CHAPTER 2 #2
The last thing I was willing to do was add to the cruelty she’d already endured. Eventually, her tears stopped and she shuddered against my chest, my arms only loosely wrapped around her. I didn’t offer any more comfort, not wanting to cross a line without realizing it.
Because the last thing I’ve ever wanted was Lola in my bed.
Her voice was hoarse when she finally spoke again, “I thought I would escape it being in my face all the time when I moved here. Then she followed me.”
She sounded so fucking helpless and lost. I had no idea what to say, so I kept my mouth shut.
I didn’t offer her empty, placating words. I didn’t sympathize. I just stayed.
We haven’t talked about it since then, but I’ve watched more closely. The way Lola looks away whenever Vanessa is anywhere near her. The little attempts Lola has made to show Lara and everyone else that she’s got someone backing her now.
As I’ve had the chance to think about it more, the more I’ve burned with anger on Lola’s behalf. I’m filled disbelief that the same woman who tormented her sister is so well liked around town.
People think she is brave for being a single mother. No one has questioned why she had a child so young.
People were impressed that she opened her business. They rave about the bakery and everything she makes. That hype, at least, is valid.
She thinks she’s untouchable. It pisses me off.
So does the way she looks at me.
It’s a damn good thing the last thing I care about is how she feels about me. She doesn’t hide it.
The way she tries to always make it seem like I’m listening to the wrong person and don’t have all the information is such a classic manipulation tactic.
I’ve seen the way my brothers look at me when I’m unwilling to let Lara off the hook and poke at her instead.
They don’t get it; they haven’t heard about the things she’s done.
Just because Lola is a club whore doesn’t mean she isn’t telling the truth.
“Playboy,” Scratch gives my shoulder a shove and I look up him. He’s looking at me with concern in his eyes, and I have to wonder if this is the first time he’s called my name. “You good, man?”
“Oh, yeah,” I brush him off. “I’m good. Just tired.”
He lets out a low chuckle, but the smile slides off his face when he looks up and sees Lola coming back in our direction. The moment she sits down, she slides a beer into my hand with her lips in a pout and grievance written all over her face.
Scratch shoots me a look of displeasure, but he doesn’t tell Lola to move along or remind her about the rules on family day.
“I didn’t know she was coming today,” Lola almost hisses next to my ear, smart enough to keep her voice quiet.
My eyes narrow as they sweep over the backyard and spot Vanessa. Just as I’m about to do another sweep, because I know Lara won’t be far behind, the air changes and I already know. She’s here.
Lola stiffens next to me and my jaw clenches.
When I look over at Lara, she’s surrounded by a few Old Ladies and Opal, Snake’s sister, and the person we can’t live without because she keeps the clubhouse running.
She’s the queen of the ant colony, as it were, and we all respect the fuck out of her for it.
It can’t be easy putting up with all of us, but she does it. Sometimes she even does it with a smile.
Lara’s eyes scan the area, but she doesn’t look at me.
When she sees Vanessa, something softens on her face.
They share a long look and part of me wonders what they’re communicating silently.
The love between them is obvious and Lola makes a choked sound next to me like she’s seeing the same thing I am, and it hits deep.
I can see the nervousness on Lara’s face even though she tries to hide it under a smile. For a second, I wonder if I’m the reason she’s nervous, but then her eyes flick in my direction and they flash with something the second she sees Lola. A warning? A promise?
Lola flinches slightly even though she tries to cover it with a nervous giggle. When I glance at Scratch, he has one eyebrow raised as if he’s watching a show.
Dad walks up to where Opal and Lara are chatting and my stomach drops. I don’t think Lara and Rumble have ever interacted before, and I want to move closer to find out what the fuck they’re talking about. It’s not like the two of them could have anything in common.
My spine straightens and Lola scoffs softly. “Give her two minutes and a few smiles and she’ll charm him,” Lola’s voice is low, the warm air from her lips sliding along my neck. “If she makes him laugh,” her lips smack together slightly as she lets the rest of the words go unsaid.
She sits back with a look of knowing on her face, as if she’s seen it play out before. I study Lola’s face for a moment before glancing at Scratch. It looks like he’s going to say something before Whiskey comes up and pulls him into a conversation.