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“I’m sorry, this may ping a little,” she warns.

Rhea lets out a little laugh through her tears at Dixie’s mix up before she quickly hisses in pain, followed by her body tensing.

“Shh, it’s okay darlin’, I’ve got you,” I say, trying to soothe her. Dixie tends to her injuries, while Star and Dixie go and get her some fresh loose clothing, only they come back with a bottle of whiskey.

“Drink this,” Star says as she hands her the bottle.

Rhea shakes her head. “Thanks, but I don’t really drink liquor,” she declines.

“Well, if there was ever a time to drink, it’s now. Don’t worry about the kid. He is living his best life shooting zombies with Bambi. Now, I don’t know about you, but the pain you’re in right now, the shit you’ve been through... If it was me, I would want nothing more than to get completely wasted and forget for one night. If that’s not your thing, then you do you. Whatever makes you feel happy. So, I will ask again. Fancy a drink?” Star asks, offering the bottle again. Rhea smiles and takes the bottle, downing a large gulp. Star smiles. “Come on, let’s make you forget,” she says, holding out her hand to Rhea.

CHAPTER TWO

RHEA

My body hurts—everyinch of it—but at this moment in time, I don’t care. For the first time in what feels like forever, I am not worried, scared, or looking over my shoulder wondering if he will ever appear. Tonight, I am carefree. Tonight, I will forget.

“Call her,” Star demands. “Ask her why she left so early,” Star presses.

“Nah, she will lose her mind,” Rose says, shaking her head.

“Do it. Come on, it will be fun. She should be here,” Star presses.

“Fine, but if she starts handing me my arse, I’m handing the phone to you. My sister can be a mean grumpy bitch if you wake her,” Rose warns as she presses call on her cell. She pauses, putting it on speaker.

“What?” Lily, her sister, answers.

“That’s not very nice,” Rose snaps.

“Well, what do you expect when you call me at like 2 in the morning!” Lily snaps back.

“You’re very awake for 2 am. You getting some dick?” Rose snorts, laughing.

“Rose! For fuck’s sake. If you must know, yes, I am. Now if you could piss off so I can enjoy it!” Lily yells down the phone. Star is laughing and I wince, trying to contain mine.

“Well, you could have just ignored my call, or switched your phone off,” Rose argues. She turns to Star. “I think we know why she left early,” she whispers, trying to hide her laughter to Star.

“I thought it was an emergency,” Lily sighs down the phone.

“Hey, Blake,” Rose calls out. We hear a deep male laugh in the background.

“You go ride that cowboy!! Catch you later, skin and blister!” Rose sings before disconnecting.

Star laughs. “We should go out and hit a bar,” she suggests.

“Woman, it is 2 am. No bar around here is open that late,” Ghost yells at her from the other side of the bar.

“How did he hear that?” I ask astounded.

“Oh, he can hear anything I say that is either something he thinks will get me in trouble, or if I compliment another man. Watch this,” she says before she leans over the back of the couch, catching the attention of one of the younger guys; a prospect is what I think they call them. He walks over and bends down to hear what she wants. “You are looking mighty fine tonight Tiny,” she compliments. Why the hell he is called Tiny I will never know, because he is huge!

“I suggest you back the fuck away from my woman right fucking now, before I put a bullet in your head!” Ghost threatens. The prospect quickly moves away. “And darlin’, stop teasing the fucking prospects and testing my patience. You know what will happen if you piss me off,” he warns.

I look at Star who is smiling ear to ear. “You going to chase me?” she teases.

“That depends on if you are going to run away from me,” he states as he strides across the bar to where Star is sat. He placeshis hands on the back of the couch on either side of her head. She looks up at him, a smile playing on her lips.

“Nah baby, I won’t run. My legs are tired. You don’t mind if I rest them on your shoulders, do you?” she asks.

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