Page 6 of Blood & Honey (Saint’s Outlaws MC: Deadman’s Beach, AL #2)

Chapter Five

“Why do you look like you’re glowing? Are you glowing?” Melissa questions as I slide into the other side of the booth at Banana Jack’s Waffle Shack.

“I don’t know. I’m just happy.”

“Well, I know it isn’t because you did the deed with Jackson.

Where did you run off to?” my best friend for as long as I can remember eyes me suspiciously with her chestnut orbs that match the color of her hair as the server places two waters with lemon slices on the brim onto the table along with the menus.

“Something came up with the club. It was an emergency, and Blood needed me to keep an eye on Ash. He couldn’t exactly leave him by himself.”

“But it was prom?”

“That’s club life.”

“You say it as if you are a part of that whole scene.”

I shrug, trying to hide the irritation crossing my features at the judginess coming across from her tone. “I mean, I do live with the club president.”

“Until we move into our apartment.”

“About that.”

“Don’t tell me you’re chickening out.”

“No. Not exactly, but Blood needs more help than he expected with Ash.”

“He’s not your kid.”

“He’s my nephew, and I don’t know…I like watching over him. He makes me feel close to Shelby.”

Melissa’s pinched features soften. “Have you heard from her at all?”

“Nope.” I pick up the menu, wanting to get off the subject of my sister. “What are you getting?”

“Strawberry pancakes and sausage.”

I smile as I glance over the choices. “You always order that.”

“I’m a creature of habit.” She looks at her phone. “Um, that’s Brian. He’s asking if you’re with me.”

“Tell him no. I don’t want to deal with Jackson right now.”

Her phone rings again. “I think I’m too late. He says they’re here.” She cringes outwardly. “Sorry.”

“It can’t be helped, I guess.” I grab my own phone off the table, remembering I forgot to turn it back on.

As I’m about to the sound of a motorcycle roaring into the parking lot steals my attention.

My heart rate increases then plummets when I see that it’s not Blood.

It’s only some normie in jeans and a T-shirt.

He’s not wearing a Saint’s Outlaws MC cut.

Brian approaches our table followed by Jackson.

An anchor sinks to the pit of my stomach at the sight of him and the angry scowl he is directing in my direction.

The last thing I want to deal with is him and his drama.

I’ve had enough of that this morning thanks to my husband.

I can’t help but grin at the thought, and Jackson mistakes my expression as being happy to see him.

His gaze lightens as he scoots into the booth next to me. Brian sits with Melissa, and I’m trapped against the window with no way to escape unless I climb over the back of our seat.

Great .

“Is everyone ready to order?” Our server returns, saving me from having to answer any questions. At least not yet.

“I’ll have two eggs over easy, bacon, and a side of fruit. And an orange juice. Please,” I tell her.

I wait patiently for everyone else to get their order in, and once they have, before Jackson can start his inquisition, I excuse myself to the restroom.

The smart thing would be to ditch them, but I don’t want to bail on Melissa.

And there’s the whole Blood wanting to dissolve our marriage before it’s even been a day situation waiting for me at home.

Right now, Jackson is the lesser of two evils.

Melissa follows me to the bathroom, towering over me as I check my makeup in the mirror. She gets her height from her father, and when we were kids, everyone would tease her for it. Until she met Brian, she was always taller than most of the guys at our school.

Folding her arms across her chest, she gives me an impatient glare. “Are you going to tell me what is really up with you?” Her gaze narrows on me in the reflection, and she grabs my left hand. “What the hell is this?” She jabs a finger toward my newly inked one.

“Let go. You’re hurting me.” I jerk away from her, and she moves to block me from the exit.

“I’m your best friend. We don’t keep secrets. Why is Blood’s name inked on your finger?”

“You’ve got to promise me you won’t breathe a word to anyone.”

“Okay,” she says, but her voice sounds hesitant and unsure of what she’s agreeing to keep secret.

“I mean it, Missy.” I use her nickname her dad always used on her when she was in trouble. I know it’s a low blow considering he’s gone, and she’s still grieving his loss four years later.

