Page 51 of Choices

Voices prick my ears the farther along the fence I get. If Green is out here fucking, I’m going to…

The thought dissipates at Rogue’s silhouette. She’s standing with Monster by the outhouse, appearing deep in conversation.

My curiosity piques, and I debate approaching, but before I can decide, Monster turns, staring straight at me like some paranormal being. Fucker looks like a werewolf. He probably sniffed me out.

Rogue follows his path, clutching her chest. “Jesus, Kit.” She blows out a breath, her nervous laugh sounding forced. “You scared me. What are you doing out here?” Her tight jeans hug her butt and dip at the waist, revealing her toned, tanned midriff. Her red shirt has a heart cut out on the chest, flashing a tease of cleavage. Auburn locks flow down her back and shape her pretty face. She’s so beautiful. I bet her and Callan’s kids will be gorgeous. I’ll probably like theirs. I’ll kind of have to.

Twitching the leash, I say, “Walking my cat.” I gesture to him and frown. “What are you doing out here?”

“Some air,” Rogue says as Monster says, “None of your business.”

Slapping his arm, Rogue shakes her head, laughing that fake, forced laugh again. “I came out for some air. Monster saw me leave and wanted to check on me.”

What a load of shit. When the hell did she become comfortable enough around Monster to slap him playfully and be out here in the dark with him, all secretive?

Part of me wants to throw my hands up and say whatever, but the other part, the side that told Claire to fuck off, has other plans. “If you don’t want to say then don’t, but don’t lie to my face, Rogue. I thought we were past secrets.”

Scooping up Keg, I don’t wait around for another lie.

“What do you think we’re doing, dry fucking with three feet between us?” Monster calls out loud enough for me to hear.

Them fucking didn’t cross my mind. I don’t really give a shit what they’re doing, but hearing the fabrication roll off Rogue’s tongue stings. She promised me no more lies after I discovered where she came from.

Skirting around the building, I pickup my pace, the hum of laughter and chatter growing louder. Floodlights at the front of the building offer a clear view of partygoers mingling, talking, and dancing to the pulse of music seeping through the open door to the bar. Dodger is inside the boxing ring, attempting to teach Maggie how to throw a punch. Her hands are tiny, and she keeps squealing any time he bounces around her. He’d probably have a better shot at teaching Keg.

“Can I stroke your pussy?” a curvy brunette purrs as I pass her, her tongue swiping out and wiggling with insinuation.

“No, it’s hostile.” I chomp my teeth at her, and she cackles with laughter.

I slip inside, the party still in full swing. As happy as I am for Tim—it’s Chris now—and want to congratulate him, the way we left things was awkward. Seeing me might ruin his buzz.

I survey the room, searching for him anyway, and come up empty. Maybe he’s celebrating with someone else. Now that he’s earned his patch, all the club sluts will be throwing themselves at him. I wait for a swell of jealousy to rear up inside me, but there’s nothing.

“Kitty!” Green hollers from across the bar, maneuvering himself through the bodies until he’s in front of me. “You owe me a game.” His words slur, and he stinks of piss.

“I’m busy right now. Maybe later.” I try to move around him without making contact with any part of his body but he steps into my space clumsily, tripping over my leg, propelling his lanky frame straight through a table. Drinks fly, and brothers leap to their feet.

“What the fuck?” a particularly mean bastard, Hammer, yells, grabbing Green by the collar of his tee and yanking him up. The scene descends into chaos, everyone shouting something different. Usually, I’m all for pandemonium, but I have Keg, so I skim the crowd, groaning when I catch a glimpse of my dad with some naked slut grinding on his lap.

Shifting down the hallway, I head for the kitchen, halting when my brother’s imposing frame stops in front of me, his broad shoulders almost touching the dark walls on either side of us. “You seen Rogue?”

Crap. Do I lie? I know she won’t be doing anything with Monster. It’s not like I need to cover her ass.Would I if she was?

“No.” I pinch my lips and shake my head.

He raises a dark brow, shifting from foot to foot. “She said she was going to find you.”

Well, she lied.“I guess she hasn’t yet.”

Tension leaks into his posture, straightening his back, a worry line cutting across his forehead.

“She probably went for some air. Don’t be that guy.”

“What guy?”

“The one who needs to keep tabs on their woman twenty-four-seven.” I huff.

“Are you forgetting our history?” he asks incredulously.

---