He takes one last drag and crushes the end on the railing to put it out. “Sorry.”
I lean my head against his arm. “No, it’s okay. I’m not a fan exactly, but I know what you mean. The smell reminds me of summer nights with the window open, knowing that you guys were outside.”
“Wanna go inside?”
I shake my head. “No. It’s nice out here. Quiet. And I can’t hear Mom snore.”
He laughs softly, then shifts to put his arm over me and rest my head on his chest. “How’re you holding up? That was some fucked up shit today, and you didn’t get much time to process it.”
“I think I’m okay. The attack happened so fast, and Sinner was right there. It was all over almost before I even knew what was happening. The really scary part is knowing that someone is trying to hurt me, or at least scare me. Mom set up a meeting tomorrow with someone who’s supposed to be good at this sort of thing.”
“We aren’t going anywhere,” Priest snaps, with a bit of a growl in his voice.
“No! I know. He’s more for the media side I think, and to organize everything.” I slide my arms around him and lean into his warmth. I can feel his heart beating, strong and steady. “Can I ask you something?” I’m treading dangerous ground here, but it feels like the right time.
“Of course.”
“What are we doing?”
He lets out a brief exhale, like a little laugh. “Gonna have to be more specific, Q.”
Gathering courage, I clutch him just a little harder. “The other night, I really wanted you to kiss me. That wasn’t just me, right?”
“No, that wasn’t just you.” He brushes his fingers through my hair, an innocent gesture that feels anything but right now.
“Sinner kissed me,” I confess.
“I know. I was there.”
“No, not just then. When he dropped me off, too.” Maybe I don’t quite know what I’m asking, I just need to get rid of the vague feeling of guilt that comes with liking it when they all flirt with me.
“Was he good? Did you like kissing him?” He doesn’t sound jealous at all. Curious, maybe?
“Y—yes?”
“We only go around once, Q. If you liked it, that’s your answer. If you didn’t, then tell him to back off, or if you’re uncomfortable, I’ll do it for you. I don’t see the problem.”
“But…”
“You worried about getting between us? That maybe me and him want the same thing from you?”
I nod against him. “Or that I want the same thing from both of you.”
“What about Colt? I saw you together at Inferno, and I’ve seen the way you sneak a look when you think he won’t notice.” There’s a soft note of amusement in his voice.
“Colt? I haven’t spent as much time with him. Why are you pushing me at your friends?” I push away from Priest so I can get a better look at his face when he answers. “If it’s too weird because you knew me when I was little, I understand. You don’t have to try and hook me up with someone else.”
“Hook you up with… Quinn, what the fuck are you talking about? There’s no jealousy between the three of us. We’re brothers in all the ways that matter. Shit, I’m not used to talking to people who don’t know the score. Sharing isn’t an issue, not for us.”
“What do you mean?”
“No one’s gonna make you do something you don’t wanna, but I’m telling you this straight out. If kissing Sinner feels right, or suddenly Colt is looking really fucking good, it’s not going tofuck anything up. Life’s too fucking short, especially in an MC. We’re not exactly known for dying of natural causes.”
His words bring to mind all the vests on the wall in the church.
“So you’re saying I shouldn’t read too much into it. That sex and stuff is no big deal for you guys?”
“Is that what you want?” he asks. “No strings attached sex?”
