Page 69 of Exile & Lula
“Probably. What I feel for Exile isn’t like anything I felt with Jarred. I’m addicted to the love he gives me.”
Clint grinned at my mushy declaration. “That’s why I’m glad his sister came up. I worried about Exile leaving tonight and staying away for too long. I figured you wouldn’t do well without him around. I know I can’t be away from Ivy for too long.”
We looked at his sweet-natured girlfriend, who had blossomed since arriving in Little Memphis. The foxes were teaching her many bad habits, and Clint’s family had folded her into their tribe.
Ivy was a tiny woman at under five feet tall. She was born prematurely and with a faulty heart. After growing up isolated from people, Ivy was ill-equipped for the world at large. Yet, a few months around the Crimson Guard had made all the difference. Nova was bound to flourish here, too.
“I was serious about the party with both clubs,” Clint told me. “It would be a good chance for everyone to meet. Those Black Rainbow guys don’t really take the foxes seriously. And our people view the Black Rainbow with suspicion.”
“Maybe Nova can meet a man,” I said, feeling like playing Cupid. “Who should I push her toward?”
“No one. It doesn’t work that way, and you know it. If I had pushed you toward York or Zodiac, would that have worked?”
“No, no, I get it, but Nova’s so pretty, and she deserves a man to be sweet to her.”
Clint scanned the people outside in the backyard. “How did Rowdy act around her?”
“Like he was conversing with Exile’s sister. Zero horny from him at all.”
“Rock wouldn’t work,” Clint insisted. “He’s scary and doesn’t like dating.”
“He might be less scary with Nova.”
“Well, bring her to the clubhouse party and see if she gravitates toward any of the guys.”
Smiling, I felt like playing matchmaker. If I could spread the romance bug, I wouldn’t feel so guilty for finding love while other people were struggling.
Leaving Clint to talk to Zodiac, I joined Vanessa at the child-sized picnic table, where she sat with Skylar and Lyric. They were drawing pictures with crayons.
“Who’s that?” Skylar asked Vanessa.
“My friend. She’s sick in the hospital. She used to have green hair.”
“Did she eat something bad?”
“No, that’s not why she’s in the hospital.”
“Is that why her hair was green?”
Vanessa snickered. “No, she just liked being weird.”
“I’m weird,” Skylar said and nodded at Lyric.
“I’m not. I’m wild,” Lyric replied and showed off her picture of a blue blob waving at a red blob. “This is you,” she told me, pointing at the red blob. “This is my uncle,” she explained and pointed at the blue blob. “You’re boyfriend and girlfriend.”
Grinning at Lyric’s handiwork, I also admired Skylar’s picture of a pizza with butterflies and trucks as the toppings. As I enjoyed time with the kids and my sad sister, I glanced atExile. He was talking with Zodiac, Clint, and Rowdy. Their body language made me think they were discussing the Void.
I glanced around, feeling vulnerable out in the open. The sun was nearly ready to set, and I imagined someone watching us through a rifle scope.
Paranoid now, I stood up and created space between everyone and myself. I moved toward the corner of the yard and wrapped my arms around my body. The cooling air made me shiver. My paranoia left me searching for threats around the lake.
“Do you still have that little peanut shell ring I gave you?” Pax asked as he walked over to me.
Back when I was three years old, Pax proposed to Bebe at Texas Roadhouse. He used a shell from the peanut bucket to act as her engagement ring. Knowing I was a package deal with Bebe, Pax found a smaller shell to fit on my finger.
“I still have it,” I said as he wrapped his arms around me. “It’s safe in my jewelry box.”
“You were such a special little girl. I doubt most kids would have warmed up so fast to a guy like me. But you knew I’d love you right.”
