Score one for Axel, he had a point there.
Sal took a deep breath and took a step back. “You’re right, man. Sorry,” he apologized, taking a deep breath. Sal didn’t apologize often and I was surprised he so willingly backed down. “I’m just worried. I don’t get what fuckin’ happened. She shows up on our door out of nowhere, looking haunted or something.” He ran a hand through his hair and looked down at his boots. “Whatever it is, it’s not good. And, she won’t talk about it,” he added with frustration.
I took his hand and squeezed, offering what little comfort I could.
“You’ll figure it out,” Axel’s deep voice rumbled in reply. “And, we got your back, man.”
I smiled at him with gratitude. Sal had a lot on his plate. I knew he felt tremendous pressure to protect me and now he had his sister to worry about, too.
“Same goes for me. You know that,” Sal returned.
They did the whole man hug with pats on the back so hard it looked painful. Then Sal took my hand and led me to the Charger, pointing us home.
“An all-girls’ high school and college, are you kidding me!” Connie shrieked at Sophie as Ettie and I looked on later that night.
I’d proposed a “girls only” evening, but of course the guys weren’t far away, playing pool and shooting the shit against the back wall of Pete’s.
“I never thought it was weird because I didn’t know any different,” Sophie admitted.
I looked over at her and smiled reassuringly; glad to see her looking better than she had this morning. There was a little more color in her cheeks, and her eyes had more life to them as we sat and got to know each other over drinks.
“After that, our guys must come as a shock,” Ettie said. “You’d either feel like you’re in heaven or maybe hell,” she said as she laughed.
“It’s a bit of both,” Sophie allowed, showing her first real smile since she’d arrived.
She was a beautiful girl, even more so when she smiled.
“And, you’ve got Axel as your watch dog of all people,” Connie commented.
“Yeah, he’s…” Sophie searched for the right word, “intense.”
“Uh, yeah,” I agreed dryly with her understatement. Sal and Axel were neck and neck as far as intensity was concerned. But, Sal didn’t beat people down as part of his job description.
“Where’s Scar tonight?” Ettie wanted to know, sipping her beer.
“With her babe. Both of them, actually,” I said and laughed at my own joke. “We’ve got a dress fitting tomorrow so I’ll see her then.”
“Another round for you ladies?” a deep voice inquired as I looked up to find a man outfitted in a ball cap and polo shirt.
God help him. I was sure there were a few less than happy men watching his back from the pool table.
“No thanks, we’re set,” Connie replied for us.
“You look like you could use another,” he turned to Sophie who had an empty glass.
“Um, sure?” she replied, looking at me for verification. I shook my head frantically letting her know it wasn’t a good idea.
“Oh, actually, I’m okay,” she recanted while looking at me again in bewilderment.
Poor girl, she was in over her head.
I looked over to find Axel watching the exchange, his entire body taut and eyes fierce.
Interesting.
“Hey, if she wants a drink then she wants a drink,” the guy argued with me.
“It’s your face,” I said and shrugged as though indifferent.