Page 49 of Static

Gwen

Iwatched Static the next day, fully aware that I was happier than I'd been in a long time. He and the others were busy planning whatever they were about to do with those drugs. He pulled me aside this morning for a brief moment and explained again that they only brought that stuff here to help with what they were doing with Fremont. It was enough for me, that and the fact that they had them locked up so none of the kids accidentally found them. That was the last thing we needed. We'd taken our kids out of school during this time, claiming a vacation, and though the schools made us jump through hoops to approve their absences, ultimately we were all here at the clubhouse and safe. For now.

I did have to chuckle to myself, though. That I watched burley bikers carrying in loads of coke, and god knows what and casually store it away seemed so crazy. All while they were saying, "Oh no, it's not for us." In what other world was that a normal and believable line? This was my life now. And yet, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Brushing my fingers over my lips, I smiled to myself. They were still tingling from the kiss Static had given me hours ago. The way he'd taken control felt good. Too good. Like a drug, and I'd become addicted at the first touch.

"You okay?" Jordan asked, bumping my shoulder.

"Never better."

She paused, her eyes narrowing as she studied me. "Something's different," she announced.

"Nope," I said, ducking my head. I wanted to keep Static's and my newly formed relationship a secret. Only for a few days. I wanted to hold it close and enjoy it. Then I'd tell my friends and answer all their questions. They were going to be thrilled that I took their advice. I had another appointment with Dr. Donaldson at the end of the week, too. I was hoping she could provide some valuable insight into how moving forward with this kind of a step would affect me.

I wasn't lying when I told Static that this wasn't going to be easy. Sleeping was difficult. If I managed to actually fall asleep, I usually woke up sweating, crying, or screaming. Sometimes all three. The slightest things still sent me into a panic attack, like last week when Static came home with blood on him. I was going to have to figure out how to not shut him out during those times. And he'd have to figure out how to deal with them, and me. It was going to be easier for him than me, I suspected. Somehow he just understood me. And it felt amazing to have another person get you in that way.

"...that okay?"

Staring at Jordan, I realized I missed everything she just said to me. "I-I'm sorry-"

"Please," she begged. "We'll have so much fun." She gave me the puppy dog eyes that she knew worked whenever my son or daughter used them.

The only problem was, I didn't know what she wanted. "I didn't hear you, Sweetie."

She propped her hands on her hips. "You were ignoring me?"

"Not ignoring," I argued with a laugh. "Lost in thought."

Her eyes narrowed again, but a smile was on her lips. "Something's definitely going on." I opened my mouth to deny it, but she waved one of her hands. "It's fine. I'm not going to pry." She gave me an intense look. "This time."

"Miracles never cease," I muttered.

Her mouth dropped open and we both started laughing. "I asked," she said, tone indignant, "if I could take the kids for a sleepover?"

"You just had one last night," I pointed out.

"No, you slept over, too. Well, until you snuck off to bed and left me on the couch," she grumped.

I laughed. "Sorry about that."

"It's fine. You know I can sleep anywhere."

She really could. I found her asleep on her floor one morning. It scared the hell out of me at the time. I thought she was dead. She was sprawled out on her back. Turned out she'd just had a late night at work and had stretched out there while she'd been working on Haze's new jesses, the little leather straps with bells for her hawk. One minute she was adjusting the bells, the next she just decided to stretch out. I wish I had even an ounce of Jordan's ability to fall asleep quickly and deeply.

"If you're sure?" I asked. The kids loved spending time with Jordan, and their uncle.

"I'm sure." She gave me a hopeful look.

"Okay," I said with a shrug.

"Yes!" she whooped as she bolted away from me, probably off to find the kids.

"I'll get their stuff ready," I said, mostly to myself, because she was already gone. The fact that this group of people loved my children so much brought tears to my eyes. It was never an obligatory, 'can we keep them for the night?'. They were always genuinely excited to spend time with my kids. With all the kids around here.

"What're you doing?"

I jumped, my hand flying to my chest, as if that could keep my heart from bulldozing its way out of my chest.

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