“Sherman.”
“Why?” I ask him, knowing the little rumors that I’ve heard going around.
“He locked her down.”
“What?!”my voice elevates as I look back at them. I had heard that he and Tate were casually seeing one another, but this seems rushed. She hasn’t dated anyone the entire time I’ve known her, so why now? Why him?
Glancing back at Collins, I finish dressing before I’m moving out of the room.
“Eli!”is shouted behind me again, and I slow to let him catch up.
Looking over, he laughs. “Get a drink with us?” isn’t really a question.
“Nah, man, I’ve got something I need to take care of.”
“Another redhead?” he laughs.
I glare at him, shaking my head. “No.”
“Shit, alright man.” He pauses, taking in my expression and shaking his head. “So, what are you up to?”
“Trust me, you don’t want to know.”
“You’re gonna go tell him?” I stop, just looking up at him again. “I get it.”
“He was my best friend for 14 years.”
He nods his head. “I get it. I’ve heard he’s warned everyone to back off of her cause she’s his.”
“You don’t understand the magnitude of him saying that.”
He nods his head again as if he understands. “I’ll cover for you.”
* * *
Walking into the clubhouse and pulling the door to the lounge open, I see him sitting in a chair with a girl straddling his lap.
“Z.” I call out to get his attention.
Glancing around her, he pauses. I can already see in his eyes how drunk he is. “Officer save-a-life.” He laughs, which just causes me to tilt my head, wondering if I should come back later, or if I should even come back at all. Who am I to come with this information when I just spent another night with his little sister, even if nothing happened, or nothing happened until the morning. I can’t tell him how it was actually his sister who showed up last night on my porch drugged, barely conscious, or how the guy his MC got rid of was planning on raping her. And I sure as hell can’t tell him I’m pretty sure we’re starting… something.
“What are you doing so far from home… and playing a civilian?”
“I need to talk to you.” I try not to roll my eyes.
He laughs at my request, probably thinking that there’s nothing I could need to talk to him about, but oh how wrong he would be.
In reality, I should come clean with him about what’s going on,but I value living too much. I meant what I told her. If it comes down to it and he puts a bullet in my head, I’d be alright with it, but I’d prefer to prolong that as much as possible. And maybe give myself something more to be shot over first.
“I’m serious, Zane.” I use his real name, getting a twitch I’m not even sure he realizes he did in response to it.
“I don’t know what would cause you to come so far south of the tracks.”
The girl on his lap giggles, which is sad because it isn’t funny.
“It’s Tate.”
Getting his attention, he shoves the girl to the ground, who hits with a gasp. It doesn’t surprise me. “What is it?” It’s surprising how he instantly sobers up. How everything in his life seemed to just stop at the mention of her.
