Page 63 of The Souls We Claim

It takes me a second to realize what she’s saying. “Ari,” I warn.

She unzips her leather jacket. “Where do I put all this stuff?”

“Just leave it on the bike. No one will fuck with it.”

“I said I’d help Viola and Rae with the food,” she says as she slips off her sneakers and shimmies out of the leather trousers Iris loaned her.

I should get her some boots.

Fuck, I shouldn’t be getting her anything.

I catch two of the prospects checking out her ass as she bends over, and I give them a glare that makes one of the fuckers jump.

Yeah, keep your eyes off her fucking ass, pricks.

“Save me some of Rae’s potato salad,” I say.

“I can bring you a plate if you just give me a wave.”

Unable to resist, I reach out and touch the end of her braid. “I’m capable of getting my own food if I need it.”

Disappointment floods her features, even as she gives me a weak smile. “Well, thank you again for the ride.”

I climb off the bike, then remove my own helmet and jacket, fighting the gut-wrenching feeling that I’m the one missing outby letting her walk over to our food setup as if she doesn’t mean anything to me.

Two hours later, Bates waves in front of my face. “You listening to me, or are you going to spend the whole day scowling and watching Arianne like a hawk?”

I turn to my friend. “I’m not scowling. What were you saying?”

Bates grins. “I asked if you’d ever consider selling that bike of yours, but you were too busy scowling at Brandon because you’ve noticed that’s his fifth serving of food and he always waits until Arianne is free to serve him.”

“This is all making me itch a little bit,” I say as I take in Arianne’s strained smile at Brandon as he asks for more potato salad. The fucker looks down the front of her little vest every time she bends forward to grab a roll for his plate.

Bates leans back on the blanket we’re sitting on. “Brandon’s a good guy. He’ll make a strong brother one day. She could do worse.”

“Fuck off. Brandon came on too strong at the clubhouse the other night. Made her uncomfortable. I’m two seconds away from going over and pounding his face right into Rae’s potato salad.”

Bates chuckles. “Can I give you some advice?”

Ari bends and grabs a beer from the cooler before handing it to Brandon. My teeth grind when he lingers over taking it from her. I’m about ready to get up when I see Ari snatch her hand away. “I’m sure you’re going to whether I want it or not.”

“You like her. Arianne. Right?”

“Wouldn’t have brought her on the ride if I didn’t.”

Bates shakes his head. “For fuck’s sake. I was there when Spark hemmed you into a corner by offering to watch Lola.”

“Fine. It felt too…”

“It felt too what? Right? Perfect? Domestic? It’s me. Remember when we were in New York? You were laughing and joking about girls who squirt, and talking about sex and club girls who were giving. I’ve heard you defend Penny, who apparently is missing seeing you around. Why can’t you bring yourself to admit there is something fucking joyful about finding a woman who means more than all that?”

“What do you want me to say, Bates? She’s a fine woman. Leans bratty. Revs my engine like it just had a service. None of that means I’m gonna old lady her up.”

“I’m calling you on your bullshit. You don’t want to admit you’re halfway in love with a woman who is happy to be by your side, who’s happy to help raise your sister and clean your house and create a fucking home for the three of you, fine. But don’t lie to me or yourself that she’s currently on par with a club girl.”

I take a long draw from my bottle, but the cold beer does little to quench my thirst. “It’s not going to happen.”

“Gwen’s chatty. You know how she is. Word on the street says it’s already happened. Switch was talking about you owing him ten grand for some ridiculous bet.”