Page 16 of The Secrets We Keep

“Eric has to sign some paperwork for his baby mama,” he mutters with an eyeroll.

Eric was once a member of our charter, but after causing enough problems, John told him to choose a charter to patch over to or leave the club for good. Eric chose our Tennessee charter, where things are a bit more lenient. The prick left his child and ex in North Carolina, though.

“Hopefully Charolette is having him sign over his parental rights,” I mutter.

“If she’s smart, she is,” he mutters.

“Tell the prospects to set up rooms for them and to order enough pizzas for everyone tonight,” I tell him.

“No problem, pres,” Axel murmurs before leaving me to my breakfast. And my thoughts of Sophie.

12

SOPHIE

I pull myself closer to Grayson’s back, my cheek pressing firmly into the Sovereign Sons emblem on his cut. He’s been a member of the club since he got his driver’s license, but he promised me that he has no desire to be a ranking member of the club. This is enough for him.

His football scholarship wouldn’t let him, anyways. He’ll be heading for Alabama in the fall, and I’m desperate to follow him there. I’ve applied to three culinary schools near Tuscaloosa, but I haven’t heard anything back yet.I know that he won’t be leaving me behind, though.

We pull into the clubhouse parking lot and Grayson helps me off his bike. The second I’m standing, he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close, he leans down, and his mouth collides with mine. Grayson’s kiss is slow and sensual, making me forget every last thought in my head. When we break apart, we breathe each other in, our noses pressed together.

Raucous laughter draws our attention to the clubgarage. My father stands there with a few of the members, but my attention slides to the man beside him. James is the new president of the Tennessee charter of Sovereign Sons. He and my father are close. Usually, that would already make me uneasy. But the way he’s looking at me makes my stomach sour.

Grayson feels my body tense. He pulls me close and wraps a protective arm around me. He follows my line of sight and sees the way that James is looking at me. I feel his body stiffen beside me.

“Let’s go inside, baby,” he murmurs softly. “I don’t fucking like that guy.”

A pan falling to the floor in the kitchen draws me out of my daydream. I find myself thinking of Grayson more and more these days. Not only in my sleep, but all day.

My first shift at Betsy’s Diner has been pretty damn great. I’ve waitressed before, but none of the restaurants have been like this one. Every customer has been kind and considerate. The tips have been great and so has Flo, not that I’m surprised. She’s a godsend. I wish everyone was like her. Even though I wasn’t excited about waitressing again, I think I’m going to like this job.

I’m busy clearing the tables from our lunch rush when the door dings. I don’t bother looking up since Flo is standing at the front counter but can feel the air change. When I look up, I find three Sovereign Sons members walking over to one of my booths. Theirpatches say that they’re from the Tennessee chapter, but I don’t see any of their faces so I’m not sure if I know any of them.

I take a steadying breath and take the dirty dishes back to the kitchen, dropping them off with our dishwasher, Saul, before heading back out to wipe down the tables. When I’m done, I head over to the booth to take their orders.

“Hi guys, what can I get for you?” I ask without making eye contact.

“Three coffees, darlin’,” one of the men answers.

“Great,” I reply while setting down three menus. “I’ll be right back.”

I walk over to the countertop where Flo is waiting with a fresh pot of coffee and three mugs. I smile gratefully at her and grab the tray to take to the men. When I set it down, I avoid eye contact still, hoping the men won’t recognize me. They order their food, and I slink away to the kitchen to wait for it to be ready. When Richard dings the bell, I put their plates on a tray and sigh before heading out to face them.

“Here we go, guys,” I say as I put their plates in front of them, eager to step away again. “Anything else I can get you?”

“Actually, we could use some more coffee.”

I nod and grab the pot, taking the tray back to Saul and then waiting at the front counter until Flo hands me a new pot. I smile at her in thanks and then walkback over to their booth.

“Fresh coffee,” I call out. “Careful, it’s hot.”

I set the pot down, but before I can turn around, a hand reaches out and grabs my arm, yanking me back. I frown down at the man, finding familiar dark eyes watching me.

“I thought that was you, Sophie,” Eric sneers. “Daddy died so now you think you’re welcome in this town?” He twists my arm painfully making me whimper.

“Hey! Don’t be grabbing her!” Flo hollers as she moves around the counter, she’s not fast enough, though.

Eric grabs the fresh pot of coffee and pours it over my arm. I scream as the hot liquid burns my skin. He releases my arm only to shove me to the floor, all while his two buddies watch on. They rise from their seats as Flo rushes to my side, yelling for Richard and Saul to help. I hear the door ding as they exit, but the pain is excruciating as Richard brings ice water out to submerge my arm in.

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