46. Chapter 46
Aweek later, X is moved in, Paulie’s sharing custody of Spot with us, and the bakery’s reopened. Paulie was concerned the shooting might affect business, but between his loyal customers and the draw of the curious, it’s busier than it’s ever been.
X is still keeping crazy hours, doing prep at night and college during the day, but we find a lot of time for each other. Mostly fuckin’ but we talk too. I’m overprotective right now, giving her rides to and from work and school. She’s waiting for Red to fix her car, but I’m stalling it. I don’t want her out alone and vulnerable.
She wants to go camping and fishing next summer. Bring Paulie along. We both think she’s out of her mind, but we can’t get her to change it. Rider offers to teach me how to fish, and Rocky says we can use his pond for practice. I think I’ll just find a fuckin’ book and figure it out myself.
X’s former friends, Tracy and Mariah, are both alive and thriving. Moliter’s goons never did catch up with them. Edgar too, is intact. This information is funneled through Lavender because even if X had thoughts about forgiving the three of them, I haven’t. They will never be part of our lives.
Lavender and Bannock have gotten together, which doesn’t sit well with X, but I don’t have a problem with it. The more Lavender is hanging around Hook’s, the less she’s at our house.
After a particularly trying day at the clubhouse, I get home to find Lavender parked on my couch. “Get the fuck out,” I say to her. It sounds rude, but really, it’s my version of banter.
X comes around the corner. “We were planning the wedding.”
“We got months before we get married.”
Lavender huffs. “Do you know how much is involved in planning a wedding?”
“No,” I say, irritated that she’s still got her ass parked on my couch. “Because I’ve never been married.”
X gifts me with one of her beautiful smiles. “Me neither. That’s why it’s gonna take so long.”
“Don’t matter.” I turn back to Lavender. “Why are you still here?”
She huffs and grabs her purse as she stands. Guess she’s not as good at banter as I am.
“I’ll see you later at Hook’s,” X says as she walks her to the door, ushers her out, then turns back to me.
“You’re not goin’ to Hook’s,” I growl.
She puts her fists on her hips. “If I don’t go to Hook’s, how am I gonna see her?”
I grab her, shove her down on the couch and throw myself on top of her. “You’re not fuckin’ going to Hook’s.”
“Ow,” she cries as she wiggles. “My hair’s caught.”
I love her hair, but it really is a cockblocker. I grab her head and pull it towards me, then twist her hair in my hand and raise it over her head. “Better?” I say as I give it a hard tug.
She grins at me. “You know what’d be great? If you did that thing with your tongue again.”
“I can do that,” I say. Turns out it’s better than great. It’s amazing. Like her.
The End