Page 74 of Shadow

I looked at him. “Hey.”

“I’m glad you guys could make it,” he continued, taking a hit from his vape and blowing out a cherry scented smoke ring.

“Yeah, no problem.”

We both watched Stitches dance with Sirena. He was entirely too close to her for someone who was no longer her boyfriend. In the grand scheme of things, I knew it was all bullshit. She was his as much as he was hers. This wasn’t permanent, and either I swam with the sharks or was eaten by them.

“We miss her,” Ashes said suddenly.

“I know. She misses you guys, too.”

Ashes nodded. “Sin is getting better. He came out the last few nights for dinner. Will only do it though if Claws isn’t around. I guess it’s better than nothing.”

“Good. She said she was thinking about leaving.”

“She’s mentioned it to me, but it’s a bad idea. Church won’t allow it. As much as she’s a pain in the ass, we made a promise, and we’re going to keep it. For Sirena. Besides, you know how unsafe this place is.”

I nodded. I did know.

“So how is she?” he pressed.

“She’s…good. Seems sad sometimes, but I think she’s doing OK.”

He was quiet momentarily as the music changed and Stitches continued dancing with her.

“Malachi never dances,” Ashes mused softly. “It’s weird to see.”

I said nothing as I watched them.

Ashes cleared his throat. “How are you? With her?”

I shrugged. “We’re OK. I’m happy if that’s what you’re asking.”

“You know that’s not what I’m asking.”

“I’m not fucking her,” I said. “I haven’t. I won’t. I know how she feels about you guys and why she left. It was so Sin wouldn’t lose his shit. She didn’t want you guys to fall apart with him gone. This was her way of trying to save you because she loves you.”

“That’s what Church tells me,” he said. He was quiet again for a few minutes. “You two do look good together. I-I could get used to it.”

I finally looked over at him. “Really?”

He shrugged. “Yeah. Eventually. If it means she comes back and Sin gets his shit together, then yeah. But I’d say yes anyway because I want her happiness. If it’s you, so be it.”

“I still haven’t proved myself,” I muttered.

“You’re on the way,” he said, clapping me on the shoulder. “Give it time. It’s all any of us can do. We need to get shit sorted before Spring because once the snow is gone, I’m taking my girl on my motorcycle.”

“It’ll be fixed by then,” I said solemnly. “I want everyone together, too.”

He gave me a quick smile. “I’m going to make sure Church isn’t cutting Danny Linley. I saw he’s here.”

“Good luck,” I said as Ashes waved me off and disappeared into the crowd.

The guys seemed more relaxed. Quiet, even.

I found that confusing.

I stood awkwardly in the kitchen area, not knowing what to do. Deciding that having a drink was in order, I went out to the back patio and got myself a red plastic glass of beer. I leaned against the railing and stared at the lake for a long time. In fact, I’d drunk down three glasses before someone moved to stand next to me.

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