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CHAPTER 8
MAX
“SKELETONS” — POP EVIL
The entire club was at Smoke’s house for Thanksgiving. Most of us had taken up residence out back, but a few were inside. I was over by the small fire pit that I’d helped Smoke start when I got there. Others were by the outdoor propane heaters scattered around the patio and yard.
Lacie was supposed to be here already, but she had gone by to pick up one of her friends and they were running late.
We had barely seen each other in weeks between her classes, my working at the shop, the club, and the time I spent with Luna. I was sitting out back when the screen door banged open, and I glanced over my shoulder to see my whirlwind of a sister.
“There you are!” Lacie announced. She barged down the stairs and hugged me from behind, but I quickly realized it was a ploy when she darted her hand out to steal my joint, then took a hit.
“Sure thing, help yourself,” I grumbled as I rolled my eyes. “You’re lucky I love you.”
After blowing the smoke away from us, she coughed a bit, then kissed my cheek.
The door opened again, and I looked to see who else was coming outside. I blinked slowly several times.
No fucking way.
The gorgeous brunette froze in her tracks on the top step. Her brow furrowed as her hazel eyes moved from me to Lacie and back. “I… uh,” she stammered.
Lacie loosened the chokehold she had on my neck and rushed over to the woman who was obviously her friend. Lacie grabbed her hand, dragging her closer to where I sat stunned on the weathered chaise lounge. “Luna, this is Max. Max, Luna.”
I was in shock. How did Lacie know Luna?
Her throat bobbed and her eyes glistened. Yet she didn’t say anything. Suddenly, I realized what she thought, and I quickly got to my feet.
A little taken aback by the situation, I held out a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
She dropped her hurt stare to my hand, but she made no move to take it.
Fuck, this got complicated quick. Unsure if she wanted Lacie to know we’d been hooking up, I tried again. “My sister didn’t tell me she had such a beautiful friend.”
Her jaw dropped and she slowly blinked several times. Then she smiled and it took my breath away. When she placed her hand in mine, I jolted. I swear to fucking Christ it was like electricity shot up my arm and straight to my chest every time I made contact with her.
And every single time, it floored me.
“Smooth.” She laughed. “I’ve heard a lot about you. But I thought your name was Royal. At least that’s what Lacie always called you.” She bit her plush lower lip and I nearly groaned. When she did that, it drove me crazy and she knew it.
“It’s a nickname she gave me when she was little. It’s also my road name now,” I explained, wishing I’d thought to tell her sooner. Then again, why would I? We were both very specific that what we had was just sex—casual and no strings. She’d never really seen me in my cut, so it made sense that she wouldn’t have put two and two together.
A strawberry blonde stepped outside next, the screen door slamming shut again as she let it go. We all glanced her way, but she was too busy searching the crowd in the back yard to pay us much mind. It had been a couple of years, but I’d recognize Smoke’s daughter anywhere when she pushed her hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.
Mattie had grown into a beautiful young woman, but as a freshman in college and my P’s daughter, way too young and off-limits for me. Besides, I was more interested in a certain lush brunette. And much to my disbelief, I found myself getting less and less satisfied with the casual sex agreement we had.
Mattie quickly wandered into the crowd, and I dismissed her from my mind.
The door opened again, and I wondered how many more people were coming out of the damn thing. The yard was packed already, and I thought I saw everyone here. I saw it was Nova and noticed her placing a hand on her back as she winced. Her very pregnant belly seemed like she could pop any day now, though I knew she still had another month. Poor girl.
“Luna,” she called out.
Luna turned her way and the corners of her mouth tipped up. “Yes? Did you need me to help with anything?”
Nova shook her head and gave a pained smile. “Not at all, I just wanted to thank you for all the food. You saved my ass because I was worried I wasn’t going to have enough after burning the damn turkey.”
Luna laughed, and the sound went right to my dick.
