Page 78 of Fletch

“So, what was your reason?” asks Lexi, beginning to move the dirt into a pile.

I’m not sure I’m ready to open up to these women, but something tells me I should because winning them over will help me win over Fletch. I almost laugh to myself. Why the hell do I want to win him after everything? I give my head a shake. “My father convinced me to give Ruby up. I wasn’t very confident back then. I’m still not, really,” I add, almost as an afterthought. “And I’d found Fletch with . . .” They stare at me, waiting. “He was with my best friend.”

“Oh shit,” mutters Luna, wincing.

“He’s not the most loyal,” adds Lexi, and I stare down at the tulips in my hand.

“Yeah, I’m starting to see that.”

“He’s changed,” argues Luna. “You’re not being fair,” she adds, giving Lexi a pointed look. “I think he just struggles to open up, and until he does, he’ll keep fucking up so he doesn’t have to face things.”

“I don’t know anything about him,” I admit. “He never spoke of his life when he was younger.”

“Didn’t he end up in care?” asks Lexi.

Luna nods. “He doesn’t talk about it, not even to the guys.”

I frown, remembering the file I dug up on Fletch. What the hell did I do with it? I make a mental note to look when I get home because I definitely had it there last.

“Well, maybe he’ll open up now,” says Lexi. “He seems into you.”

I scoff. “He hates me, and right now, I’m not his biggest fan either. I lied about Ruby, and he set me up.”

“You came for him first,” says Lexi, shrugging. “All’s fair in love and war, right?”

“How can you even justify what he’s done?” I ask, dropping the tulips into the planter. “I’ve lost my job, my career.”

Lexi frowns. “You knew the risks.”

“But nobody would’ve known had he not made a tape.”

“There’s a tape?” asks Luna, but neither of us reply because we’re both in an intense stare-off. “What’s on it?”

“He had to protect the club,” Lexi says.

“And what about me?” I snap. “I thought he liked me, and all along, he was playing me.”

“Weren’t you doing the same?” she demands. “The audacity to sit here complaining about what he did when you were doing the exact same.”

“Do you even remember what it was like before the club?” I snap. “Do you remember what being a police officer stood for?”

She gives a nod. “Yes, but I also remember what it felt like to be used. They get you in and pretend you’re part of the ‘blue lights family’ but it’s bullshit. They didn’t give a crap about putting me in danger.”

“You could’ve said no.”

“They should never have put me in the position they did. Look how quickly they dropped you just so they didn’t have to explain the fuck-up. All they care about is their reputation.”

“I wanted this time to be peaceful,” mutters Luna. “Why are you arguing when you’re both in the same boat? You fell in love.”

I scowl. “I did not.”

“We’re not alike,” Lexi adds, like she’s disgusted to be compared to me.

I smirk. “You’re right. I never broke the law for the club.” She scoffs, shaking her head. “What?” I ask. “I didn’t.”

“Right, of course.”

“I tipped him off, it’s not the same.”

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