Page 45 of Gash

“I’ll get everythingresolved for you to come and stay with us, okay?”

“Yes.”

****

Sally made her way out toward the back ofAngel and Lash’s house.She was the oldest of all of the kids, andeven though she wasn’t blood to the club, they treated her like shewas.This was the first time she’d ever been part of a family, andwith both Lacey and Whizz, Sally was able to heal.

There had been so many homes, so muchabuse, some physical, some sexual, and a lot of mental.

Running fingers through her hair, she tooka deep breath.She loved being outside.There were times she wouldbe locked in her room, and at some of the foster homes, they hadbars on the windows.

She loved the outdoors.

Closing her eyes, she lifted her face tothe sky and inhaled.There was no greater feeling than beingoutside, inhaling deep, and being relaxed.

“Penny for yourthoughts.”

She turned around, opening her eyes tofind Steven leaning against the door, his arms folded as he staredat her.Sally hadn’t even heard him leave the house.

“I didn’t know you werehere.”

“I’m here to watch over you guyswhile Lash and Angel deal with Daisy.”

“You’re not aprospect.”

She folded her own arms, fighting offthe cold.

Steven sighed.“You’re going to killyourself if you don’t cover up.”He removed his leather jacket andmoved toward her.He placed the jacket over her shoulders.“I don’twant you getting cold.”

“Thank you.”

She pushed her arms through his, and thescent of him surrounded her.Her cheeks started to heat, and sheturned away from him.The last thing she wanted him to know wasthat she liked him.Steven was really sweet to her.She’d seen himwith other women, and he was never sweet to them.

“I could have taken care ofeveryone,” she said.

“You could, and you’ll be makinglunch for us all.You belong to the club, Sally, and I protect whatbelongs to The Skulls.”

Nodding, she wouldn’t look athim.In all of her life she’d never once had a crush onanyone.Steven was the first man that she’d ever felt anything for.He was older than she was by fifteen years, and she wouldn’t everact on her feelings.He probably only saw her as a stupidkid.

“Are you okay, Sally?”heasked.

“Yeah, why?”

“You’re quiet.”

“I’m just enjoying thefresh air.”

“Do you have any homeworkto do?”

“No.”Glancing over hershoulder, she smiled at him.“I’m good.”

He nodded, and turned to go inside tothe kitchen.The moment he left, her heart felt heavy.She didn’tunderstand it.

Steven was just a guy, and she wasn’tgoing to let her feelings for him get in the way.

****

Closing the door, Steven hesitated.Sallywas different.When she first was adopted by Lacey and Whizz, she’dbeen closed off, but once he proved to her that he wouldn’t hurther, she’d opened up.Now once again, she was closedoff.

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