Inn is at the heart of the working side of town.
Neve owns Merchant’s Inn.
She’s a success, despite being thrown out by her parents for simply being herself.
For being bisexual.
I love that someone who was once the outcast is now the heart of the town.
Neve is fucking tough. Everybody needs a friend who they can rely on to cut off someone’s dick for them.
She offers that a lot. Actually, frequently about D’Angelo’s dick .
But tonight, Neve has turned Merchant’s Inn into a Goth party room for my birthday.
A black and silver banner swings over the bar: HAPPY FUCKING BIRTHDAY, ROBYN HOOD!
The entire room has been decorated with luminous LED balloons that glow in the dark. They look like floating ghosts. Curtains of lights fall from the walls.
Black and white balloons arch over the booth, which is covered in silver glitter.
My nose scrunches up at the scent of smoke and stale beer. “This is…”
“Like the Crow’s birthday,” Shay says, excitedly. “Cool.”
“I’ll pretend that I understand what I’m certain is a horror movie reference.” D’Angelo grimaces. “Also, that the word I was searching for was cool .”
I nudge D’Angelo with my elbow. “Play nice.”
“I’m always nice.”
“Huh, you’re a much better liar than I am.”
He smirks.
D’Angelo is dressed in one of my favorite suits, which matches the piercing blue of his eyes. He looks as stunning as Shay does in his smoky eye makeup and leather jacket.
They look even more stunning stalking into this bar on either side of me like this.
My heart warms at the effort that they’ve gone to for my special evening, as well as my family and friends have.
I wish that Eden was here but I understand why he isn’t.
I ducked into his room, before I left.
Eden was lying on the top bunk bed, reading. Yet he looked like he wasn’t taking in a word of the book. His brow was furrowed, as if he was distracted.
I leaned up, resting my elbows on the side of the bunk bed.
When Eden turned his head toward me, I kissed him. Then I made sure that he understood I was fine with him staying home.
He look far more comfortable afterwards, curling around his book for the evening.
He’d have hated this noisy, packed Merchant’s Inn.
On the other hand, I love it.
Fall Out Boy’s “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)”, is pulsing over the dance floor.
Dancers are leaping up and down to it like it’s a mosh pit.
Shay is thrumming with excitement desperate to join them. I can imagine him going to gigs every Friday like he did back in England.
He truly would have made an awesome rockstar. Well, if he learned more than air guitar.
“I hope that they don’t know the dirty things we do in the dark, love.” Shay curls his tongue, suggestively.
My cheeks flush, remembering the dirty but delicious thing that tongue was doing only an hour ago.
D’Angelo lightly swats Shay’s hip. “Secret, remember? We’re in public, but you’re eyefucking Robyn so hard that she should be coming.”
I laugh, glancing at the leather booth.
Neve sprawls on one side of the booth with her converse trainers resting on the table.
She’s my age with chestnut eyes and spiky midnight hair. She wears large, horn-rimmed glasses. Her rich brown skin glows bronze on her cheeks.
Neve is dressed in skinny jeans with a studded belt. Also, a black t-shirt with the words PATRON SAINT OF EMOS written across it in red like blood splatters.
She points her beer bottle at me. “You’re late, RH.”
RH is her nickname for me, Robyn Hood.
“Late to my own surprise party…?” I reply.
“You’d manage it.”
When I give Neve the finger, she gives it back.
Cody is standing next to Neve’s shoulder, watching the door with an eager look like he’s been at it for hours, which makes guilt shoot through me.
He’s been waiting for me. It’s just like Cody to want this night to go perfectly.
He’s a good brother.
Of course, it’s not my fault that we’re late.
“Ehm,” Shay nervously raises his hand, “sorry, blame me. I was overexcited about tonight. I didn’t pay attention, lost my balance, and fell down the last two rungs of the roof ladder.”
I wince at the memory of the crunch, when Shay landed . For a moment, I was terrified that he’d broken his ankle. Then all of us would have been fucked.
“He’s like a puppy,” D’Angelo says, dryly. “I really should Shay proof the house.”
Shay attempts to glare at D’Angelo, but his eyes are twinkling with amusement.
What’s the bet that they’re both imagining Shay as his Sir’s pup ?
Cody waves Shay’s apology away. “You’re here now. Are you hurt? Do you need Mike to check out your ankle?”
Michael arches his brow. “I’m not only good at being Doctor Kink, after all.”
I blush.
Hell, I wish that Michael had never heard me call him that.
D’Angelo’s lips twitch. “Impressive range of qualifications you have.”
Michael looks tired, but his tan suit is immaculate. He pushes himself further into the booth, gesturing for Shay to join him.
Shay should have allowed us to take him to the hospital to be checked out but he’d stubbornly insisted that his ankle was fine .
He hides his pain almost as well as his twin does.
I can see that he has a slight limp, however, as he walks to the booth.
Is he going to be okay?
D’Angelo’s expression tightens.
