Page 102 of Broken Skulls

Jacob told me it’s just a small family dinner. Dan and Lily’s twins are back on break. They also have a shooting range, and we’re all going to go out after supper. I guess I’m okay with that, but it makes me a little nervous too.

I’ve noticed Jacob has increasingly been checking our surroundings while we are out. Maybe it’s how he’s always been, living the club life. He’s told me many stories about the crazy stuff that has happened over the years.

I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing mind. My world was confined inside my own head for so many years that I think I still get a little over stimulated. I’m safe. I’m happy. I’m loved. There is nothing to worry about.

He pauses on the steps. “Hey.” His head dips to capture my eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

His hand wraps around the back of my head. “Don’t apologize. If you want to go home, we can.”

“I don’t want you to miss your family time.”

“Our family time,” he corrects. “Just give my hand a squeeze if it gets to be too much and we’ll leave. Okay?”

“Oh! I almost forgot Lily’s gift.”

I rush back to his bike, and he jogs after me.

“I’ll get it,” he says, pushing me aside gently. “Are you sure you want to give it to her?”

My head nods off my shoulders. “Yes! I owe her something for the necklace. I know this isn’t the same but …”

He hands me the little box, interrupting me. “She’ll love it.”

On cue, Lily steps out of the house. “I thought I heard someone pull in. Get your tushies in here.” She waves for us to go to her with both hands.

The minute Jacob is standing on the porch, she pulls him into her arms. “I’ve missed you, friend.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbles.

My heart takes a nosedive right into the pit of my stomach. I’m the reason she’s missed him. It doesn’t last long though, because she releases Jacob and turns toward me.

“Come here, you,” she says excitedly, jumping on the balls of her feet.

Her arms wrap around me, pulling me close. Her hair smells like bubble gum, and for some reason it relaxes me.

She holds me at arm’s length. “You look amazing. Not that you weren’t beautiful before, but …”

“You can thank the sun,” Jacob says.

I laugh lightly, dropping my head.

Lily drapes her arm around my shoulder, ushering me inside. “I’m sure the sun helped, but she looks like a well-loved woman.”

“Lily,” Jacob groans on my behalf.

Kelsie hops out of her seat at the table. “Yay! You came!” she exclaims, pulling me from her mother’s grasp. “Come sit by me.”

She pushes a young man who is as big as Dan out of the chair beside her. “Move, butthead,” she tells him.

He looks up at her. “Make me.”

Big Dan walks into the room. He snaps his fingers at the young man, and he instantly moves.

“Thanks, Dad,” Kelsie says before sticking her tongue out at who I am now assuming is her brother.

An old man chuckles across the table from us as we sit down. “Welcome to our happy home,” he jokes. “I’m Ray, Dan’s father.”

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