Page 41 of Fallen Dove
I slipped my shirt back over my head, followed by my jeans.He buttoned his own and ran a hand through his hair, as he watched me with eyes that still burned.
I smiled, soft and certain, as I tugged my shoes back on.“I think we just broke every rule you made for yourself.”
He chuckled low, and leaned in to press a kiss to my lips.“Worth it.”
The night wrapped around us, quiet and perfect, as we stood on the shore of the lake where everything had finally changed.
Chapter Twenty
Adley
The clang of steel hitting wood rang out from the back of the Social Club, followed by a round of cheers loud enough to rattle the glasses on the shelves.
I adjusted the tray of longnecks on my hip and tried not to laugh when I caught sight of the scene.The ol’ ladies were in rare form tonight, and when they were together?Weston never stood a chance.
Alice strutted back from the throwing lane like she’d just saved the world with her arms raised in triumph.“Bullseye, baby!Don’t ever doubt me again.”
“Bullseye, my ass,” Mayra shot back and squint down the lane.“That thing’s barely hanging on.”
“Barely hanging on still counts,” Alice said primly, and flipped her braided purple hair over her shoulder.
“Only because Wrecker was behind you whispering where to aim,” Mayra added with a laugh.
Wrecker didn’t even deny it.He just leaned against the rail, grinning like Alice was the only person in the room.His eyes tracked her every move, and his big hand rested casually on the back pocket of her jeans when she passed him.Pride.Plain and simple.
I swallowed hard and turned away as I weaved between tables to drop off drinks.
“Here you go, fellas,” I said, and set bottles down.
“Thanks, Adley,” one of the regulars said, already craning his neck to watch the chaos in the back.
A loud whoop echoed from the lanes.Carnie’s axe wobbled on the board, hanging on by the very tip, and Freak went nuts.He scooped her up, spinning her in a circle while she shrieked with laughter.
“Babe!You stuck it!That’s my girl!”he bellowed.
Carnie smacked his shoulder, and laughed so hard she could barely breathe.“Freak, put me down!I nearly took Wren’s head off!”
“You did not,” Freak insisted and kissed her cheek loud enough for half the room to hear.
Across the way, Wren arched a brow with her hands on her hips.“She nearly did, and I don’t want to explain to Penny why her mom’s missing an ear.”
“Please,” Cora said, and flipped her hair over her shoulder as she stepped up to the line.“I could out-throw all of you blindfolded.”
Brinks groaned from his seat.“Here we go…”
The guys at his table chuckled, and shook their heads.
“Don’t egg her on,” Raven called, but Cora was already winding up.She let the axe fly, and it clanged against the board, sliding down to the floor with a sad thud.
Brinks winced, then stood up clapping like she’d just won a trophy.“Best throw of the night!Hands down.”
Cora rolled her eyes, but the smile tugging her lips gave her away.
The whole back section of the Social Club vibrated with laughter and love.It was messy, it was loud, and it was absolutely theirs.
I slipped behind the bar, and set my tray down.Thorn was mixing margaritas while humming under his breath.Mason came out of the office, and passed close enough that I caught the faint scent of leather and cedar.
My chest lifted for half a second, waiting for his eyes.For something.A glance, a smile, a nod.Anything.
