Broken but Breathing (Jinx Tattoos 2)

Es scanned the crowded club, searching for a familiar face. When she came up empty, her spirits sank. She’s not going to come.

“What’s going on with you tonight?” Kali asked.

“I invited my sister-in-law here tonight. I thought if she came out and saw me on the job it might smooth things over.”

Kali sighed. “Honey, when you throw in with the Wild Ones, there are people you’ll lose because they don’t understand.”

“It shouldn’t be that way, Kal,” Es said, refusing to give up her best friend or her…man? Boyfriend sounded too silly as old as they were.

“No, but if wishes were fishes, the world would be an ocean.”

“You’re not helping.”

“What? You’re nicer than me extending that olive branch. You screw me over, and I might forgive, but I won’t forget.” She shook her head. “That’s how you get screwed repeatedly, and unless you’re my man, I’m not about that life.”

“She’s not just anyone. This woman saved my life a million times over and refused to give up on me when the rest of the world turned their back or tried to get their pound of flesh.”

“The real test comes when you no longer do the things they expect of you. Or can no longer do the things they want you to. If they stick around, the friendship is true. If they jump ship, you’re better off seeing them for who they’ve always been. They save you the trouble of removing them from your life.”

“Jesus, Kal. Is it all so black and white with you?” Es asked.

“Once you’re betrayed enough, you grow a thick skin and learn to see the signs on the wall for what they are. Good-byes are never easy. But there comes a point where hardening your heart becomes self-preservation. This world and the selfish people in it can break you down and drain you dry. You have to find that balance between understanding and flexibility and being a naïve doormat.”

“I’m not a doormat.”

“Never said you were. The fact is, sometimes you have to remind others of that fact and let the pieces fall where they may. For your sake, I hope she shows up tonight. But if she doesn’t, think about what that says and remember accepting any kind of treatment sends a message that it’s okay to treat you with disrespect. I can tell you now your man won’t be having that, and you do not want him to be the one to check her. He’s not as nice as you or me.”

Despite her harsh words, it felt good to have people in her corner. The year had been lonely for so many reasons. Snake came with a ready-made family who accepted her as she was, which was a rarity.

“Hey, Kal, can we get another bucket over here?” Stryker called.

“Sure thing, honey,” Kal cooed. She was a master at making every person she came into contact with feel like they were the only one who mattered. Es envied her natural charisma. She also recognized a wealth of pain lay hidden beneath her easygoing façade.

“I think your friend is showing her true colors,” Kali said as she tossed a couple of beers in a bucket and walked over to the rowdy table full of bikers Es didn’t recognize from the club.

Her heart raced as she spotted her friend walking through the door with Todd at her side. She grinned and waved. Jolene gave her a small smile and an answering wave. She wasn’t comfortable, but her presence spok

e volumes. They took a seat in front of her by the bar.

“You came,” Es exclaimed.

“Of course we did. Had to check out the place where my little sister was working,” Todd said with a playful wink.

Jole met her gaze. “You called me.”

“I didn’t like the way we left things,” Es replied.

“Me either. I shouldn’t have been so judgmental. But I was shocked, and I think…hurt. I felt like you were replacing me.”

“I could never do that. There’s only one Jolene Noll. The one who’s been my best friend for a long as I can remember. The keeper of secrets who loved me when I didn’t love myself. The things we’ve been through are ones no one else could understand. You’re precious to me.” Es reached her hand across the counter, and Jole squeezed it.

“Now what can I get you? You’ve yet to see me in action you know,” Es said.

“A Tom Collins for me. Jo?” Todd said.

“Surprise me.”

“A lemon drop martini I think,” Es said.