Page 28 of Greased

The rest of the girls come over and we each give each other a hug in congratulations. Even Rippy, which comes at a surprise to me.

“Not too shabby Australia,” she says with an approving nod of her head, “we will come find you once Rhodes is done making the rounds.” There’s a strange look on her face that I don’t quite understand, but I just smile and nod in response, shrugging it off and turn back to Rhodes.

Rhodes takes me over to the two other guys he was with in the crowd.

“Boys, this is my sister Scarlett. Scarlett, the blonde is Wyatt and the big dickhead beside him is Jethro,” he says with a smirk. Said dickhead, punches Rhodes in the arm and curses him out under his breath.

“They have been training with me as my right-hand men. Jethro was to be my Vice and Wyatt my enforcer. Now that you are stepping back into the role, you obviously have the right to choose who you want, but I would love for you to consider the boys.”

He pauses briefly. There’s a sadness and a pinch of anger in his face. I know how much it meant to him to one day become President of the Thunderbirds. He’s been working hard for it. I already asked Dadif he was able to keep his position even if I was to come back, but unfortunately it just doesn’t work like that.

“I’ll definitely consider it.” I give them all a big smile trying to reassure him. There’s an obvious relief in Rhodes knowing I’m not going to instantly let them go as he sighs. He picks up a glass of brown liquor and throws it back.

“Come on, let’s go introduce you to everyone else.”

By the time we have done the rounds of nearly the entire room, I feel like I’ve met more people than I knew back home. Never have I felt as overwhelmed as I do right now. While everyone was kind and incredibly welcoming, I've felt inundated with new faces. People hugging me with tears in their eyes and telling me they are glad I’m home.

There was an expectation in the eyes of the people I had apparently known before. Like they expected me to just remember them instantly. The look of disappointment on their faces sent a sharp pain through my chest.

It hurts to not remember. Not for the first time have I tried to push the memory but the stabbing pain in the back of my mind reminds me just how bad of an idea it is. It won’t work, no matter how determined I am. There’s no thread to pull on. The memories don’t exist inside me anymore.

We take a quick break from the introductions for a while and head to the bar. I’m glad for the break, needing five minutes just to sit down and breathe. I consider making an escape for the front door but with the way Rhodes is hovering, I don’t think I will be escaping his clutches anytime soon.

“My girl, that was incredible!” Shelly yells out as she drops down two Captain Morgan in front of Rhodes and I. “I just saw Dakes and the boys over by one of the booths. Make sure you take her over there Rhodes.” Shelly gives my brother a stern look.

He nods. “Yes ma’am.’’

She rolls her eyes at him before chuckling, “You little shit. Don’t forget that I used to change your diapers young man.”

“Thanks for the reminder, Shelly,” he grumbles, throwing back the drink she sat down in front of us. I sip mine slowly, allowing the relief of the alcohol to take hold.

After we are done with our drinks, we slowly get up but come to a stop as we see Brandy, Jan, Rippy and Maxie headed our way.

“Hey girl, having fun?” Maxie laughs as Rhodes staggers slightly. I give him a questioning look. He must have had more to drink than I thought. He gives me a reassuring smile as he collects himself but I don’t buy it for a moment.

“A little overwhelmed but that is to be expected,” I laugh, answering the girls.

“Come on then, are you ready for your surprise?” Rippy says as she sticks her hands into her pink leather jacket, turning around nodding for us to follow. I’m left with little option as I follow behind them.

Brandy begins fixing my hair quickly as we walk through the crowd. I can’t even begin to imagine the kind of state it is in after being on stage. Ignorance is bliss, I guess.

We eventually stop at one of the booths on the other side of the room. I don’t stand a chance at even trying to hear the conversation the other girls are having with whoever they have stopped to talk to. The three of them are acting like a wall. That and Brandy is still busy fluffing around with my hair. She has also procured a compact powder from fuck knows where and begins patting it onto my face.

“Jesus Brandy, anyone would think I’m about to meet the Hemsworth brothers,” I laugh.

“Close enough,” She says with a wink, a cheeky smile sits firm on her face. I begin to give her a suspicious look.

Before I can question what she means by that, a hand grabs me around the arm and I’m pulled through the girls.

I give a sharp glare at Rippy who grabbed me.

“What the fuck Rippy?”

Her smirk is sinister as she lets go of my arm and nods her head.

I turn my gaze from hers to face the people she was talking to and my heart all but falls through my ass.

Scarlett Smith has all but left the building.

---