Page 38 of A New Era

“Thanks.”

I once felt bad not going for a drink with him but not anymore.

“How are you? I haven’t seen you around in a while.”

“I’m good, thanks. Did you catch the plate number?”

I shake my head. I didn’t even think to do that. If it were one of the brothers, it would’ve been the first thing they thought to do.

“Cas wants you both back ASAP,” Grim tells us and we get in the car.

During the drive home, the excitement of our ladies' night disappears. If someone was tailing us, why and who? Did they know Leo and most of the club left town earlier? Are they preparing to attack? My heart pounds as my imagination runs away with itself. Cas is sat at a picnic table with Rayna as Alannah stands holding Gunner. I park and the guys take our supplies over to the house without having to be asked.

“What model was the car?” Cas asks us.

“A black SUV,” I tell him.

“And you didn’t see it again on the way back?”

We both shake our heads, and he nods. “For now, don’t leave unless a brother is with you.”

“I don’t intend to.”

I leave Harper with Cas and Alannah, and Rayna and I head home. The bags of food and drink cover the kitchen floor and I start unpacking it all.

“Are you having a party?” Rayna asks, stepping over one of the bags.

Smiling down at her, I say, “Yep, yep, yep. Tomorrow night, and you’re going to have a sleepover at Grandpa Slade’s.”

I invited Kristen and she said she’d think about it. I don’t hold much hope she’ll stop by, but it would be nice if she did. She’s been warmer toward me since Leo told her about us and for that I’m grateful. After losing her daughter, she could’ve made my life unbearable. Alannah spoke some about her and said she changed after India’s death. That she was never truly comfortable with the club but not at all after she lost her daughter. I hope the loss of a child is something I never endure. I don’t think I would be as strong as Kristen.

* * *

Since Rayna was awake at the crack of dawn, I was able to get an early start decorating the backyard. I hung fairy lights around the fencing and arranged the tables together to make one big table and placed the chairs around it. I picked up new lanterns and large candles in town last week and I placed them on the table and two on each of the steps leading up to the back porch.

The lemons and limes are sliced ready for the tequila. All kinds of snacks are covered and ready to be taken outside. My make-up is flawless and my dress clings to my body like a second skin. Since I’ve been with Leo, I’ve slowly been coming to terms with my hands. He’s the only one I’m at complete ease around without my gloves on. Since we got together, my confidence has grown with everyone else catching quick glances at my gloves. It no longer bothers me when they stare. They can’t see anything but the material covering my scars. My collection of gloves means I have a different pair for every outfit.

The house is silent. Slade picked Rayna up a couple of hours ago and Kristen sent me a photo of Rayna sitting watching Slade work on his bike after her dinner. She apologised that she couldn’t make it tonight and wished me a great night. I take one last look in the mirror before going to answer the door when the bell rings.

This is it.

My nerves mix with excitement, and I exhale long and hard before opening the door.

Harper, Alannah, and Bonnie step inside, all dressed up and carrying bottles of wine or in my soon-to-be mother-in-law’s hand, a bottle of tequila.

I open the door wider as Libby and Kyla head toward the house. I don’t know Libby as well as the others, but she’s always been nice to me on the few occasions we’ve been around each other.

“Hey, go through and out to the yard.” I smile and as Harper is in charge of the music, it soon fills the house.

Emma and Aspen are last to arrive, and I notice how tired Emma is. Last I heard Tommy still wasn’t sleeping through the night. Emma leans in and hugs me and I notice Aspen’s a lot more chilled than when Harper and I saw her yesterday.

“I hope you stocked up on tequila 'cause I need to be drunk, like, an hour ago,” Aspen says and I gesture for her to come in.

“I’ve got you covered. Come on, everyone’s out back.”

They head out the back door and I make a quick stop to grab the vodka from the freezer. While I’m alone in the house, I take a deep breath and push out the last bunch of nerves running through me. I exhale and step outside. Conversations are already flowing, and laughter fills the night.

“Pass me that vodka,” Aspen hollers and I place it in front of her as I take a seat.

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