Page 140 of Scatter the Bones

I jog across the lot, hurrying to her side.

“You need help?” My gaze darts from the bag in the SUV to the baby in her arms. I reach for the bag.

Her face lights up. “Oh my God, Jiggy. You don’t know how happy I am to see you.” She takes a step back to give me room. “Is Gray here?”

“You just missed him. Z and your ol’ man ran over to the laundromat. Said they’d be back in ten.”

The corners of her mouth pull down. Just a little. Does she think I’m lying? Covering for Grinder while he taps some club ass? Nah, she knows better.

“I told him I was on my way back,” she says, adjusting Lincoln against her chest.

“They’re not supposed to be gone long.” I glance at the full cargo area. “All that stuff coming in too?”

She gives me an apologetic half shrug. “It can wait.” She hoists Lincoln higher in her arms and leans closer, rubbing her nose against his cheek. “My little chunk’s getting heavy.”

“He definitely looks well-fed.”Oh shit, she’s gonna think I’m insulting her kid or worse that I’m referring to the lactation porn Stella suggested last night.

But Serena laughs. “Oh, yes he is,” she coos.

“How’ve you been, sweetheart? I barely got to talk to you last night.”

“I’m good. I had fun getting to know Margot better.” Her lips curve in a knowing smile. “You two disappeared on us early.”

Another way those girls ruined things for Margot. The whole point was for Margot to get to know the other ol’ ladies better, not hear lies and half-truths from bitter club girls with big mouths.

“She liked hanging with you too,” I say. “She’s looking forward to seeing you this morning.”

She blows out a relieved breath. “Oh, good.”

“Some of the girls hassled her,” I explain, reaching into the back to grab a folded-up playpen and two giant tote bags.“Between that and Stella, I figured she’d had enough for one night.” I slam the tailgate closed.

“Don’t blame you.” She walks ahead of me, shaking her long, blond ponytail off her shoulder. “I’m leaving some of that here in our room so I can stop schlepping it back and forth. I left my other travel stuff at Emily’s place since we’ve been staying there when the club’s on a run.”

“You know Grinder’s grumpier than usual when he’s away from you for more than an hour, right?”

Serena blushes and shakes her head. “I know.”

She reaches the clubhouse doors first and opens one for me. I motion for her to go in first, but she pauses, glancing over her shoulder.

“I like Margot,” she says quietly. “A lot. She’s really sweet. I think she’s a great match for you.”

You have no idea.I nod once. “Agreed.”

She smiles wider. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks.”

She pushes the door open wider and steps through, holding it long enough for me to follow.

Margot

Not even the scent of freshly brewing coffee wafting through the hallway could drag me out of our room this morning. Not until Jigsaw returns.

He promised those girls would be gone but I’m not taking any chances.

I don’t want to face anyone else yet. Not Serena, or even Shelby. I’m not ready to see his brothers, either. Surely by now Jigsaw’s told all of them about last night. So now they’ll all know that when Margot comes to a club party, trouble follows.

While Jigsaw’s gone, I take a long shower. I packed all my favorite curly hair products to bring with me this weekend and spend time drying and shaping my hair into long, glossy curls. Ibrought lots of hair products but not much makeup. Part of me longs to run across the hall and ask Serena for help. But I’m too embarrassed.

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