Page 90 of Collect the Pieces

“I know you’re serious.” I exhale a long breath. “Icouldbe insulted you think so low of me.”

Her jaw drops for a moment, then she shakes it off. “I think the best of you, and Iwantthe best for you, but?—”

“I’ve run my mouth a lot.”

She rolls her eyes and adds a head roll for dramatic effect. “A lot.”

I drop the joker act. “I like her, Shelby. More than any other woman I’ve ever known.” I wave my hands in front of me, trying to force my brain to shove the right words into my mouth. “I can actually see a future with her. Like, I can’t picturenothaving her in my life. Ever. That’s never happened to me before.”

“Awww.” Her forehead wrinkles like she’s about to burble baby talk to a fluffy puppy.

I lean down and keep my voice low. “I like her so much, I’m scared shitless she’s going to wake up one morning and realize she can do better than me.” I can’t believe out of all the people I could’ve admitted that to, it’s Shelby.

“Jiggy,” she sighs and wraps her arms around my middle, giving me a quick hug. “That’s not gonna happen. There’s no one better.”

“You just threatened to kick my ass,” I remind her.

“Well.” She pats my chest and tilts her chin up. “I apologize.”

“Not a fan of whatever’s going on here,” Rooster’s voice cuts in.

“Stop.” Shelby releases me and steps back. “We were just having a chat.”

I point at Shelby. “She threatened me with bodily harm.”

“Tattletale.” She smacks my side and gives me a playful scowl.

Rooster narrows his eyes at both of us, then shakes his head and focuses on Shelby. “Do I even want to know?”

Shelby grins, linking her arm through his. “You already know.”

Rooster nods, like they’d been up all night plotting what she wanted to say to me.

“I don’t like being the topic of your conversations,” I say.

Rooster snorts. “You’re really surprised? She’s been buzzing about this since your tarot reading.”

So glad I can provide entertainment for them. Shaking my head, I return to the bar, grabbing our coffees, a muffin, and a handful of cookies.

Iaminsulted Shelby thinks I might cheat on Margot. But I understand it.

If only she understood, infidelity isn’t what scares me.

What if Margot wakes up one day and realizes she’s made a mistake? That a man like me doesn’t fit into her life.

I’d never cheat on her. I’m in control of my dick. I care about Margot too much to ever hurt her like that.

It’s all the other darkness that lives inside me I’m worried about.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Margot

Sunday morning,the clubhouse is quieter. Jigsaw said most of the guys from downstate went home. Dex and Ravage went to work their shifts at Crystal Ball.

We say goodbye to Rooster and Shelby after breakfast. She hugs me extra tight, murmuring a promise to check in soon. I feel like I’ve actually made a friend this weekend and I’m sad to see her go.

In the living room, Teller, Charlotte, and their twins are sprawled on the sectional with Rock, Hope, and their daughter Grace.

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