“I agree with you,” Summer says wistfully. “Me and Jett took years to get together and hung out as friends for a long, long,long time. Trust isn’t a simple thing when you’ve been burned badly in the past, that’s how it was for me.”
Summer’s childhood abuse is not exactly a secret, and her older brother Gunner, a member of another chapter of the Rebels in Bracken Ridge, Arizona, also suffered too. And then there’s Jett and Rock. Both of them had horrific childhoods that I can’t even wrap my head around. This club is filled with all walks of life, all unique personalities, yet it’s the most family orientated place I’ve ever seen. Everyone looks after one another like a genuine family. Sure, they bicker, fight and argue, too, the boys even throw a few punches here and there, but the simple fact is, this is a brotherhood. A sisterhood. And everything in between.
“I think once you go there, the sex part, it’s difficult to go back to being friends,” I say. “I’m not gonna deny Sawyer isn’t attractive, but it’s different with us. We get each other, and few people have that. He’s my person.”
When I glance at Deanna and Summer, they’re looking at me almost dreamily. “Aww,” they say in unison.
Manny clicks his fingers. “Girls, snap out of it,” he says, adding an eye roll for good measure. “Should I tell her, or do you want to?”
I give him awhat the fuck are you talking aboutlook across the table. “Manny, I know you love a bleeding heart story and a good ol’ happily ever after, but we’re fine as we are. Nothing is going on.” Okay, maybe I’m playing that down, but I swear, if somethingdidhappen between me and Sawyer, I’d be telling nobody. The last thing I need is the Nomad brothers breathing down my neck at every turn.
“Uh, huh, because a man looks at you like that and it means absolutely nothing.” He points two fingers toward the pool table area and sure enough, Sawyer and I lock eyes.
He gives me a chin lift.
“Holy shit,” Deanna whispers.
Then he gives me a wink and a smile, turning back to the table to resume his game.
“Okay, and I stand corrected, another man just gave me the feels,” Summer says, fanning herself.
I mean, he is a hot dude. He bends over and my eyes travel to his ass as he takes his shot. I tilt my head and I don’t know if a sigh leaves my lips, but one couldn’t really blame me if it did.
“I’m hard,” Manny declares. “And I barely even know the guy.”
“Jesus,” I say, throwing a handful of napkins at him. “Get a grip!”
“I’m kidding,” he laughs. “Kinda. Anyway, what are we all wearing for my birthday bash?”
“Ooh, when is that?” I ask, unsure if he’s already told me the dates.
“Next weekend. I wanted it at XXL, but Bandit preferred to do a private show at home.”
XXL is the strip club with male performers where Bandit sometimes works.
“Thanks for that visual.” Deanna winces.
Manny winks. “Anytime.”
“Like we really needed that last piece of information,” Summer adds, shaking her head. “Ew.”
“I think a shopping trip is in order,” I say. “I have nothing nice to wear.”
“I’m up for the challenge.” Manny claps his hands together. “I’m unstoppable when it comes to birthday outfits.”
“Jesus,” Deanna mutters. “Remember last year you made us all color co-ordinate?”
“Yeah, sorry, Manny, I love you and all, but shiny lycra is not my thing.” Summer pouts.
He pokes a tongue at both of them.“Getting back to these two secret lovebirds,” Manny sings. “I get where you’re coming from with the friends thing, really, I do, but me and Lace started off as friends with benefits, and look where we all are now.”
I give him a pointed look. “Lucky for me I’m not in a poly relationship, kudos to you guys, but seriously, I don’t know how you handle two partners when I can’t even make it work with one.”
“It takes tremendous skill, and an equal amount of patience and understanding,” he says honestly. “But we wouldn’t want it any other way. I’m not trying to push you into anything, I’m just saying, Sawyer only has eyes for you, and it’s obvious.”
I look his way again, he’s laughing with Riot and Pipes, but then something truly awful happens. It’s as though the universe is trying to tell me something because one of the pretty sweet butts — I think her name is Tia — joins in on the laughing and runs her hands up Sawyer’s chest as he freezes. I freeze too. His back stiffens, and he clutches the pool cue so hard, I’m afraid he might snap it. She whispers something in his ear and he shakes his head. He doesn’t blow her off like someone would if they don’t want another person touching them, nope, he’s too nice for that, but seriously? Who does this chick think she is?
“Umm, that looks awkward,” Summer remarks.