Page 41 of Broken Skulls (Rebel Skull MC #7)

Chapter Forty

Elizabeth

M y hands thread into Jacob’s t-shirt, and I lean with him as we round the corner. I think this has become my favorite thing. Every night after supper we go for a ride. There’s the cutest little ice cream shop on the edge of town that we frequent, but tonight we’re going over to Dan and Lily’s.

I’m a bit nervous. We’ve kept to ourselves for the past few weeks. Logically I know everyone is giving us space, but my non-logical brain tells me it’s because they don’t like me.

Jacob doesn’t seem to mind the quiet way in which we’ve been living. It’s like he hasn’t even noticed that his friends have stopped coming by.

There are a few trucks and bikes in the driveway when we pull in. It’s the cutest house with a big front porch. I glance around the yard as Jacob unbuckles my helmet for me. He never lets me touch it. When I asked why, he told me that if I’m going to be on the back of his bike, it’s his responsibility to ensure my safety.

I smile when I see a huge patch of sunflowers growing along the tree line. “Does Lily like flowers?” I ask him.

“Lily likes everything. You could show her a plain old rock and she would love it.” He laughs, taking my hand.

Jacob told me it’s just a small family dinner. Dan and Lily’s twins are back on break. They also have a shooting range, and we’re all going to go out after supper. I guess I’m okay with that, but it makes me a little nervous too.

I’ve noticed Jacob has increasingly been checking our surroundings while we are out. Maybe it’s how he’s always been, living the club life. He’s told me many stories about the crazy stuff that has happened over the years.

I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing mind. My world was confined inside my own head for so many years that I think I still get a little over stimulated. I’m safe. I’m happy. I’m loved. There is nothing to worry about.

He pauses on the steps. “Hey.” His head dips to capture my eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

His hand wraps around the back of my head. “Don’t apologize. If you want to go home, we can.”

“I don’t want you to miss your family time.”

“Our family time,” he corrects. “Just give my hand a squeeze if it gets to be too much and we’ll leave. Okay?”

“Oh! I almost forgot Lily’s gift.”

I rush back to his bike, and he jogs after me.

“I’ll get it,” he says, pushing me aside gently. “Are you sure you want to give it to her?”

My head nods off my shoulders. “Yes! I owe her something for the necklace. I know this isn’t the same but …”

He hands me the little box, interrupting me. “She’ll love it.”

On cue, Lily steps out of the house. “I thought I heard someone pull in. Get your tushies in here.” She waves for us to go to her with both hands.

The minute Jacob is standing on the porch, she pulls him into her arms. “I’ve missed you, friend.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbles.

My heart takes a nosedive right into the pit of my stomach. I’m the reason she’s missed him. It doesn’t last long though, because she releases Jacob and turns toward me.

“Come here, you,” she says excitedly, jumping on the balls of her feet.

Her arms wrap around me, pulling me close. Her hair smells like bubble gum, and for some reason it relaxes me.

She holds me at arm’s length. “You look amazing. Not that you weren’t beautiful before, but …”

“You can thank the sun,” Jacob says.

I laugh lightly, dropping my head.

Lily drapes her arm around my shoulder, ushering me inside. “I’m sure the sun helped, but she looks like a well-loved woman.”

“Lily,” Jacob groans on my behalf.

Kelsie hops out of her seat at the table. “Yay! You came!” she exclaims, pulling me from her mother’s grasp. “Come sit by me.”

She pushes a young man who is as big as Dan out of the chair beside her. “Move, butthead,” she tells him.

He looks up at her. “Make me.”

Big Dan walks into the room. He snaps his fingers at the young man, and he instantly moves.

“Thanks, Dad,” Kelsie says before sticking her tongue out at who I am now assuming is her brother.

An old man chuckles across the table from us as we sit down. “Welcome to our happy home,” he jokes. “I’m Ray, Dan’s father.”

I place the little gift I brought for Lily beside my plate, then I reach over to shake his hand. “I’m … I’m Elizabeth. It’s nice to meet you,” I tell him.

“Oh, I’ve heard all about you.”

I try to pull my hand away, but he holds it tight. “My granddaughter told me you were beautiful, but wow, just wow.”

Jacob taps the older man on the shoulder. “Keep your hands off my woman, old man.”

Ray kisses my hand before releasing me. He stands and hugs Jacob, patting him gruffly on the back. “Jacob. It’s nice to see you, brother.”

Kelsie takes my hand in hers. “Jacob says he’s going to take you out to the shooting range later. I’ve been trying to get Lexie to learn. Maybe if she sees you giving it a go, she’ll finally give in.”

I glance around the room. “Is she here?”

“No, but Tank is picking her up. They should be here soon.”

Tank walks in the front door as if her saying his name summoned him. When he sees me, his shoulders fall.

My head drops. I shouldn’t be here. I don’t belong.

Kelsie leans close and whispers in my ear. “He’ll get used to it.”

I’m not so sure about that.

Lexie pushes past him and makes a beeline straight for me. “I’m so happy you and Jacob are here.” She hugs me around the neck.

Everyone in the room stops what they’re doing to watch us, a look of surprise on their faces.

I pat her back. “I’m happy to see you too,” I tell her honestly.

She sits down on the other side of me.

“I was going to ask if I could spend the night at your house tomorrow. There’s a big party, and …” She lets her words trail off.

My house?

Jacob squeezes my shoulder, now standing behind us. He answers for me. “You can absolutely stay at our house tomorrow night.”

She stands up and gives him a quick hug. “Thank you,” she says, and then she sits back down and hugs me again.

This is the huggiest bunch of people I’ve ever met, but I can’t say that I mind. It’s been nice.

The rest of the meal goes off without a hitch. Dan and Lily are wonderful hosts. There are lots of stories told and a lot of laughter. Jacob looks across the table at me and smiles. He looks so happy, it warms my heart.

Everyone helps in the clean up here too, which is nice.

I stop Lily as she’s clearing some plates from the table. “This is for you,” I tell her, handing her the little box.

“For me?” Her entire face lights up.

Jacob grabs the dishes from her hands, taking them out to the kitchen.

As soon as she opens the box, she begins to cry.

“I’m sorry I lost the other one, and I know this won’t replace it, but …”

She cuts me off, strangling me in a hug. “Thank you, Elizabeth. It’s wonderful. I’m going to hang it in my kitchen window. It will remind me of all of us who followed the dragonfly.”

“I … I didn’t follow it,” I whisper.

“You did,” she assures me. “Don’t you ever doubt the power of the dragonfly.”

I don’t argue with her. I’m just relieved she likes my gift.

“Oh Mom, that is so pretty,” Kelsie says after Dan hangs it in their kitchen window.

It spins from the chain, and I can’t help but smile, knowing I saved it from being crushed.