“So what I’m thinking,” he sits forward, “is that she’s got some kind of incriminating information on him, and he’s afraid to let her out of his sight.”
“Pass. Next theory.” I chuckle and rest my head back. When it’s just family around me and I’ve got a beer or two going, my anxiety doesn’t tend to be a problem.
“Okay, how about…” He rubs his chin as River pulls into the car park and makes his way down the hill, having already changed out of his uniform and into swim trunks. “I got it! She feels sorry for him!” Hawk snaps his fingers.
River motions for Molly to walk with him, and she strolls beside him to the dock, taking his offered hand to step from the concrete block over to the wood planks. A growl rumbles deep in the back of my throat and only relents when she’s on safe footing and he drops her hand.
“Sup assholes? You see that Forest brought a woman?” River plops down into the chair next to Hawk.
“Why? What’s the big deal?” Molly’s voice is a soft and silvery contrast to all the gruff baritones on this dock. She heads for the seat next to me.
“He doesn’t date,” I explain, reaching for her waist and guiding her over to my lap. I settle her across my legs and keep a protective arm around her back.
“Yeah, more acutely, he doesn’t do next mornings, let alone family gatherings,” Hawk points out.
“Nails and bails,” River tacks on. “He’s out of there so fast he leaves a trail of fire behind.” He demonstrates, cutting his hand through the air.
Molly’s nose crinkles like she’s half entertaining our antics and half dismissing them. “Maybe he’s met his game changer.”She shrugs, and my thumb instinctively starts stroking circles on her lower back.
“Speaking of game changer,” River pipes up again. “If you needed a husband that bad, you know there are better options.” He smirks, which garners him a middle finger from me and an eye roll from Molly.
“Yeah, we actually smile on occasion,” Hawk says as Forest makes his way with a loaded plate.
“Wolf smiles,” Molly offers.
Hawk makes a show of spitting out his beer. “Tell us everything! Did his face crack? Did you have to fix it with surgical glue?”
“Have you guys tried these meatballs?” Forest asks, stabbing one with a fork as he takes a seat.
River is undeterred. “Molly, can I marry you when you’re done with him? I snore less.” He raises his hand like he’s volunteering.
“No, she needs to divorce Wolf and marrymeif this is what I’m missing out on,” Forest says and moves more food around on his plate before looking up at her. “Hey, you guys haven’t consummated your marriage yet, have you? Like what kind of chance do I have?”
“Oh dear God,” Molly mumbles, but there’s a lilt in her voice that tells me she’s enjoying the infantile idiocy. “Sorry guys,” she lets out a cleansing sigh, draping her arm over my bare shoulders and my cock wakes up in my trunks, “I kind of like him.”
“So wait… Does that mean he does, in fact, have a phallus and he knows how to use it?” Hawk brings his beer up to his lips but I smack it away as Molly’s shoulders shake with embarrassed laughter. “Douche,” he mumbles as he bends down to retrieve it from the deck floor.
Forest holds up a hand and his fork. “Hawk, the line is right here, and you’re like way out here…” He does his best to demonstrate without tipping his plate.
River shifts in his chair. “So what do you think, Lady Feral? Having fun?” He tips his chin at Molly.
“Excuse me?” She arches a brow over her sunglasses while her lips form a hesitant smile. “Lady Feral?”
“Don’t listen to this douche bag.” I wave River off.
“Just kidding with you.” He shakes his head, and to his credit, it’s sincere. “When Wolf first told us about you, he said you lived alone in the woods, but I know you don’t eat squirrels or anything.” He chuckles to himself.
Molly perks up in her chair. “They’re actually not as gamey as most people would think.”
River freezes, looking straight ahead at her. “What?”
Even I’m curious to know where she’s going with this thought, though I don’t let on.
“Squirrel meat,” she clarifies, plainly. “It’s actually really great filler. I add it to other meat-based dishes. So cost efficient.” She raises and drops her shoulders, looking slightly smug.
“So… You actuallydoeat squirrels?” Even with his sunglasses on, it’s clear that River is stone faced.
Molly’s brows draw inward. “Well…yeah. What do you think is in those meatballs Forest just hoovered?”
