Page 30 of Blade

Sometime later, I walked through the door of The Diner. I saw the girls sitting in a booth in the far corner. As I walked past the counter, I noticed two men with cuts sitting there. The girls explained yesterday they are called cuts, not vests. It had something to do with the arms being cut off what was originally a jacket or something.

Jack and Blade sat there with their backs to me. For about a half a second, I considered stopping to ask if he was following me. Then I remembered Grams’ words, and I continued past them to go sit with the girls.

When I got to the table, I saw Rachel, Lily and another girl sitting together. I slid into the booth next to Rachel and said hello.

“Beck, I am so glad you’re here. You remember Lily, I’m sure, and this is Grace. She is around our age and moved to town about two years ago.”

“Hi, Lily. Hi, Grace, nice to meet you.”

“Rachel said you grew up here with her?” Grace asked, and then took a sip of her mimosa.

“I did. We were friends throughout school.”

“Hey,” Rachel protested playfully as she bumped my shoulder. “We’re still friends. You just took a long vacation.”

“A vacation? I wish.”

Despite the memory of why I left, I still couldn’t help but smile at Rachel. Looking over Lily’s shoulder, I noticed Blade staring at me.

“I don’t want to sound paranoid, but are they here because we are here?”

I knew I was bringing attention to myself, but there was just something that felt off about those two sitting there. Especially since Blade couldn’t seem to help himself from looking over here.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

I looked over at Rachel.

“Seriously?”

“Well, me specifically and possibly Lily. Cash doesn’t like me to be out and about without someone with me. I’m sure Jack volunteered, hoping Samantha would be here, and she should be here soon. Blade and he are tight, so usually where one goes, the other follows.”

“Wait, you can’t go anywhere without someone watching you? Isn’t that a huge red flag? That seems like controlling behavior.”

Lily started laughing and I couldn’t imagine what she found so funny.

Grace spoke up next, “You’re new to the club, aren’t you?”

“What does that have to do with it?”

“These guys are cavemen. They are possessive and protective. But it isn’t about control. It’s about safety. I work at the bar across town and every night there is at least one brother sitting at the bar drinking soda. Usually it’s Johnny the prospect.”

Lily turned to Grace.

“Wait, you too? What have you not told me? Who wants you?”

Grace laughed at her friend.

“No one wants me. Johnny said King wanted someone there watching out for me because I am friends with youand Rachel. I imagine Beck will have her own tail before long.”

“Oh heck, no, I won’t.”

Just then, Samantha rushed through the door and crashed into our booth next to Lily. “Sorry I’m late, had some stuff at home I had to work out. So, what are we talking about?”

“Beck just found out why tweedle dee and tweedle dumb are sitting at the counter,” Rachel remarked as she pointed to Jack and Blade.

“Honestly, what do they think is going to happen? Nothing ever happens here.” Samantha slipped off her coat as she motioned for the server to bring the menus and a couple more mimosas.

“Just be glad you don’t have someone following you around,” Lily said, looking at Samantha.

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