Page 31 of Jack

“I wanna go home,” she cries.

“Okay, sweetie. I got you.” Maci wraps her arms around Everly and rubs her back until she calms down. “Where’s Harley?”

Everly waves toward the far corner of the backyard. “On the other side of the Pit, but I wanna go home, Aunt Maci.”

“Okay, but I have to lock the gate back.”

It takes another few minutes before Everly releases her so she can lock the gate. I get a glimpse inside the backyard. People are gathered around in little groups. Most of them are drinking. A few are dancing and drinking. All of them are loud.

Maci leans her head inside the gate to look around for her sister. Her eyes widen, and she sucks in a breath.

“What?” I look over her shoulder.

Everly does, too. “Ugh. I hate her.”

Jack sits on the top of one of the picnic tables with his feet on the bench. A bunch of bikers are sitting with him or standing around the table. A woman with wavy blonde hair stands beside the table with her arms around Jack’s neck. He doesn’t even look at her.

“Oh, this isn’t happening.” Maci takes two steps inside.

“No, Aunt Maci. I wanna go home. Please,” Everly pleads.

Maci’s eyes meet mine. “She doesn’t mean anything to him.”

“Not my problem.” But I want to help Maci jerk this heifer off her brother.

Chapter 14

__________

Jack

This party is already getting out of hand. The kids don’t leave for at least another forty-five minutes. I love a good party. However, these idiots need to settle down. My sister is one of those idiots. Some of our guests tonight are new and don’t seem to understand our nine o’clock rule. If Dad sees this, he’ll blow a gasket.

The clubhouse was too stuffy, so I retreated to the backyard. It’s crowded out here, but at least the air is cool. Brothers from six or seven states are here again this weekend. Shep’s chapter from Texas arrived this afternoon. It’s great seeing them. It’s not so great watching my sister make a fool of herself. Jay and I have been watching her since Maci texted to give us a heads-up.

“Hear you’ll be working with us come Monday.” Cloudy Daze joins our group around the picnic table.

This table is the one closest to the clubhouse on the right side of the yard. The grove of trees hiding our homes is on the other side of the fence behind me. I’ve looked over my shoulder several times to where I know the guest house sits. My heart isn’t into partying tonight. If Maci hadn’t texted, I’d have already left.

“Yep, I’ll be there.” Honestly, I haven’t given much thought to my new job. My mind’s elsewhere. Once again, I look over my shoulder, wishing I was on the other side of those trees.

“Got a ’57 Chevy coming in needing an oil change and a tune-up. Figured you’d wanna help with that.” Cloudy takes the beer Jay offers him.

“Thanks, Blade.” Cloudy twists the top off and takes a long swig. His head bobs to the music.

"Yeah, man. Can’t wait to see it." A ’57 Chevy? Now, that’s a dream. Monday might not be so bad.

Frank Thompson, better known by the entire world as Cloudy Daze, has worked at the shop with Jay for as long as I can remember. He’s not an official member of the Viking Warriors. We proudly claim him, though.

Cloudy doesn’t belong to any MC. He went to school with my parents and hardly ever meets a stranger. His fun-loving nature has him well-known by nearly everyone in Middle Tennessee and half the country. He has so many friends in different clubs that he won’t choose one. Every club I know has made Cloudy an honorary member anyway.

Jay sits beside me on the table and puts his feet on the bench next to mine. His eyes roam over the crowd. He pauses on Harley for a moment. Yeah, she’s already drunk. Jay looks toward the clubhouse. A huge grin almost splits his face.

Jay nudges me with his elbow and nods toward the clubhouse. “Look who’s here.”

“Well, I’ll be darn.” Cloudy snatches the kid as he’s walking by.

“Geez, Cloudy.” Miles swats Cloudy’s hands away. “Personal space, dude.”

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