Me:Of course you are. You need a girlfriend.
Ripp Burner:I’d still be here trying to kill your man until Hugh is behind bars.
Me:Tell my brother to get on that. I’m partial to the daily orgasms.
Ripp Burner:You know that you’re like my little sister right? I don’t need to hear that shit.
Me:So get rid of Hugh. >
Ripp Burner:Sounds like you have some ideas.
Me:More than some, but I’d be suspect number one. He needs to go away legally or by someone else’s hands.
“Okay, ladies, my chariot awaits. I’ll see you all at seven?” I stand, pushing my stool back against the island.
A chorus of goodbyes ring out and I hug more people than I’ve hugged in my whole life to see them again in a few hours.
“Are you staying here?” I ask Ripp when he parks outside Wyatt’s house.
“Yeah. But I’ll be walking the perimeter. Not coming in.” He rolls his window down and rests his arm on the edge.
“Let me grab you some water or something then.” I go to get out, but he laughs.
“Don’t worry. Your man already set me up.” He points out the window to the refrigerator now sitting in the garage. “He wants you safe. It’s loaded with food and drinks for me.”
“Oh. When the hell did he do that?”
“After you were asleep. A smokin’ hot woman came by with a car full of shit, and two guys brought the fridge.” He’s smiling big, watching me.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I narrow my eyes.
“I’m happy for you. This is a good family. They watch out for their own, and you deserve a family like this.”
Ripp had almost as bad of a home life as Ryder and I did. Probably worse. There are scars all over his back and chest that I’m willing to bet came from his family.
“Thanks.” Launching myself at him for a hug with tears welling in my eyes. Ripp and Damon are just as much brothers as Ryder. “I hope you find it one day for yourself.”
“You’re still good, princess. I’ve got too much dark in me.”
“You have more light than dark, Ripp. Don’t sell yourself short.” With that, I leave him to go in the house.
Shutting the door and locking it because we can’t be too careful, I head off to the shower, secretly hoping that Wyatt will come home early and join me.
Wyatt wraps his arms around my middle as I finish curling my hair. “Do we need to leave?”
“Yes! Everyone is coming to celebrate you, and if you don’t show up to tell them why, they’re going to riot.” Placing my curling iron down on the counter, I spin to face him.
“I can just send out a text.” His lips trail along the column of my neck.
“No.” I push him away. “No. We need to go. You can’t seduce me into staying. Violet has cake.”
“Mmm, what kind of cake?” He taps his chin. “Just need to see if it’s worth it.”
“It’s worth it. Trust me.” Sitting on his bed, I slip on my wedges.
“Okay, fine. We can go.” He slips on his own sneakers and pulls me up off the bed.
“You won’t regret it. I promise.” I kiss his cheek standing on my tiptoes.