Michael gets Shay perched next to him with his leg up on the leather seat. Then he efficiently takes off Shay’s boot and sock and starts to assess his ankle.
My brow creases with concern.
Cody dives toward me, wrapping his arms around me.
“Happy birthday, sis.” Cody’s hair is soft against my neck.
I raise my arms and hug him back.
It hits me then.
I never thought that I’d have a night like this.
For years, Wilder isolated me.
I didn’t realize that he was doing it. He was smart and subtle about it, alienating me from Dad and Cody.
My family were against the marriage, which meant that it was easy for Wilder to say that he didn’t want to see my family. I hate that I spent years estranged from my brother.
Being married to a narcissistic abuser, who controlled me more than I understood at the time, made me lonely.
Plus, my brother must have needed me.
I fucking needed him.
That I can wrap my arms around my younger brother now feels like the best gift in the world.
Birthdays have filled me with sadness because I’ve been alone or surrounded by my husband’s friends.
They taught me that I wasn’t loved for myself.
Happiness swells through me because tonight, I’m being shown that everything has changed.
Since coming to Freedom, I’ve found men who raise me up and support me for all of who I am.
My brother and his husband love me, unconditionally. They know about my dark past and they’ll fight my demons alongside me.
My best friend, Neve, doesn’t fit in the same way that I don’t but she’s never stopped being my friend. She’s turned her entire bar into an expression of love with this birthday without needing to say a word…and that’s very Neve.
I grin, pulling back from Cody. “Thanks, guys. This is awesome.”
“I invited Lucy, but she has a shift at the hospital.” Neve’s expression softens, when she talks about her girlfriend. “It’s a shame because you have your hot blond here tonight,” she winks at Shay, who blushes, “and I wanted mine.”
I haven’t seen Neve talk or act like this about anyone before. She doesn’t do the traditional partner thing, including inviting them to important events.
It’s hopeful.
“Have you been dragged along to any more extreme sports with Lucy like skydiving or juggling machetes?” I ask.
Neve is an Emo and the least outdoorsy person I know. Yet she’s trying in order to share Lucy’s passions.
Still, she pulls a face. “We’re kayaking next weekend.”
Shay perks up. “Lucy sounds like a badass. I’d love to do those things.”
D’Angelo sighs. “It appears hot blonds are adrenaline junkies.”
“So, this party was a surprise…?” Neve narrows her eyes at Shay. “No little piggy squealed?”
Shay looks startled. “No squealing. Well, unless it’s because Jude—”
“Don’t complete that sentence if you want to leave this bar alive,” Neve says with a deadly seriousness, which makes Shay’s eyes widen.
I bite my lip not to chuckle.
D’Angelo marches to stand next to Shay’s shoulder. “Is someone threatening my cucciolo?”
Shay looks both proud and smug like D’Angelo is his shining knight.
Na?ve.
Neve leans forward. “My bar, my rules.”
Cody grabs my hand and yanks me to the booth. “Let’s get this party started, before we have to break up a fight. Who do you think would win?”
“Too close to call.”
Honestly, it would be Neve.
Cody and I squirm into the booth next to Neve.
When Michael rotates Shay’s swollen ankle, Shay gasps.
D’Angelo squeezes Shay’s shoulder, reassuringly.
“What’s the verdict?” I ask.
“Nothing serious,” Michael replies. I puff out a relieved breath. “But I’d still advise an x-ray.”
Shay sets his jaw, stubbornly. “This is Robyn’s big night.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I reply. “Let’s take you to hospital.”
Shay shakes his head. “Not a chance, love. I’ll go if I need to later in the week. I’ll survive.”
I’ve survived worse.
I know that’s what he is thinking.
I know that he has.
When will he realize that’s not the point? That his health is the most important thing? That he’s worthy of this care?
“Shay,” D’Angelo growls, “you will go, if you need to.”
Shay looks away. “It doesn’t hurt.”
“Am I talking to Eden?” Michael quirks his brow. “For a moment then, I couldn’t tell.”
Shay hurriedly drags on his sock and boot. “We are identical twins. So, does it need to be amputated, doc?”
“Hilarious.” I narrow my eyes.
“It’s a mild sprain.” Michael slips into professional mode, looking stern. “Did you know that falls are the leading cause of deaths in home accidents? I see injuries like this a lot. It could have been more serious. Keep it elevated like this and rest it for the next twenty-four to seventy-two hours. Once you’re home, you can also try applying an ice pack about six times a day.”
My stomach drops. Panic spikes through me.
D’Angelo’s hand tightens on Shay’s shoulder.
Shay’s eyes look wild. “I can’t rest that long. I have the next game tomorrow night.”
Michael looks grim. “You should sit it out. If you don’t give this ankle enough time to heal, then it could lead to long term problems.”
“I see problems like that in my role.” Cody looks at Shay, sympathetically. “I’m sorry, Shay. But players going back too soon on minor injuries leads to chronic injuries, which I then need to treat. Things that suck like chronic ankle instability. Weakness, you know? And that’s serious in hockey. Imagine your ankle gives way, when you’re on the ice.”