That’s why we bonded the way we have. We both know what it is like to lose a parent.

“What’s going on?”

“I’m married.”

“You’re what?” she shrieks so loudly I’m sure someone is going to do a welfare check on us.

“Keep your voice down. It sort of just happened. It wasn’t planned.”

“This happened last night. After you left prom? You simply met up with Blood and he said, ‘Hey, let’s get hitched’?”

“Not exactly. It was my idea. It’s complicated.”

“How complicated can it be, and dude, isn’t he like way older than you? Didn’t he have a baby with your sister?”

“One question at a time. Ash isn’t his. And he’s only ten years older. I think.”

“You think?” She throws her hands up.

“I’ll explain more later. I promise. Just don’t tell Jackson or Brian. Or anyone.”

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I knew you had the hots for him, but I assumed it was a crush. A fantasy. How long have you been messing around with him?”

“Since last night.”

I can tell she doesn’t believe me. She stares at me with pinched brows and a tight-lipped expression full of disappointment.

“Promise me this stays between us.”

“Fine. I won’t say anything for now.”

“I swear I’ll explain it all to you.”

“Just be careful. Him and his club are dangerous.”

“I know who he is.”

“Are you sure about that? People disappear around him is all I’m saying.”

“I trust Blood.”

“If you say so,” she tells me, and my stomach sours.

Blood didn’t hurt Shelby.

Did he?

Back at the table, our food has been served. However, I’ve lost what little of an appetite I had.

“Thought we was going to need to call in a search party,” Brian teases.

“We all know Ashley is good at disappearing,” Jackson mutters.

I should feel some morsel of guilt for walking out on him at prom. I don’t.

Instead of giving him any response, I cut into my eggs, watching the yolk soaking into my bread. I can sense everyone at the table staring at me. Waiting for me to give them an explanation.

Taking a sip of my orange juice, I continue with the silent treatment, allowing them to fill the silence if they choose to. I don’t owe them anything. After the shit Jackson has put me through, he’s lucky I went to prom with him at all.

“I can’t do this,” Jackson lashes out, dropping his fork against his plate. “How can you sit here and not even fucking apologize for ruining my night?”

“I’m sure you found someone to occupy my space the moment I left.”

“I don’t get you. Why bother getting back with me? Was this to get back at me for Lulu?”

“You caught me. Everything I do. Every thought I have revolves around you. Get over yourself.”

“What the hell is on your finger?” He grabs my hand, trying to read the tattoo on my finger.

I twist my hand out of his hold. “None of your business.”

“Is that a tattoo? You really do want to be biker trash.” He scoffs.

“Want to say that to me?” a growly voice rumbles, and I look up to see the biker from before.

I recognize him from the clubhouse. Jackson stares at the dude looking ready to shit himself at the sight of the menacing biker. Tequila is as mean as they come. Redneck and tattooed with evil entities up and down his arms. He’s the type to kick your ass without thinking twice.

Tequila shoots me a wink. “Is this little prick bothering you?”

“Nah, that would require me giving a shit about his existence.”

He smirks, and I can see Melissa about to melt into her seat at the sight. Tequila is hot in a scary way. Like being attracted to the killer in a horror film.

“You ready to go? Blood asked me to follow you home.”

“Ready as I’ll ever be. I’ll call you later,” I inform Melissa, not paying Jackson any mind.

I doubt he’ll be an issue moving forward.

Graduation is less than two weeks away, and then he’ll be off on vacation with his family before leaving for his engineering school.

All we were to each other were space fillers.

Someone to pass the time with until graduation.

We were always going to end.

Melissa gives me a small wave goodbye.

True to his word, Tequila stays on me until I pull into the driveway.

I should’ve taken the long way home or something.

I stare up at the house, knowing that Blood is likely watching me on the security feed, waiting for me to exit my car.

I don’t want to face him and hear all about what a mistake I am.

That’s all I’ve ever been is someone’s regret.

My father.

My mother.

Shelby even.

Then Jackson.

And now Blood.

Why doesn’t anyone truly ever want me?