He sat down at the kitchen table and sifted through her pile of mail. Bills, credits cards trying to ensnare her, nothing out of the ordinary. He grunted, tossing the useless paper on the table and stalked to her room. The nightstand seemed too obvious, but he knelt down in front of it and opened the drawer. The pink vibrator and lube made him snicker. If only this were what she’d kept hidden.
He bent down and looked under the bed, rolling his eyes at the plastic bins that held sheets and blankets. What was it with chicks and too much bedding and towels? He shook his head and slipped his hand beneath the mattress.
The sound of an engine in the driveway pulled him from his browsing. He tucked the sheets back the way they were, did a quick sweep of the area with his eyes and turned out the lights before he walked downstairs. He sat at the table with his back to the wall, drumming his fingers on the table. There was nothing she could tell him other than the truth, to set this right.
The door opened and for once the thought of seeing her gave him no pleasure.
“Moose?”
He heard the door shut, and the lock click into place. Game time. “In the kitchen.”
“Today’s been long as hell. I’m so glad you’re here.” She came around the corner and grinned.
He mentally held his breath. “Oh yeah, why was it so long?”
“I had the dress fitting for me and the other girls. It wasn’t bad, but fancy dresses and heels aren’t my idea of a good time, you know?”
He forced a small smile. “Yeah, I know any other reason?” Come on Jo-Jo, don’t burn me on this.
“Like that isn’t enough?” she snickered. Her eyes darted around the room. She opened her mouth and closed it, shaking her head.
“I could think of something I’d find more taxing, but I’ll give you one more chance to come clean.”
The smile faded from her face. “What’s going on?” Concern and confusion darkened her eyes. She wrinkled her nose and narrowed her eyes.
“That’s
what I want to know.” Moose shrugged, leaning back against the chair as he studied her carefully.
Joey looked exhausted. There were circles forming under her eyes and tightness around her lips. Her shoulders were slumped and her eyes held shadows. “You know.” Her lower lip trembled.
“All I know is Hawk saw you there with the Eights tonight, buddied up with Wanderer.”
“He is not my buddy.” Her brown eyes flashed with anger.
The venom in her words were the final nail in the coffin. You didn’t hold that much animosity toward someone unless you knew them. “Why not?”
She huffed and shook her head. “Got a million and one answers. Do you have time?”
“You need to make this right by me, Joey.”
She smoothed a hand over her hair and shifted her weight. “Haven’t you wondered why I know so much about M.C.s?”
“Yes, actually.”
“My mom used to run with one, told me she did what needed to be done around the place and tried to hook an old man. In the end, she wound up with me and no claim. So she left the life behind. It’s been me and her ever since.” Her voice wavered and she dropped her gaze.
“Why didn’t you tell me it was the Eights? I wouldn’t judge you or her.” He lowered his voice. It wasn’t exactly a story you wanted to share with someone else. Maybe that’s why she and her mom are fighting.
“Because I didn’t know.”
Moose’s jaw dropped.
“She kept the details to herself and I never pushed. My mom is upfront and fearless. But too much talk about her past turns her antsy, sets her on edge and puts fear in her eyes. It was enough motivation to not push.” Joey leaned against the counter.
“Why the sudden change?”
“Because my father caught wind about us dating and decided it was time I be awarded my club status.”