Page 50 of Jack

Bunny looks me over with disgust. She needs to look in the mirror. Her two sizes too small cropped top and short shorts scream trashy. She’s perfected the perfect devious smile. It might be the only thing she’s accomplished in her life.

“You must like it rough. Might be what he sees in you.” Her smile widens.

I spew water into my hand. “What?”

She points a long red fingernail at my face. “Women only wear sunglasses inside when they’re hiding a black eye.”

“Leave now,” Kayla demands.

Bunny ignores her. She twirls her bottled blonde hair around her fingers. “Jack give you that?”

I gape at her. This woman is insane. Slowly, I take my sunglasses off and lay them on the counter. My black eye and bruised cheek have healed. The sunglasses have become a safety net and a crutch. They let me hide. I only wear them when I’m out in public.

“You haven’t been in his bed.” She drops her head back and laughs like a maniac. She straightens up and turns serious just as fast. “That makes one of us.”

Oh my gosh. She’s Jack’s lover. If he has a girlfriend, why is he helping me so much? Wait. She can’t be Jack’s girlfriend. She was hanging all over one of the men at the pool tables a few minutes ago. What does that make her? Oh no. My back stiffens, and my eyes meet hers.

“Leave now, bunny, or I’ll have you escorted out the gate.” Granddad stands behind Pops with his arms crossed. “This is Jack’s girl. You treat her as such.”

Bunny slides off the stool. Her laugh is pure evil. “You’re not made for this world. You’re too soft. You bruise easily. He’ll chew you up and spit you out in a week. I’ll be here when he does.”

“That’s enough.” Granddad grabs Bunny by the arm. “Talk to her like that again, and my ole’ lady will end your contract.” He practically drags her over to the pool tables.

The ole’ ladies at the tables watch with their lips pressed together. Pops wants to say something but doesn’t. Kayla has turned three shades of red and is ready to kill.

“She’s a club girl.”

“She’s a piece of trash,” Kayla corrects.

“She’s been with Jack.” I shouldn’t care. He’s not mine. I don’t want a biker.

Kayla sighs but doesn’t deny it. Does everyone know? Of course, they do.

“I can’t do this.” I slide off the stool and rush to the kitchen. I’m not sure if I’m mad, hurt, or disgusted. Why choose? I can be all three.

Chapter 22

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Jack

Lily leans back against the counter with her arms crossed. She doesn’t look up when I enter the kitchen. She stares at absolutely nothing on the floor. Mom and Nana shrug and shake their heads. They don’t know what’s going on, but I do.

“Angel?” I take a cautious step toward her.

“Don’t call me that,” she snaps and turns her back to me.

Oh, somebody has a little spunk today. Where’s that been hiding? Trust me. I don’t mind. I can handle attitudes like this.

“Jack, why don’t you take Lily home?” Mom suggests. Her tone is warning me to be gentle.

“I can find it myself.” She pushes off the counter and takes two steps toward the door to the Den.

“Yeah. Still not happening.” I slide an arm around her waist and turn her toward the back door of the kitchen. “See ya later, Mom, Nana.”

“Bye,” they say at the same time.

This door opens at the lower end of the front parking lot. I walk her across the lot to my truck and open the passenger door.

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