Page 13 of Could Be Worse

I’d spend the weekend winterizing the house and yard. Do laundry because I’d worn my last pair of clean underwear, which were wonderfully soiled. I’d sleep commando under my sweats, then put a load to wash first thing in the morning.

Maybe I’d take the girls out to Sugar Bliss Bakery for a treat and cook a pot of chili to eat while I watch the Vikings smash the Packers.

I snorted. Not likely to smash. I’d be happy if they’d just get points on the board.

Monday would be here in the blink of an eye. Hopefully, I’d win the bid for the shopping center.

5

Sadie

My mom squeezed the oxygen out of me, while my dad stared at me with a questioning eye. He didn’t buy my I missed you and the club.

Seconds after I drove through the iron gate of the compound, my dad and mom ran out of the clubhouse. There was no surprising anyone. The armed guard in the shack had announced my arrival to everyone.

Now the bar was in a joyful frenzy.

“I don’t understand, honey. What about the Nutcracker? Your practices?” my mom asked as she released me.

“Can we talk about it at home? I just want to see everyone.”

“Sadie!” Birdie screamed my name as she charged toward me. “Oh my God! Oh my God! When did you get home? Why are you home? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” The questions flew out of her mouth as she wrapped me in a bear hug.

Before I got to answer, Ember, Demi, and Dezi created a circle around us. I truly missed my girlfriends.

“You are so busted.” Ember slapped my butt. “No text or call, you bitch!”

“It wouldn’t have been a surprise if I let you know I was coming.”

“True. I forgive you.” Ember hugged me. “I call dibs on a private convo.”

“Oh, please. I get Sadie first, but not tonight.” Birdie took my hand and tugged me toward a table.

The girls followed without complaint. This was how it had always been with them. Birdie was the leader of her peers, and no one questioned her position or tried to knock her down a few pegs. It was like they were their own girls’ club, and I missed them terribly. They were more than my girlfriends; they were my family. We’d all grown up together and had the best times being raised in the club.

Along the way, Maddy, Emilee, and Tara gave me a quick hug. My dad watched me like a hawk from a table across the room. Some of my KLMC uncles were with him: Storm, Hero, and Dodge. I was confident they were discussing me and my surprise visit.

The prez, Maddox, was at the councils’ table with his VP, Raymond, and enforcer, Bjorn. There’d been a lot of changes since I went off to college in New York. New threats had entered Knight’s Legion territory, keeping Maddox and the club busy protecting everyone. Plus, the legacies were growing up, and many were following their own paths, which didn’t include the MC. Much like I had done, leaving Minnesota.

“All right, spill the tea.” Birdie leveled her gaze at me. The concern in her bright-blue eyes put a lump in my throat. “We all know how badly you wanted to be the Sugar Plum Fairy. Girl, you’d finally made it on Broadway. What gives?”

The girls nodded, their eyes on me.

“Why are you here, babe?” Ember asked. “While I love you and missed you like crazy, our star ballerina doesn’t belong here. Your show is in two months. Did something happen?”

I exhaled a heavy breath. Everybody was reacting the way I expected. Ember was right; I shouldn’t be home, but I had no choice after receiving the pictures of my mom.

“Sadie!” My baby sister, Lexi, ran toward me. Zane followed her. “I didn’t believe it when Mom told me you were at the clubhouse. Had to see for myself.” She dropped onto my lap and wrapped her arms around me. She was fifteen now, and every bit the spoiled baby in our family. She always sat on my or Mom’s lap.

“I’m so happy to see you. Life in the concrete jungle keeps me crazy busy, even to stay in touch with my family.”

“Is that why you’re home? You missed me… Er, I mean us.” Lexi flashed a million-dollar smile. She and Zane resembled our dad, both with blonde hair and hazel eyes. We didn’t have the same father. I’d grown up not knowing my biological dad, but I hadn’t cared. My dad, Zander Quinn, had loved me and filled the void.

“Yes. I missed all of you.”

Chase appeared and jerked his chin at me. “Good to see you, Sadie.”

“Thanks.”

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