With all the time I had on my hands, having that outlet had been a life raft.The free time you have to think can drive you fucking crazy if you focus on all you have to regret and atone for.
Stone is the only one who doesn’t get up to greet me.He gives me a chin lift as a hello, which speaks volumes.
Now that I know what I know about him, the signs are easier to spot.
As a unit, we make our way toward the bar, and Cap orders a round of drinks.Bryan, my bartender, greets me and shakes my hand.He looks a little uncomfortable when he asks me what I’ll have, and I get it.It’s weird as fuck for me too, but I put him at ease and order a water.It’s the first time I’ve had the choice, but it’s an easy one, seeing as alcohol wasn’t my vice, but it contributed to my problem.
“So, Bodie said your surgery is just around the corner and you’ll want a few of us going to Cali with you?”Dozer asks after things settle down.
“Yeah.You, Bodie, and Griz, if that’s alright.”
He looks at me a little odd, but nods.“Alright.Then, we’ll be there.”
I slap his back.“I appreciate it.”
Griz meets my gaze for a moment, and we share a quiet conversation in that look, a worry about how shit is going to go down when I fill Dozer and the others in on what’s going on.
I catch sight of Raven moving through the table towards me, and just as I stand from my stool, she throws her arms around me, giving me a tight hug.
“Hey, you,” I say with real affection.
She draws back and slaps my bicep.“It’s so damn good to see you.”
“You too.”
“Was wondering when you were going to show.Lily said you’d be here sooner.”
“Turns out getting out of rehab is somehow more of a pain in the ass than getting in.”
She chuckles.“Lily would come out, but they don’t have much time before they go on.Plus, she didn’t want to give away any hints about tonight’s show.Glad you’re here, though, because she was having a meltdown thinking you were going to miss it.”
“Does she know I’m here?”
She laughs.“Are you kidding?She’s been watching the door all night from backstage.She knows.”
A big grin splits across my face at this.“Good.”
“Yeah, make sure you wrangle yourself a good seat.This number tonight is one she’s been quite the drill sergeant about.It means a lot to her.She’s been fucking relentless at practice.”
“That bad?”
“Two girls quit.”I raise a brow, but Raven waves me off.“A loss, but not a big one.It’s fine.I’ve already found someone to replace one of them, and I’ll hold auditions soon.”
“You did good, Raven.I appreciate you taking over things for me.I’ve heard nothing but high praise.”
She sidles up closer and nudges my shoulder.“So about that raise…”
I laugh and nudge her back.“You got it.”
Her eyes light up.“Really?”
“Yeah.You’ve earned it.I was also thinking we’d make it official and change your title to manager.”
“Oh my God.If I’d known the way to your heart was a long vacation, I would have made you take one ages ago.”We both laugh at her ribbing and word usage.Vacation.If only.“Well, we’re about to start, so I’d better get back there.”
“Tell her to break a leg or whatever it is you’re supposed to say.”
Raven nods and turns.She runs smack into Bodie, whose gaze is down as if he’d been checking out her ass.As she glares at him, he runs his thumb over his lip.Raven rolls her eyes.“Bodie,” She says in a low, smoky voice.
