Page 84 of Broken Skulls

“She won’t knife you right here,” I joke, giving her shoulder a little squeeze.

“She beat the shit out of a full-grown man in McDonalds.”

Hmm, she has a point. “Exactly why it’s better to work this out now,” I try to reason with her.

I give her a little push forward when we reach them. She stumbles but catches herself. “Hi, um, yeah, um, I was wondering if I could talk to Charlotte,” she stutters.

Petey raises his eyebrows, surprised Lexie approached them. Charlotte scratches her nose, looking to Katie for her response.

Katie learned from the master. She leans forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Depends.”

I roll my eyes. She’s not going to make this easy for Lexie.

“I know I don’t deserve an opportunity to speak to her. I … I just really want to apologize.”

Katie softens her stance, leaning back and wrapping her arm around her daughter’s shoulder. “Do you want to talk to Lexie?” she asks her.

Charlotte is a literal angel. Nobody can convince me of anything different. I’ve seen this child change hearts in this club, and I think she’s about to do it again.

“Kelsie already told me you were sorry,” she says to Lexie.

Lexie sits down across from her. “That was nice of her, but you should hear it from me. I’m sorry, Charlotte. I said a lot of mean things to you, and I’m not really sure why …” Lexie dropsher head. “That’s not true. I know why. I was jealous of you and Kelsie.”

“Why were you jealous? I don’t even have a boyfriend.”

Lexie chuckles sadly. “I was jealous of your family.” Her eyes dart up briefly to Petey and Katie.

“Okay, I forgive you. Do you forgive me for putting that itchy stuff in your shorts?” Charlotte asks.

This makes Lexie laugh and cry. “I deserved it.”

Charlotte leans over and whispers. “Do you have anyone who needs some itchy stuff in their underwear?” she asks Lexie.

“Charlotte,” Petey warns.

“What? She’s my friend now.”

Lexie wipes her eyes on her sleeve. Katie leans over and grabs her chin. “I admire you for walking over here today.”

I set my hand on her shoulder. “The auction is about to start. I need to get up front,” I tell her.

Petey waves me away. “Lexie can hang with us today. We could use a hand with the girls,” he says.

Lexie places both of her hands over her heart, releasing a little sob.

“And I need to show her the new bridge that Jackson and Elijah built us,” Charlotte adds before shoving a chip in her mouth.

“Alrighty then. Don’t leave Petey’s sight.”

Petey and I exchange a glance. He understands. She’s under the club’s protection now.

Jesse walks out with a plate placing it in front of Lexie. She looks at Elizabeth and me. “The food is inside when you guys are ready.”

Lexie stares at the plate in front of her.

“Oh, try the Frenchie fries,” Charlotte tells her, leaning over to tap her plate. “They have shaky stuff on them.”

Jesse laughs. “They have ranch seasoning on them.”

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