The despondency in her voice tore him in two. “Jo—” Moose stepped forward and paused. “Shit.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I’m in a shitty place, Jo-Jo. I could fucking wring your neck, but I respect your loyalty. I understand that. But I trust you more than I’ve trusted any chick and this feels shady.”
She glanced up and sniffled. The sound of her tears reinforced the asshole vibe that had begun to cling to him. “I’m an asshole when I’m mad, Joey, we both know that.”
“Yeah…” Her voice warbled. “I knew you’d be pissed when I told you. I never imagined you’d find out from someone else.”
An awkward tension settled between them. His skin felt too tight. The gray slate-colored walls that always set him at ease began to close in on him. He rubbed the back of his neck and walked the length of the kitchen. “I have to get out of here.” He shook his head.
“Then go.”
The broken sound in her voice made him cringe. “Jo.”
“Do what you have to. Just don’t cross a line we can’t come back from.” She leaned down over the counter and refused to look up.
With nothing left to say, he walked away before he could make matters worse.
Chapter Ten
Joey ignored the doorbell and scooped another spoonful of chocolate ice cream into her mouth. Still dressed in her pajamas from the night before, she had spent her day curled up on the couch under a blanket, watching movies. The idea was to get her mind off Moose. She failed miserably.
The doorbell rang again, followed by a knock. “Ugh.” She set her ice cream down on a coaster on the end table and stood. If this is a salesperson… Glancing out the peephole, she frowned and unlocked the door. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what are you doing here, Jul?”
“I want to know why Moose is passed out on my couch right now. He came over around nine last night and started getting trashed. I went up to bed early and left him and Shooter on their own. Both of them were sprawled out in my living room, nursing one hell of a hangover when I left.” Jul shook her head.
Joey closed her eyes, happy he’d been accounted for. Part of her thought he’d get himself into a compromising position. Lord knew, biker bunnies smelled dissention and went for the jugular when presented the opportunity. “Come on in, this will take a while.” She stepped back.
“Yeah, I could tell by the grunge wear and hasty bun.”
“Don’t kick me when I’m down.” Joey glanced down at her black sweatpants and college t-shirt.
“Joey, I’m n
ot. I’m just shocked. What kind of tidal wave hit you guys hard enough to create a rift like this so swiftly?”
Joey sighed and shuffled into the living room, plopping back down on the end of the couch. She retrieved her pint of comfort and spooned another bite of ice-cold chocolate goodness into her mouth.
Juliette joined her, waiting patiently for her to begin.
“There’s no easy way to say this really. You know how my mom said she didn’t know who my father was?”
“Yes.” Juliette nodded.
“Well, that was a lie. A giant messy one. He’s the president of the Crazy Eights, a biker gang she apparently was born into.”
Juliette looked away and looked back. “I— What?” She opened and closed her mouth, doing her best impression of a large-mouth bass.
“Yeah, you think you’re shocked.” Joey scoffed.
“And you had no clue? Because with your amassed knowledge of the club lifestyle, it’s hard to swallow.”
“No, she told me the barebones. Made me think she was a club girl, looking to be made into an old lady.”
“Why would she lie? It doesn’t fit the image I have of your mother.” Juliette pursed her lips.
“No. The reasons were credible. Her father is a member of the Eights from another chapter. A mean son of a bitch, quick with his fists and sharp tongue, stuck in the dark ages of the ’fifties. She said being transferred down here to work in the branch’s club was a godsend. She fell in love with my father, and they started an affair behind everyone’s back.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Juliette wondered.
“A very bad one. You don’t shack up with a brother’s daughter without asking for permission. Then his own father died and the club was tossed into turmoil. They couldn’t take another blow and my father couldn’t deal with the war that dear old Grandfather would be sure to demand.” Joey shook her head.