When he sees me, Hud is up. “You’re hungry?”
I nod and he weaves us back through the crowd to the tables behind them. He growls, then puts his fingers in his mouth to let out a piercing whistle. I wanna learn that one. “Food is here. If you’re in line, make a line, if you’re visiting with your Brothers,” he points, “Do that on the other fuckin side.”
I laugh with a bunch of people who are, funnily enough, moving to the other side.
Knight senior slaps his back. “Good job. Train them now.”
I laugh some more. He seems like the guy that would train people, although, I’m told he shoots them too.
“Don’t we all?” LaPonte walks by asking.
“You readers need a reset so you’re not all reading us.”
Danny turns back with a smile on. “Not sure how that would work. We do know there isn’t a Brother here that has an agenda or thoughts of harm to you, the Bits, or Officers.”
Well fuck. I breathe deep. “Carry on then.”
They all laugh at me. I shrug at my smiling gray-eyed hunk next to me in bed guy. “I need food before I have to learn lines for the service announcement LP has me doing.”
He smiles and holds the plate for me to get food on it. He’s done this before, when he sits me by the ol’ ladies, he’ll come back for a plate. I don’t say a word and let him do his thing.
Apparently, his dad raised him to treat women like they’re everything because his dad didn’t puke, carry the weight of a pot belly on a tiny frame and go through hours of labor pains for him. He said his mom always explained for him and trouble didn’t find him until they died. I’d have loved to see him growingup. He’s been talking more but he’s definitely not setting the chat on fire. He gets his point across.
He pulls the chair out and I sit with Ginny, Seren and three women that I haven’t met. I get a kiss on my head and he’s gone. I smile. “I’m Sophia, that was Hud. I used to think I need a sharpie to draw lines down from his mouth.”
Seren laughs. “He’s definitely quiet but not as quiet as Zeke.” The women all laugh. “This is Jess Knight, Steve’s ol’ lady. Lily is Ben’s ol’ lady. Mel is Done’s ol’ lady, that’s Logan’s mom and dad. You know Ginny.”
“I know Ginny. Nice to meet you all. Do any of you know why you’re all here?”
They look at each other and I laugh, then they laugh with me. These would be the women in the know so I don’t feel so bad. “I feel better and welcome to Liminal Rising.”
§*§*§
“All Brothers taking part in the public service announcement, come on down!”
I take my page and stand. “I’ll be back.”
Hud meets me in the walkway and puts his hand on my back. “They said I have to look you over and fix what’s wrong. No food on your face, hair isn’t a mess and you’re dressed in clean clothes.”
I laugh. “Thanks, they have a stage manager that will double check.”
“Good. I don’t see imperfections as wrong and you’re always beautiful.” The man has me deep breathing with fly in the eye blinks so I don’t have tears in my eyes on the damn stage. “Kiss me and go sit with the guys.”
He kisses me and stops at my ear. “Roger, beaut.” The whisper has me holding in my laugh. He knows I can’t fake mad when he’s playing sweet.
“Sophie, you’re after Jordan who is after Cort.” Dreng just about drags me up the steps.
“Cort is still with the Brothers.” I point. “He’s on his way now.”
“Yeah, I’m supposed to have five ready to go. You’re number three. Megan is checking hair and makeup. No one else has makeup.”
I laugh. “Relax, Brother. I’m not worried about makeup; I don’t wear hardly any.”
He stops to look at me. “My mom doesn’t either. Neither one of you need it.”
“Thank you for that. I don’t think anyone here does. It’s too friggin hot for that torture anyway.”
He laughs. “Megan is my aunt. She isn’t an egg head but she loves everyone and works at the daycare in Champion.”
