Page 46 of Word to the Wise

“Nah, you guys are just disgusting all around,” Mason agrees with me, and it makes me smile.

Except, maybe Lyla is right because when Mason glances in my direction, I wouldn’t mind him acting out all the thoughts that run through my head about him.

“See you tonight.” Lyla pulls away from Sage and walks over to me while Mason continues up the steps.

“I’ll pick you up when we’re done.”

I nod, following Lyla down the path to where her car is parked, glancing back to catch a glimpse of Mason following my brother into the clubhouse.

He’s out of place here in his jeans, black hoodie, and sneakers. No leather cut or boots. In any other setting, Mason’s height and wide shoulders might make him intimidating, but his protective presence isn’t the same as the hard edge the guys at the club carry around.

I have no doubt Mason would go to the same lengths they do to protect someone he cares about, but he isn’t like them. And that’s another thing on the growing list of things that draws me to him.

“Oh yeah?” Lyla nudges my shoulder, and I snap my attention to the path ahead of me.

“What?”

“Don’t even try to play coy with me. I saw that.”

But I pretend I don’t know what she’s talking about as I climb in the passenger seat, and we make our way across the compound. It’s not like I’m going to act on it. Mason and I are friends, nothing more. After everything he’s seen when it comes to me, he’d never be interested anyway.

I’m a roller coaster, and if he’s smart, he’ll stay off it.

After a short drive, we’re in the neighborhood. Which is just the term the club uses for the collection of houses on the edge of the property. It’s where the council members’ families live. And for a while, it was mostly abandoned. But as I look up and down the street and see cars and signs of life, I realize it’s another way Sage and Lyla are bringing a sense of family back to the club.

“I thought you guys moved into my dad’s old house?” I ask when she stops the car in front of the one next door and climbs out.

“We did. But I told Candy we’d come to hang out with her for a bit.”

Candy was Blaze’s longtime girlfriend until they finally got married when Blaze was promoted to president.

After Lyla’s father was killed, Blaze took his spot and brought my brother on as his VP. Lyla and Candy have taken it upon themselves to bring the sense of community back to the compound, and it’s working.

“Hey, girlies.” The door swings open before we’re up the steps.

Candy is bubbly as usual while still looking like someone you don’t want to mess with. She’s wearing a skintight leopard tank top and black jeans that mold to her figure. Her tattoos are on display as she toys with her lip ring.

“Lyla.” She hugs her, and as Lyla passes into the house, Candy pulls me to her. “Hey, Reed, it’s been forever.”

“It has.” I smile at her. “You’ve got brown hair now?”

I’ve only met her a few times over the years, but her hair has been a different color each time. Pink. Purple. Green. For once, it’s all natural.

Candy places her hand on her stomach as she guides me into the house. “This little stinker is lucky I love ‘em because I miss my fun hair.”

“You’re pregnant?” My gaze drops to where she’s rubbing her stomach.

“Just found out last week.” She smiles.

“Good lord, what do they put in the water around here? First, all the guys at the shop get hitched. And now you all are knocked up?”

“I’ll tell you the secret.” Candy smiles wide, pulling three glasses out of the cabinet while Lyla and I take seats at the kitchen table. “It’s all the sex.”

Lyla bursts out laughing, and my cheeks flare at her comment.

“What?” Lyla asks when I look at her. “She’s not wrong.”

“Well, congratulations. But I’ll happily stay an aunt for now.” I take a sip of my water when Candy sets it in front of me.