Page 83 of Blue

Guys were already hanging around the oil drum. Rogue and Bullet stopped off, but I headed inside.

Sully and Murph played cards with Steele and Vega. I waved on my way to the pool table and approached Cruz.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“Not much.” I plopped down on the sofa along the wall. I couldn’t count how many nights I’d slept off my drunk right here. After meeting Kiss, knowing she struggled with her vices, I’d given mine up. Right now, I wanted a fucking shot of Jack and a beer chaser.

But I only had an hour.

“Not what I heard.” McKelle leaned over the table and lined up her shot. A tight tank top clung to her tits, and big gold hoops dangled from her ears. Her lips twisted into a smile as she pulled the stick back and took her shot. Balls cracked, a couple splitting and dropping into the side and corner pockets.

“What have you heard?” I was getting tired of hearing mine and Kiss’s name in everyone’s mouth.

She smirked her pouty pink lips and lined up her next shot. “Do you want the highlights or the dirty details?” She sank another ball, then leaned against the table.

Cruz sat next to me. “Girls can’t not talk.”

McKelle rolled her eyes. “I was at the table when Jazzy and Hana were talking about Kiss. You know I’mteasing, and you know Hana. She’s happy you’re getting your dick wet.”

I leaned my head back and groaned.

“How’s she doing?” Cruz’s voice was low and laced with concern.

I sat straight. Cruz had seen her broken, and he’d gotten his hands dirty for me. Trusting him was easy. “Most days, she’s good. She’s at a meeting.”

McKelle sidled around to our side of the pool table.

“They found a dead drug dealer over by Kane’s trailer,” Cruz said, confirming the cops had found Sam.

My heart jackhammered in my chest. “Any rumors on who it is or what happened?”

Cruz pulled a cigarette from his pocket. “No one we know. The guy died of an overdose. Cops had yellow tape around the trailer.”

McKelle paused in taking her shot and turned to Cruz. “You were at Kane’s? Don’t lie to me.”

Cruz exhaled and gruffed. “Fuck.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I stopped by. No big deal.”

She dropped the stick on the table. “You’re full of shit.Youdon’t just stop by Shady Valley trailer park. You get high, and you hook up with your whore.”

“Hayley wasn’t even there.” He splayed his hands wide. “I haven’t fucked around on you since the last time.”

“Fuck you.” She stomped down the steps.

“I didn’t even see Hayley.” He spoke low so only I would hear him. “Fuck, dude, we left a dead dealer in a bathtub. I wanted to check in with Kane.” He stared at McKelle as she crossed the room and sat with Stormy, Brenna, and a couple of other girls.

“You’re fucking stupid,” I said. “You’re going to lose the best thing that ever happened to you.”

“Fuck.” He stood, went after her, and headed to the back of the MC. I’d seen this show before. He’d fuck the fight out of her.

I made my way to Sully’s table and pulled out a chair.

“Looks like I’m losing a roomie,” he said to me. “I talked to Pike this morning. You got your own room here now, but I wanted you to know you don’t have to go. Not yet. I think Shae still needs you close.” His gaze locked on mine.

“You know?” If she couldn’t come to the club, I didn’t want to be here. I didn’t want to be here now. But I hated the thought of sitting at home alone waiting for her. Same shit she must have been feeling. It made me understand why she’d rather be at meetings and hanging around with other recovering addicts.

He gave a slight nod. “I don’t agree with the decision, but I ain’t making the rules for the club. Blade won’t budge on this.”

I rubbed a bit of engine grease from my knuckles. “It’s fucking with my head.”

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