Total pages in book: 150
Estimated words: 142818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
She smiled and nodded as if she had heard my telepathic plea, turning to engage Bennett in conversation.
I sagged in my chair slightly. I was not out of the woods. Not even a little. I was sitting at the Christmas table with all of my new family—my grandparents were arriving later today for what would hopefully be a less chaotic dinner—having just been fucked by the object of my infatuation and was no longer wearing panties while my mother entertained the boy who was supposed to be my date.
Hansen distracted me from all of this when he stood up from his position at the head of the table, holding a beer.
All conversation quieted.
“Want to thank you all for being here,” he began in his rich, deep voice. “This is a difficult time of year for this chapter.” He looked down at his wife who reached up to squeeze his hand, her eyes glassy.
“We’ve lost a lot,” he cleared his throat. “And we will not forget those we lost. But they also would want us to celebrate them, to make the club the best it can be and make sure no one hurts this club again.”
Someone clanged their glass on the table in agreement, others nodded in a menacing and badass ways that were mighty impressive. Elden’s face remained a stoic mask.
“We are a family,” Hansen continued. “And we take care of our own. We have each other’s backs. I love each and every one of you, and I thank you for being here. I’m so fuckin’ proud of how we’ve rebuilt and what we will continue to do.” He held up his beer. “Here’s to many more years of prosperity, and most importantly, family.”
There were a bunch of “hear hears,” and, “cheers!”
I lifted my own glass, not looking at Elden and pretending what we’d just done didn’t endanger the peace of the family we were toasting to.
Dinner went off without a hitch. I managed to sink into the warmth of the love around the table, the food and the feeling of belonging I’d never felt before. Whenever we were at the table with my father and his friends or family, I’d always held my silverware—correctly, of course—in a grip tight enough to turn my knuckles white in order not to scream out loud at some of the elitist, misogynist bullshit that came out of their mouths. And when I was old enough to understand that I couldn’t, wouldn’t be silent anymore, my protests were always followed by a moment of tense silence and my mother rushing to change the subject, her concerned gaze darting toward my father.
Sometimes my father would chastise me afterward. My mother would always step in, tell me to go to bed.
I now wondered what happened after I went to bed. What punishments my mother experienced in order to protect me.
The thought clogged my throat.
It even distracted me from Elden’s presence across the table and the general reality of my situation… That was until everyone finished eating and Bennett’s hand clasped onto my shoulder.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?” he asked quietly in my ear.
I jolted underneath his hand, moving quickly so my shoulder was no longer in his grip. My panicked eyes swiveled quickly to Elden who was watching with an impassive face from his spot by the bar.
My breath hitched, hoping that this wouldn’t count as the kind of touch that would get Bennett hurt. He was here because of me and because he was a nice guy; he did not deserve to be punished for that.
“Sure!” I said in a tone that was much too high.
Colby snickered beside me, so I poked my tongue out at him before quickly standing to face Bennett.
His face was blank, not angry but no longer warm and inviting as it had been when we arrived.
Shit, he was mad.
Who wouldn’t be?
“Let’s go…” I looked around the crowded room, everyone congregating in little groups.
There was no corner to sit and talk privately, plus, all of the men here were worse gossips than the women.
“You can talk in my room if you’d like,” Colby offered.
I scowled at him. “We’ll go outside, thank you,” I snapped at him before refocusing my gaze on Bennett who was looking between Colby and I quizzically.
As we walked through the room silently, I smiled tightly at everyone we passed until we made it outside to the crisp air.
I rubbed my exposed arms, cursing my forgotten coat.
Bennett didn’t hesitate in handing me his. I hadn’t even realized he’d taken it with him.
Though I shouldn’t have accepted such a thoughtful act of chivalry considering what I’d just done, I took the coat gratefully. It didn’t warm me as it should’ve because it smelled of him, reminding me of what an asshole I was.
Luckily, none of the smokers had ventured outside, and the parking lot was desolate. I wished for someone to come and interrupt us so I didn’t have to have this conversation.