It’s there whenever she talks about the Saints Outlaws MC. When we were growing, she was best friends with a club brat. Considering her father is the mayor, who never was a big fan of the club either, she had to fight for their friendship.
I don’t know exactly what happened after graduation, but they weren’t friends anymore. She’s avoided him and the club ever since. Considering how my dad has felt about them, I keep my distance.
That doesn’t mean I’m blind.
The men who ride with the Saint’s Outlaws patch on their backs are hot. Sexy. Far too tempting for me to get too close.
“He backed off when her pregnancy came out,” I sigh. “At least there’s that.”
I’m pouting. I can’t help it. My dad’s behavior was too far. He’s gotten more strident over the years, which is saying a lot because it’s not like the man was ever chill. It’s not a mode he’s capable of.
How the man is ever going to be able to retire is a mystery to me. I can’t picture it. Literally, the concept is completely foreign to me.
“We should call her,” she muses.
“We should,” I agree. “I wouldn’t mind a chocolate chunk cookie while we’re at it,” I joke. I’m only partially joking.
They’re delicious, but the cookies would be secondary.
Graycie is an amazing person. We didn’t get super close, not like the friendship she has with Opal, who happens to be Snake’s little sister, but I’d consider her a friend.
“I bet she has her hands full,” Jessi says it slowly and grimaces slightly.
When our eyes meet, we fall into a cavalcade of giggles. It feels good and helps to melt away the last of the heaviness that always comes after talking about my dad.
I’m sure a therapist would have a field day with that. They’d tell me it’s the vestiges of the pressure he’s put on me my entire life. Honestly, they wouldn’t be fucking wrong.
Still, laughing with my best friend is just what I need. For now.
“Speaking of having her hands full,” I shoot Jessi a look and she arches an eyebrow in question, “how’s your sister doing?”
Her face softens. “She’s great,” her voice is bright and genuine. “You know I love seeing her happy.”
And Helen is happy. The Sheriff from the next county over swept her off her feet. As it should be.
Now she’s over in Sweetwater Valley, which has always been Dogwood Ridge’s biggest rival. It’s been true in high school football, which isn’t to be taken lightly around here, and it’s widely accepted that the people over the ridge in Sweetwater Valley turn their nose up at us and think they’re so much better than us.
Now, is that really true? For some people, absolutely. All of them? No way.
No one really takes the whole thing seriously. Unless we’re talking about our homecoming game. Then, all bets are off.
You better believe I don’t miss that game. I’m out there in school colors with footballs painted on my face. Because school spirit has to start with me. Right?
Jessi is always in the stands next to me.
“Good,” I sigh while ignoring a pang of jealousy that has no place here, “she deserves it.”
Jessi smiles, no doubt thinking about her sister. Helen practically raised Jessi even though they’re only two years apart. But Helen learned what it meant to not have her mom around. Jessi did too, but her sister shielded her as much as possible.
It was a shield I didn’t have.
I shake the thought away because it doesn’t matter now. The past can’t be changed.
As I flop back in my chair, I eye my bell warily and huff out, “This is going to take forever.”
Jessi cackles while waving her hand at the monstrosity in front of me. “That’s what I’ve been saying this whole time.”
“But it’ll be really cool when it’s done,” I counter.
