Page 34 of Shine: Sins of the Father (Evil Dead MC: Second Generation #8)
Reckless—
Billy racks the balls on the green felt, then steps away.
They clack when I break, and one goes left, right where I want it. I make the easy pocket shot and move on to the next.
Billy looks at me, then glances to where TJ sits on a barstool. Gigi left a bit ago with their baby, and TJ is shooting the shit with Rafe and Kyle.
Shine was distracted, texting, then took off without a word.
When I make the next shot, I miss, and Billy steps up to take his turn. I stand with the pool cue in my hands, the butt resting on the floor, watching.
TJ makes his way over, and his sharp eyes connect with mine over the beer bottle he tips up for a long pull. I ready myself for the questions I see in his eyes, and he doesn’t disappoint.
“You notice anything going on between Shine and Fiona? What the hell was she doing on his bike earlier?”
I shrug, trying to come up with a story.
“What, she can’t talk to the man? He likes cupcakes. She’s got a shop. He thought that was cool. Don’t go reading anything into it.”
“I just thought it was odd.”
“Nothing odd about it. Fiona’s a funny girl. She cuts me up every time she’s around. Maybe Shine just wanted some company.”
“As long as it's only her cupcakes he’s after,” TJ grumbles.
“Or what? You’re not her fucking brother, TJ.”
He takes a step toward me. “You wanna try saying that again?”
Billy shoves us apart. “Knock it off. TJ, just drop it.”
But I don’t. “You got a problem because he’s from Nevada? Maybe you don’t like us boys from that chapter. Maybe you need a reminder I’m from Nevada, too.”
“Guys, cool it,” Billy snaps, and Marcus comes over to help him.
“Brothers, Cole’s watching. Cut this shit out.”
Movement at the bar draws my attention.
Rafe surges to his feet, his phone to his ear, and smacks Kyle’s arm, pointing outside.
I tap Billy on the shoulder. “Hey. Something’s going on.”
He straightens and follows my eyes.
When Rafe and Kyle charge out the door, Billy shoves TJ away and follows.
The three of us move to the bar and wait with the other men. “You know what’s happening?” I ask.
They all shake their heads.
Billy comes back in the door as two bikes roar off.
“What’s goin’ on?” Cole asks.
“Wolf called Rafe. Fiona’s been in a car accident. They took her to Memorial Hospital.”
“How bad?” I snap.
Billy’s eyes cut to me, and he shakes his head. “No clue.”
The breath deflates out of me, and all I can think of is that Shine needs to know.
“Let’s go,” Cole says, and my brothers all head out to their bikes.
I hang back, digging my phone out.
Marcus pauses in the doorway. “You comin’?”
“Yeah, just need to make a call to Harley Jean. I’ll meet you there.”
He nods and walks out.
But it’s not Harley I call.
“Where are you?” I snap when Shine picks up.
“Some park. I think it’s called Mallard Park. Why?”
“What the fuck for?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but Fiona wanted me to meet her here.
Said she wanted to talk. I think she’s finally going to tell me about the baby, Reckless.
We’ll finally get this out in the open. But I’ve been waiting over a half an hour, and she hasn’t shown.
I don’t know what the fuck is going on.”
“Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be there in five minutes.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
I don’t bother to answer, just disconnect and jog out to my bike.
When I pull in five minutes later, Shine is sitting sideways on his bike.
I back into the spot next to him. Standing, I rip my helmet off and think how I’d feel if it was Harley Jean lying in some hospital and my brother came to give me the news, not knowing how badly she was hurt.
I meet his frowning gaze, and the words stick in my throat.
I don’t know exactly what these two feel for each other, but I know it’s gotten stronger with each day Shine’s been in town.
I feel like their happily ever after was at their fingertips, and I’m terrified fate may have just ripped that away from both of them.
He reads the expression on my face. “Reckless, what the fuck is wrong?”
In the end, I just blurt it out.