Page 4 of Hounds Ascend
“You good on your drink or do you need one?” she asks.
“I think I need another one and a blueberry bomb.”
“You got it.” Lucy fixes my drink, and I stare at Mindy and Linc. Linc’s usual stone-faced demeanor is replaced with softness and a smile. I can’t help but feel a pang of jealousy, though, because this is the first time I’ve really been out of the clubhouse in days and around Mindy and she bailed on me.
I hear exhaust pipes over the sound of the jukebox. More than one, but I’m not sure how many. I look at Linc. He meets me with a stare of his own but there’s no concern on his face. That means it’s Hounds. Which means Cass. Great.
The front door opens, and Cass walks in with Snapper, Scott, and Old School right behind him. He scans the room until he spots me in the corner only a few feet from him. He smiles and comes to greet me.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” I beam as Lucy sits another drink and shot down on the bar.
“I’ll have the same thing,” he calls to Lucy before sitting down in the chair that Mindy had abandoned.
“I might not look it, but I’m pissed.” Cass smiles through gritted teeth as he says the words.
“I don’t know why. It isn’t like I just ran off. I brought the new babysitter with me and everything.”
“I expected you to be at the bar when I was done with church.”
“And I expected you to be around more often than to just sleep and then leave again the next morning,” I fire back.
Cass’s nostrils flare. “Do you even have any fucking idea what I’m doing?” His voice is loud, but controlled. He isn’t loud enough for everyone else to hear, but it’s loud in my damn ear.
“No. I don’t have any fucking idea what you’re doing because you’re never around to fucking say anything!” I have a buzz already and that liquid courage is giving me balls. Balls that I’m not sure I can back up, but balls nonetheless.
His frustration is evident on his face. Eyebrows drawn together. Mouth in a taut line. I’m pressing his buttons and he’s fighting to keep his temper under control. Lucy sets down Cass’s drink and shot on the bar and walks away. Cass tosses back the shot and downs the double Crown and Sprite in two gulps.
“Say your goodbyes and meet me outside.” Cass’s demand is firm as he stands and walks out. Scott silently follows him out the door. I didn’t even notice him over there after he walked in.
“Bye, love.” I hug Mindy and kiss her cheek.
“You’re leaving already?” Mindy’s disappointment makes me sad.
“Yeah, but we will get together soon,” I promise, walking out the door.
Cass and Scott are already seated on their bikes when I walk out. I open the saddlebag of Cass’s bike and grab my helmet. Iput it on in silence and then climb onto the back of Cass’s bike. The ride to the clubhouse is comforting. The night air is sticky, yet cool, and I can feel the moisture in the air as we ride. Cass and Scott stay side by side, taking curves faster than I think they should, yet never losing synchronicity.
I didn’t realize until now how much I’ve missed riding. Something about it makes me feel better about everything and the buzz I have helps a little, too. The ride is over way too soon, though, and we arrive at the clubhouse.
Snapper and Old School’s bikes are out front alongside my car.
I step off the bike, my hand clinging to his shoulder for support. He doesn’t say anything as he unstraps my helmet for me and shoves it into the saddlebag. Scott is already walking inside when Cass grabs me by the hand.
I jerk my arm out of his grasp. “What is your issue?” I ask, my voice a bit louder than I intended.
“What is my issue? You can’t be serious! I’m going to fucking war for you and all you can think about is the fact that I’m not here with you? That’s a little fucking selfish and inconsiderate, Lilly, don’t you think?”
“That’s not fair. I’m stuck here, unable to leave— “
“There you go being selfish again! You think I want you to have to stay here? You think these men want to stay here all the damn time?No!They’re here foryou, Lilly!”
Tears prick the back of my eyes. Iambeing selfish and I couldn’t even see it. I hang my head and turn to walk to theclubhouse.
“Where are you going?”
“Inside,” I say, as if it were obvious.
