Page 74 of These Deadly Vows

As big a pain in the ass as Gunner is, he’s not wrong about my bringing Boo up here. Everyone is giving us dirty looks, but the thing about it is. I don’t give a fuck. I cashed in my ticket to Hell a long time ago.

“Hey.” I bump the cold bottle against Boo’s shoulder.

“Thanks.”

“Did you want a plate or to get in the water?”

“Not yet. Let’s not push our luck.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and takes a hard pull off the bottle.

“No one is going to say shit.”

“They don’t have to. I know they’re all thinking it.”

“What’s that?”

“What’s she doing here? Why’d he bring her? Are they fucking?”

“What about me? You seem to know what’s on everyone’s mind. Tell me what I’m thinking right now.”

She stares at me intensely, studying my face. “You’re thinking, man. I really want to get Boo a hot dog.”

“Cute. All right. I can do that. What do you want on it?”

“Do you know if Goat made the sauce?”

“I can ask?”

“He’s always made the best sauce. And well, no offense to her, but Adeline doesn’t strike me as a girl who knows her way around the kitchen.”

“You’re not wrong. She’s cool though. You’d probably like her under other circumstances.”

She scrunches her nose, making an ew expression.

“No?”

“Yeah. I’m not really into the whole rich bitch scene.”

“Nah. She’s not like that when you get to know her.”

“I doubt that, but I’ll take your word for it.”

I balance my beer on the ledge and hit up the food table.

I shouldn’t be here. That’s the one thought I keep having as I watch everyone around me laughing and having a good time. I’m the last person any of them want to see today. Especially Ghost and Adeline. It’s weird watching them together and seeing him look…content.

I think it’s the first time I’ve ever witnessed him so at ease amongst his men. With anyone.

He’s always had this dark cloud around him. Our pain was something we shared. His brutal past and my fall from grace. Him hating the man who ruined his life. Me hating this club for what they made my father become.

I’m not even jealous that he’s moved on. Sure, I was angry at first, but Ghost was never going to be mine. That prank with Adeline and her hair was childish, but seeing her today, I did her a favor. The darker color suits her. Gives her some edge.

Not that I care.

But maybe this is a sign that it’s time for me to move on. To let go of this idea that this is where I belong.

“Cheers, girl.” Prue, Mutant’s sister, clinks her beer with mine.

“Hey you. Longtime no see.” She stopped coming around after things didn’t work out for her and Hatchet. I don’t know what happened between them. Wasn’t my place to ask, but she’s always been cool.

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