Page 18 of Blood & Honey
“He’s not your kid.”
“He’s my nephew, and I don’t know…I like watching over him.He makes me feel close to Shelby.”
Melissa’s pinched features soften.“Have you heard from her at all?”
“Nope.”I pick up the menu, wanting to get off the subject of my sister.“What are you getting?”
“Strawberry pancakes and sausage.”
I smile as I glance over the choices.“You always order that.”
“I’m a creature of habit.”She looks at her phone.“Um, that’s Brian.He’s asking if you’re with me.”
“Tell him no.I don’t want to deal with Jackson right now.”
Her phone rings again.“I think I’m too late.He says they’re here.”She cringes outwardly.“Sorry.”
“It can’t be helped, I guess.”I grab my own phone off the table, remembering I forgot to turn it back on.As I’m about to the sound of a motorcycle roaring into the parking lot steals my attention.My heart rate increases then plummets when I see that it’s not Blood.It’s only some normie in jeans and a T-shirt.He’s not wearing a Saint’s Outlaws MC cut.
Brian approaches our table followed by Jackson.An anchor sinks to the pit of my stomach at the sight of him and the angry scowl he is directing in my direction.The last thing I want to deal with is him and his drama.I’ve had enough of that this morning thanks to my husband.I can’t help but grin at the thought, and Jackson mistakes my expression as being happy to see him.
His gaze lightens as he scoots into the booth next to me.Brian sits with Melissa, and I’m trapped against the window with no way to escape unless I climb over the back of our seat.
Great.
“Is everyone ready to order?”Our server returns, saving me from having to answer any questions.At least not yet.
“I’ll have two eggs over easy, bacon, and a side of fruit.And an orange juice.Please,” I tell her.
I wait patiently for everyone else to get their order in, and once they have, before Jackson can start his inquisition, I excuse myself to the restroom.The smart thing would be to ditch them, but I don’t want to bail on Melissa.And there’s the whole Blood wanting to dissolve our marriage before it’s even been a day situation waiting for me at home.
Right now, Jackson is the lesser of two evils.
Melissa follows me to the bathroom, towering over me as I check my makeup in the mirror.She gets her height from her father, and when we were kids, everyone would tease her for it.Until she met Brian, she was always taller than most of the guys at our school.
Folding her arms across her chest, she gives me an impatient glare.“Are you going to tell me what is really up with you?”Her gaze narrows on me in the reflection, and she grabs my left hand.“What the hell is this?”She jabs a finger toward my newly inked one.
“Let go.You’re hurting me.”I jerk away from her, and she moves to block me from the exit.
“I’m your best friend.We don’t keep secrets.Why is Blood’s name inked on your finger?”
“You’ve got to promise me you won’t breathe a word to anyone.”
“Okay,” she says, but her voice sounds hesitant and unsure of what she’s agreeing to keep secret.
“I mean it, Missy.”I use her nickname her dad always used on her when she was in trouble.I know it’s a low blow considering he’s gone, and she’s still grieving his loss four years later.
That’s why we bonded the way we have.We both know what it is like to lose a parent.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m married.”
“You’re what?”she shrieks so loudly I’m sure someone is going to do a welfare check on us.
“Keep your voice down.It sort of just happened.It wasn’t planned.”
“This happened last night.After you left prom?You simply met up with Blood and he said, ‘Hey, let’s get hitched’?”
