Page 10 of Renascence

“Yeah, you heard right. We got a bun in the oven,” Einstein announces to the room.

Everyone cheers, including me. Before the noise can die down, Gage leads Raven, Ellen, and Einstein to the front of the room. He instantly commands everyone’s attention without even uttering a word. We listen expectantly, waiting for his announcement as he raises his beer for a toast.

“I know it’s been a little depressing around here, but today we have reasons to celebrate,” he says before turning to Einstein and Ellen. “My sister and VP are expecting a little one.” That gets more cheers. “And we found out my baby doll is having twins.”

“Holy shit!” I exclaim. “Y’all some fertile mother—” I remember the kid in the room and quickly stop myself. “—people.”

“Yeah, well… life is short,” Gage says, facing the now empty DJ booth. “So we’re going to live it to the fullest.” He tips his beer bottle, splashing some of the liquid on the floor for our fallen brother. “In memory of our brother, Graham ‘Allah’ McKnight. Rest in peace, bro. You’re truly riding free now. See you on the other side.”

“Hear, hear!” we all shout, then scatter when it’s evident this portion of the evening is over. I take a stool on the far side of the bar, away from everyone. I watch Gage, his hand resting protectively on Raven’s stomach as he talks to her. Shifting my attention to Einstein, I notice him hustling Ellen in my direction.

They’re happy. After all that happened to both their old ladies, they’ve moved on, starting families. I couldn’t do it. That’s why I have snakes. Well, one of the reasons.

Thinking about my snakes has my mind drifting back to Emily in the pet shop today. The look on her face when she found the mice was priceless. I don’t even realize it put a smile on my face until Einstein stops in front of me.

“What are you grinning at?” he asks.

“Nothing. Just thinking about something that happened today.”

“Bullshit. That smile involves a woman. Who is she?”

I chuckle, scratching my chin for distraction. “It’s not like that, bro.”

“Yeah, we’ll see.”

His sarcasm amuses me, leaving me grinning at his retreating back. I can’t say I’m not attracted to the sexy blonde, but that’s as far as it goes. I’d fuck her in a heartbeat, but I’m not looking to make anyone my old lady.

Not now, not ever.

***Emily***

I’m wiping the sweat from the back of my neck when a familiar voice sends a tingle up my spine.

“Emily.”

That. Voice. It’s deep and smoky, lighting up my nerve endings.

I legit think if the right words were whispered in my ear, I would come with zero physical contact.

That’s exactly why I need to stay away from him.

Slowly, I turn to face the owner of the voice. “Venom,” I acknowledge him.

He’s wearing his vest like the day I met him, but this time he’s in all black, and just as hot as I remember.

“Good workout?”

Workout. Damn it. There he stands, looking good enough to eat, and here I am looking like shit. Probably smell like it, too.

“Yeah.” I take a self-conscious step back. “The equipment here is awesome.” I motion toward the treadmill I vacated. “Getting on?”

“I was heading out actually. You need a ride home?”

“No, thanks. I have Uncle Jeff’s truck.”

“Cool. I’ll walk you out.”

“No need. I have to shower first anyway.”