“I’m playing.” Shay turns to stare up at D’Angelo with a devotion that takes away my breath.
D’Angelo is caught in Shay’s gaze.
He’s frozen, shocked. “Cucciolo, you’re not risking your health.”
“Not your choice.” Shay’s voice holds a rare, quiet dominance. “ I’m playing .”
Sometimes, I forget just how much both these twins have sacrificed for each other. Also, how much they’re prepared to sacrifice for D’Angelo and me.
Then I remember, and it takes away my breath.
The same realization appears to have hit D’Angelo, and his words have been stolen.
He nods.
“Always nice, when your medical advice is valued,” Michael says, dryly. He breaks the tension of the moment by pushing a cocktail toward me, which is blood-red and bubbling. Sliced cherries rim the salted glass. It’s filled with crushed ice and a wedge of orange. “Tom created this unique cocktail as your birthday present. It’s called the Bloody Robyn Hood.”
I glance over at the tiny, red haired bar man.
When he smiles and waves, I raise the cocktail and pretend to take a sip.
Hell, that’s disgusting.
Now I know what blood tastes like flavored with rat poison.
I gag.
“Problem, love?” Shay pushes his hair back from his eyes. “Does Robyn Hood taste bloody bad?”
“Shay,” D’Angelo says in a warning tone.
Shay laughs, brightly.
We both know that his next line was going to be about how sweet he knows I do taste.
“What the hell is in this potion?” I hurriedly put down the glass and turn to Neve.
“Fuck knows. Tom had fun trying something new.” Neve simply pushes a beer bottle over to me.
Relieved, I pick it up. “This is why you’re my bestie.”
Neve and I clink our bottles.
Cody snatches up a beer and raises it in a toast.
Michael pushes a beer toward Shay and then hands D’Angelo a whiskey, before lifting his own drink of whiskey.
He already knows my men well.
“To the best sister in the world!” Cody declares.
I smile.
We all clink our drinks.
“To getting pissed,” Neve adds.
“Amen,” I raise my beer higher.
We clink our glasses again and drink.
I need this. The pressure has been intense this week.
I’m going to get stupidly drunk tonight. I am the birthday girl after all.
My name is on the banner.
That’s the rule, right?
Plus, it will give D’Angelo the excuse to give me a birthday spanking.
D’Angelo quirks a questioning eyebrow, when he catches my gaze.
Whoops, I’m obviously not hiding how much that thought is turning me on.
“Problem, love?” Shay leans across the table, concerned.
“Nope, no problem here,” I ramble. “All’s good. Beer, family, and friends. It’s—”
“She’s probably worrying about when the birthday spanking is happening.” Neve pushes her glasses more firmly onto her nose. I freeze. Has everyone in this bar turned into a mind reader? I’m in serious trouble. “You know, it’s okay if you’re the one to spank D’Angelo. Break tradition. And break the patriarchy.”
“Thanks,” D’Angelo drawls. “Always an ally.”
Michael chuckles.
Unexpectedly, Tom weaves his way through the crowds to the booth.
I quickly drop the beer back onto the table and snatch the Bloody Robyn Hood, dragging it closer. I wrinkle my nose, as it sloshes over the side onto my hand.
Hopefully, it’s not toxic enough to burn my skin.
Tom is carrying a large bottle of champagne.
His jade eyes sparkle with excitement. “Enjoying the cocktail? Is it good?”
“Hmm,” I lick my lips. Am I overdoing it? “Delicious.”
“I can make it for you, whenever you like.”
Shay huffs a laugh.
I cringe, forcing myself to smile. “Great.”
To my surprise, Tom drops the heavy champagne bottle onto the table in front of me. “This is from the man at the bar.”
Confused, I stand and peer over at the bar.
I don’t recognize anyone.
“Who was it?” Neve demands.
Tom pales. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Of course not, Tom.” Suddenly, anxiety surges through me. “What did he look like?”
“Was he handsome?” D’Angelo launches himself to his feet. His expression is worryingly flat. “Blond?”
Tom glances between us. “Yeah.”
D’Angelo paces forward, scanning the crowds. He’s ashen, as if he’s about to hurl.
It must have been D’Angelo’s obsessed stalker.
The man who sent the cuff links, diamond Rolex, and the Halloween costume.
So, it’s not the leader of the Misfits, Vega.
It’s a man.
A handsome, blond man.
Shit, is it…?
Wide-eyed, I twist to D’Angelo.
Fear floods me, when I see how troubled he is.
“If he’s here, then we need to leave.” D’Angelo takes a deliberate step further away from both Shay and me like he’s frightened of risking us by our closeness. “He’s ruined your party like he’s trying to ruin me. This champagne looks innocent but nothing about him is. It’s a threat. It means that he’s tracked us down here and is watching. We should have been safe to be ourselves but now we’re not. We’re in danger.”