"Saxy?" I echo.
She snickers. "Yeah, he hates it. Or, he loves to hate it. A bit of both, maybe." She pushes me around the sectional away from Ren. "I'm stealing your girl, Ren. Go play with the boys."
I glance back at Ren over my shoulder, mouthingHELP ME. He just laughs and gives me a finger-wiggle wave. By the time he's reached the table—where Kane has Chance held to a stand-still, their mammoth arms shaking at a 75-degree angle toward Kane—Rev is handing Ren a Solo cup, slinging an arm around his shoulders, and wedging him into the circle of men watching the arm-wrestling contest.
Terra guides me to the couch and playfully shoves me backward so I land seated between Anjalee and Naomi. Anjalee has a cup to her mouth, but she's giggling uncontrollably into it, while Naomi's shoulders shake in silent laughter.
Annika is on her feet, cane hooked over her forearm, several Solo cups pinched between her fingers, which she passes out. "Tequila and Sprite for Myka, vodka soda for Tati, whiskey neat for yours truly, and red wine and Coke for Anj." She shoots me a look. "Whatcha drinkin', Soph?"
"Um." I shrug. “I…I’ve never been much of a drinker. Not having control over myself and my surroundings, in my life, has most often presented a significant risk."
Annika nods, eyes full of understanding. "I get it, babe, I really do. But you're safe, here. No one's coming after you, or Ren, or any of us. Your ex-dick is dead. You're good. You can cut loose with us. No pressure, though. You don't wanna drink, hit that J. Or don't. We don't care. We just want you to unwind with us and have some fun."
I inhale, hold it, and let it out in a long, slow sigh, nodding. I point at the smoldering joint. "Let me try that, please."
Annika hands it to me. "All yours." She scans the group on the couch. "Anyone need anything before I sit down?"
No one does, and she lowers herself to the couch on the other side of Anjalee, who has finally managed to stop her giggles.
"So, Sophia," Scarlett says—she's lounging in the corner of the sectional, dressed in a pair of very tight, very short black workout shorts that leave the lower swell of her butt exposed, her long legs bare, with a midriff-baring, hand-cut, white muscle shirt over a black sports bra. Her hair is loose for once, and she's sipping from a Solo cup, glancing at Solomon over the rim; judging by their private smiles. They're sharing some wordless, amusing secret.
"So, Scarlett." I puff on the joint, hold it, blow the smoke out…and dissolve into coughing, immediately going lightheaded as the THC takes hold.
"For the daughter of a drug kingpin and ex-wife of another, you're pretty straightlaced," Terra says.
I shrug, nod. "Yes, I suppose so. I grew up watching my father's men get drunk and act like smooth-brained cavemen, and I saw firsthand the effects of the products we produced and distributed. So drinking and getting high have never held much appeal for that reason alone. And as I said a moment ago, my survival frequently depended on my reaction time and situational awareness.” Already feeling myself slowing down and loosening up, I shrug and smile, wave the joint. “This, however, seems to hold promise."
Annika takes the joint from me. "If you’re new to it, I'd let that hit or two you've taken kick in all the way before you go for more.”
I nod, letting out a breath that seems laden with the myriad stressors I've harbored for so long. "This is quite the party."
Terra cackles. "This isn't a party, babe. It's just a…celebratory hangout."
I glance at Ren—Saxon is murmuring in his ear, indicating the small bowl of gummies. Ren takes one and eats it, and Saxon claps him on the back.
"Those are not just regular gummies, are they?" I ask.
Naomi shakes her head. "Nope. I didn't realize it at first and ate two." She holds up her cup. “This is just Diet Coke because I…am…high…as…fuck.”
Silas's gaze goes to her as her shouted statement rings out. He grins at her, laughing and shaking his head.
I eye her. "Naomi, my goodness."
She sticks her tongue out at me. "I'm a big girl, Sophia. I can curse and do drugs if I want."
“Cannabis gummies hardly count as drugs," Terra mumbles into her cup. “It’s recreationally legal in the State of Nevada.”
Naomi's eyes widen comically. "Really? Even better!"
This gets a laugh out of me. "Oh, Naomi. You're too cute."
She pouts. "Cute. I don't want to becute. I want to be a badass like you and Scar."
Scarlett snickers at this. "Nay-Nay, youarea badass. Myka and Anj told me about your run-in with those dudes at the motel."
Naomi nods seriously. "That was pretty badass, wasn't it?" She frowns, then. "Is Nay-Nay cute or badass?"
"Both," Myka, Terra, and Scarlett say in unison.
