Page 30 of Chubs

I grin because I know who those seven men were. Good riddance. The world’s a better place with them no longer a part of it. I pick up my burner phone from the nightstand when it rings. Answering, I don’t have to look to see who the caller is since only one person has this number.

“You have a hand in that? What’s on the news?” the voice on the other end asks.

“Played a small part,” I answer and jealously listen to the sound of a potato chip bag being opened.

“Are you close yet?” my brother questions.

“Yeah. I’ll be busy for a few days, so if you don’t hear from me, don’t worry.”

“Aria’s worried about what’s been happening, but Mom’s solid. Aria may never forgive you. You know that, right?” my brother asks with concern in his voice.

“I know. I can’t change the past, so I’ll have to deal with it if she doesn’t,” I answer in a low voice.

“Deal with it? As close as you two were? You were inseparable! I think you’re underestimating her capacity for anger and the resentment she’ll feel at being left in the dark,” my brother warns. “She mourned your death, brother. We all did, but it nearly killed her. She hasn’t been the same since, and now to find out you were never dead?” my brother trails off.

Aria has been my biggest regret and knowing it changed her kills a part of me for real this time. Life is all about the choices you make, but I had few to choose from. Aria got caught in the crossfire, as did my mom and brother, and I’ve never stopped regretting that fact.

“I just hope we’re all alive in the end to argue about who was right and who was wrong,” I say.

“Yeah, me too. I’ve got to go. Talk later, brother,” my brother says before disconnecting.

Setting my phone down, I think of the challenges I’m facing in the next few days. I have to survive them because I have more life to live, far away from my current location. I have a lot of people to explain my decisions to and to beg for forgiveness from. One in particular, and that’s the one person who deserves everything I’ve got to give.

Standing, I pull on my jeans and hoodie, pulling it up to cover my head, grab the hotel keys and my wallet. Opening the door, I carefully search the parking lot for threats. Seeing none, I hustle down the stairs and to the vending machines I saw tucked into a corner under the balcony. Pulling cash from my wallet, I start the long process of buying enough snacks for a day or two.

Chapter 12

Lucy

I’m probably going to die today, so I don’t bother with makeup, and I barely brush my hair. I do make sure I have clean panties on because my mom, like all mothers, has warned me for years about dying while wearing dirty panties. I’m almost past caring about things like that, but I wouldn’t want to die and leave my mom disappointed that I didn’t heed her advice.

Walking into the clubhouse, I wave half-heartedly at those who greet me. Stopping next to Axel’s stool, I hold my hands out, knowing little Alexia will dive into them. A beautiful smile lights up her cute face, and she does as I expected. Cuddling her close, I almost smile at her little girl giggles.

“I’m giving you an extra minute this time, but don’t think that’s how it’s always going to be,” Axel tells me with a scowl.

Ignoring him, I walk off with his daughter and take a seat at a nearby table. Sitting Alexia on the table in front of me, I take her hands and examine her latest manicure. Obviously, one of the twins did the honors because she has fingernail polish nearly to the first knuckle.

“Very pretty!” I tell her as she preens a little.

Little Alexia is very much her father’s daughter.

“Hi, Lucy!” Mac screeches as he lands on the table next to Alex.

“Hey, Mac. You’re looking hot today,” I say, telling him what he wants to hear.

“True dat,” he responds while doing some of his own preening.

“You want to hang out with me and Tessie today?” I ask with a smirk.

“Why you hate me?” Mac squawks as I expected he would.

Looking closely, I notice he’s missing a few feathers, and some skin is peeking through.

“What happened to your feathers, Mac?” I ask.

“Prissy happened,” Axel answers with a grin as he takes a seat at my table.

“Go away, Assman!” Mac screams while shaking his wings in a threatening manner.

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