Page 69 of Through The Woods

He walked around to the head of the table and addressed them. “Listen up, Neve here was thinking she should take down the signs before the other clubs arrive. Thoughts?”

PD shook his head. “They stay.” He’d been using his Neti Pot faithfully and I hadn’t heard him sneeze since. He was much more pleasant to be around; although that might’ve had more to do with me bumping into Ali as she snuck out of his room one early morning last week.

Rooster gave me a cocky grin. “Stay.”

Joker held his thumb and pinky out in a Y handshape before shoving his knuckles forward and down.

Stay.

Guardrail raised an O’Doul’s in a toast to me. “I like ‘em.”

Twitch fingered a chain around his neck and my heart skipped a beat at the sight of the medallion hanging from the end of it. “The kid’s stuff stays.”

Doc pinched his lower lip between his thumb and forefinger, lost in thought. He looked like he’d done more than just hang out with the smoker—I wasn’t even sure how he was remaining upright. “I vote they stay,” he said, with a slight slur.

Gunner sat silently at the end of the table. I knew there was no way in hell that he’d be on my side. He cleared his throat and looked around the room. “Well, Neve. I’ll say what no one else has the balls to—” I cringed. “The signs class this shithole up. I say they stay.”

Charm nodded. “Looks like it’s unanimous. You better get those two rehung and then get ready for the party.”

The men cleared out to finish setting up and Joker retreated back into the kitchen, while I stood in disbelief with the signs in my hand.

Had Gunner been abducted by aliens?

That was the only explanation for the complete one eighty he’d just done.

“Neve.” The voice was soft.

I held my hand up. “Just a second, Gunner. I’m trying to determine if you’ve been body snatched.”

He smirked at me, but his eyes were shiny. He tried to cover it up by running his hands through his hair. “You know there’s no motherfuckin’ way that aliens would even think about crossing me.”

I smiled. That sounded like Gunner.

He cupped my face in his hands and my eyes widened. This was definitely not Gunner.

“Neve, I saw what you did—in my room. No one’s ever—that picture—honoring Cody like that?” He got choked up and paused. “Let’s just say you’re not a complete pain in the ass.”

If I would’ve known that enlarging a photograph of him and a Marine buddy was the way to his heart, I would’ve done it day one. He might as well have told me that he wanted me to have his babies. My mouth was near the floor and he kept my face gripped in his hands before leaning in and pressing a rough kiss to my forehead.

“Thanks.”

By the time I remembered to respond with a weak “You’re welcome,” he was already gone again. A river flowed from my eyes as I rehung the two pictures and, after being assured that Joker had the kitchen under control, I went upstairs to shower.

I let the hot water knead my sore muscles for as long as I could stand it before towel drying off and getting to work on my hair and face. I hadn’t worn any of the makeup I got at the store. I hadn’t worn anything since the afternoon that Amber came over. There just hadn’t seemed to be any point to it with me cooking and cleaning all day.

I wiped the steam from the mirror and smiled at the girl in the reflection. Almost three months of taking care of myself had done wonders. I’d put on some much-needed weight and my face no longer looked skeletal.

I was damn proud of the woman I was becoming, even if I’d endured Hell to get here.

I took my time applying makeup and blow-drying my hair until it hung in loose waves down my back. Amber had told me that these gatherings were a big deal, so I wanted to look my best.

Once satisfied that I’d mastered the beauty aspect, I pulled the dress out of the back of my closet. I’d gone into Pearl’s Treasures with plans to find a nice blouse, but when I’d told her that it was for the barbecue, she led me over to the dresses and began gathering them up by the armful.

“Let’s get you a dressing room started.”

She had me try on only one. When I slipped on the vintage halter dress, we both agreed it was perfect. It featured large white polka dots on red material. The bust was white, with cherries and red skulls across it. It was low-cut, but for a biker gathering, I’d fit right in. The best part was that it came down to my knees, so none of my scars showed.

I smiled as I slipped it off the hanger and stepped into it. I was going to match the guys with their flaming skulls. Pearl had tried to talk me into a pair of vintage red pumps, but with it being an outdoor party, I settled on a pair of red flip flops instead.

---