Page 101 of Blue

He stepped to the side, and I slid behind the wheel. Blue followed me to Sully’s. Once there, I found a backpack in the closet and stuffed it with a change of clothes for both of us. I didn’t know how it would go. Probation left a lot of gray area. I didn’t care if we decided to stay the night or come back here as long as we were together.

Ten minutes later, I’d changed into a hoodie, and we were back on the bike. This time, instead of adrenaline, apprehension slipped through my veins. And when werode through the gates, I realized I’d gotten into a much bigger situation than I’d anticipated.

There were dozens of bikes lining the front of the church. Sparks snapped and flames rose from the oil drum. Boisterous laughter from at least a dozen guys filled the night air. Barrels, converted into barbecue smokers, grilled meat and vegetables.

Blue linked our hands as we walked toward the main doors to the church. I tried to tamp down the nervous energy firing through me.

With the doors propped open, music filtered out of the chapel. Inside, there were Hellers, prospects, and hang-arounds all drinking and laughing.

Blue paused just inside and scanned the crowd. I was overwhelmed, overdressed, and bumbling with the backpack. Sweat dampened my back because I felt everyone’s stare even though I couldn’t say anyone was really looking at me.

Blue weaved us through the tables, stepping up to the platform with the pool table. Pike and Brenna were in the corner with several other people. Kodiak sat on the couch with one of Bullet’s girls. His gaze tracked me across the room making insecurity knot in my stomach.

At some point my past was going to collide with my present. For now, all I could do was pretend that I belonged here as much as he did despite our history with the Crawlers.

Cruz bumped Blue’s fist. “Everything good?”

Blue gave a single nod. “We should get a table.”

Cruz tipped his beer to his lips. “Good luck with that.”

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the far corner of the room. Willow cuddled a baby against her chest as she gently bounced and paced. I couldn’t remember thelast time I’d seen Bear. He sat next to Romeo. Jazzy and Rogue were at the table with Shannon, Romeo’s mom.

Blade checked his phone, stood, and made his way to the boardroom with Dozer, Romeo, and Torch. Rogue leaned into Jazzy and whispered something into her ear. Her brows furrowed as she slowly stood, and they followed Blade.

I tugged on Blue’s cut. “Rogue’s talking to Jazzy. Does that mean the board is going to vote?”

Blue glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “Right now, they’ll vote on whether they bring the vote to the members or if they’ll make the decision as a board.” Blue turned to Cruz and explained how the Hellers voted.

Prospects becoming full patched members was the only vote that required a hundred percent agreement by every patched member. Everything else, the board decided whether or not to get the full agreement of the club.

“Want to play?” McKelle asked and handed me a stick.

I laughed. “I’m better at axe throwing.” I hadn’t played pool in a long time, not since before I left for the wilderness rehab. Back when Romeo and I would get high and play.

I glanced over my shoulder at Levi. Even from here, I could hear her laugh. When they said not everything broken could be fixed, this was what they meant. With everyone important in my life, I’d burned bridges like an arsonist.

Blue’s grip on my hip tightened, and my tummy fluttered with butterflies. I took strength from his touch.

“I’ll play.” I curled my fingers around the smooth wood of the stick. I could hit a ball into a pocket. I justtended to hit any ball, not just the solids or stripes to get me the win.

McKelle flipped her hair, leaned over the table, and racked the balls. “We won’t play for points. Stripes are a dare. Solids are truth.”

“I think we should play doubles,” I said with a smirk.

McKelle popped a hip. “Are you trying to handicap my game? Cruz only knows how to play with one kind of balls.”

Cruz leapt off the rail, grabbed McKelle, and kissed her dirty. “I’ve been good. The only balls I’ve played with have been my own.”

Blue laughed, and McKelle snorted.

“Already telling lies,” she said to him. “You better hope for stripes.” She stepped to the side and arched a brow as she smiled at me. “Good girls break.”

Blue laughed and pulled me into his arms. “My good girl doesn’t break,” he whispered in my ear. “She’s strong as fuck and beautiful.”

“And she wants stripes,” I said about myself. Then I turned and spoke to Cruz. “Because I think you have some juicy truths.” I leaned over the table, lined up the shot, and hit the cue ball. Balls clanked, spun, and banked off the rails. But none went into the pockets.

A loud cheer erupted from the far side of the room.

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