Page 23 of Static

"If this guy is as much a do-gooder as you think he is," Hell said, looking at Static, "he should end up checking out any tip given, even if he doesn't know who's giving it."

"That's what I'm hoping," Static said with a nod. He leaned over the back of Idaho's chair, his hands on the top as though he was too agitated to sit.

"If you do have to send someone in for David to listen to, I could do it," I offered.

"Or I could," Static growled. "I could tell him that as a lawyer, I have information, but it would be a conflict of interest for me to formally get involved."

Toxic leaned over again, malice in his eyes and whispered into my ear. My eyes opened wide. "Thank you Toxic, you're absolutely correct." I turned to Static. "You should be the one to approach him. But only after you apologize to him."

"What does he have to apologize for?" Idaho asked, sounding thrilled and curious. He wanted the gossip on his friend.

"He wasn't very nice to David this morning when they met."

"Maybe because you keep calling him David," my brother offered as an explanation.

"That's his name," I replied with exasperation.

"And why were you with him?" Priest asked, face an innocent mask. Everyone was staring at me again.

I looked at Lock for help, but even he looked amused. I had a feeling this was more about them needling Static than trying to dig at me, but it was uncomfortable. "He asked me out, and-"

"Oh, ho, ho!" Idaho crowed out. "Really? Are you going to go out with him?"

"No," Static snapped, shoving Idaho's chair forward until the front of his friend's ribcage hit the table. "She isn't."

I opened my mouth to speak, but Static was already stalking over to me. He stopped next to my chair, but he didn't grab me, which I appreciated. It was almost as if he could tell that grabbing me and manhandling me made my nerves worse. It often put me right back to that night with Trent. He held out his large hand, palm up.

"I could kick his ass for you," Toxic offered, giving Static a malicious smirk.

"That's okay," I said with a shake of my head. These men liked to get on each other's nerves in a way I didn't understand, but they loved each other deeply. Their weird bonding practices had nothing to do with me. I took Static's hand and stood, following him toward the door.

"Gwen."

We stopped and I looked over at Lockout. "We appreciate your help with this."

"Of course. I'm happy to help. I appreciate you letting me and my children live here. And you protecting us." I smiled at him. Lockout was a good, caring man.

"How are they feeling?"

It didn't surprise me to find that he knew my babies were sick. "I think they're starting to feel better."

"Good. Let us know if you need anything. If they need anything."

I nodded and followed Static out of the room. He dropped me back off upstairs at my apartment.

"I have to get back down there," he said.

Grabbing his arm as he started to turn away, I searched his eyes. He looked irritated. "Are you mad at me?" I hated how painfully insecure I sounded, but this was the result of being with a man for years who played mind games and manipulated my emotions. It was going to take time for me to get over that.

His eyes softened. "Of course not, Sugar." He sighed. "Look. I can be a real asshole. I don't like the idea of bringing David into this because of his connection to you, however insignificant. But it's the easiest way to go about things."

"I'm not going to see him again," I told him. "Unless the club needs me to in order for him to help."

He reached out and cupped my cheek, his thumb swiping over my skin. It took everything in me not to lean into the caress. "I know. I appreciate that. You and I will talk later, okay?"

"Okay," I whispered. He flashed me that devastating smile and I watched as he walked away.

What are you doing? This is going to end badly, and you're the one who always gets hurt when it does.

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