I look around for Gray but don’t see him.The fucker is always disappearing.
Chapter Seven
Iloadupmyplate with garlic cheese bread and a couple slices of pizza while observing the people who have taken me in.They cut up and carry on like a family.The way the men tease each other cracks me up.There’s a comradery among them that I envy.I’ve always been a loner in a lot of ways.Maybe that made me easy prey for Thad.Growing up, I didn’t make friends easily.I was the odd, chubby girl who loved to read more than anything else.Books gave me an escape.Friends that felt real, even if they only ever lived in my imagination.
Reading made my childhood less lonely, but I’ve always longed for a friend group.A true family.I thought Thad and I were going to build a family together.And as far as friend groups go, Gwynee was trying to include me and make me a part of hers.As sweet as she was, I still felt like an outsider, but something about sitting at this table with these bikers and their babes makes me feel as though maybe I could eventually settle in to this life.
I just want someone to want me.
Somewhere to belong.
A real home.
Madz smiles at me, and nothing about her energy or her expression comes off fake.She comes off genuinely.
I bite into my pizza, and a moan escapes my lips.I’m either starving, or this is the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life.
Automatically, all eyes are on me.
“Now that’s what I call a foodgasm,” the brunette that was with Foolish earlier says.
Woods clears his throat, and I meet his gaze.My cheeks redden the second I look at him.Why am I so drawn to this man that I can’t have and shouldn’t want?What is it about him?
I look away and fight against the smile pulling at my mouth and shove more food between my lips.I can’t go there.He’s married.He’s a cheater.He’s not mine and he never will be.
“I’m gonna have to try this if it’s that good.”A guy by the road name Dover reaches for a slice of my specialty pizza and Madz slaps him on the back of his hand.
“Hands off.”
“It’s fine.I don’t mind.”I barely utter the words before all the guys are going for my box.
Woods grabs the whole thing, snatching it away from them before they claim every slice.“Fucking animals,” he mutters, then procures a slice for himself.
“You guys are the worst,” a woman I’ve not met yet says.She’s sitting between Popeye and Bugs, but I can’t tell which man she’s with if either of them.Whoever she is, she has the silkiest black hair I’ve ever seen.
“That’s Anya.Be careful around her,” Madz warns.“She’s besties with Faye.Thewife.”
The ways she says wife tells me she knows about Woods and me, and I wonder what her silence will cost me.
“Good to know.”
“The chick with Foolish is Gabbie.She’s a club girl like me, but I trust her about as far as I can throw her.Kiki is cool, but she’s not here.”
“Anything else I should be aware of?”
“What are you two whispering about?”Anya presses.
“We were wondering what shampoo you use,” I blurt out.“Your hair is so silky.It’s gorgeous.”
She smiles and runs her fingers through it.“Thanks.I get it from the salon in town.”
“Ass kisser,” Madz mutters, and I elbow her in the ribs.
“You two seem chummy.Do you know each other?”
“What is this an interview,” Madz answers Anya.
“Just curious.So what’s your story?”She directs the question to me.
