With a smile, I nod with understanding. “At least the fair is coming up. Hopefully, you get some time to have some fun.” I turn my attention toward Opal and Graycie. “I was just thinking about chocolate chunk cookies.”
“I know how much you love them,” Graycie teases me.
It’s my own damn fault that I haven’t talked to her in too long. The end of the school year is hectic and then I hibernate for a little while to regain my strength. Because the push to state testing and finals is kind of ridiculous.
I charge my batteries with junk food, binge watching the shows I’ve missed, and sleeping in a cocoon of blankets like I’ll reemerge as a butterfly. What actually emerges involves a ratty messy bun, clothes with questionable stains, and the need to clean my place.
Seeing Graycie now is kind of like a revelation. She’s glowing. I never truly understood what people meant before when they would say that about someone. But I can see it now in her.
And she doesn’t seem mad at me for my dad’s behavior. Which is a relief. Honestly, I wasn’t sure. I wouldn’t blame her if she did.
My voice goes soft as I step closer to her, “You look really happy, Graycie. I love seeing it.” Regret fills my words, “I heard about your pregnancy.” Can she feel my shame? It feels suffocating; and it’s all because of my dad’s feelings about the club. “Congratulations. Hopefully, one day, in many, many years, I’ll have them in my class.”
I’m thrilled for her. She deserves all the happiness in the world and the fact that she’s no longer looking over her shoulder with fear in her eyes is something I’m grateful for.
Graycie’s smile grows and then before I know what’s happening, she’s hugging me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this woman initiate contact with someone. When I met her at Bunz Out for the first time, she was skittish. It felt like she was just waiting for someone to jump out and grab her.
Not anymore.
I hug her back and grin like a fool. Opal winks at me when I look up at her from over her best friend’s shoulder. She had a front row seat to everything, and I can’t deny that I’m a little jealous.
“Thank you,” she breathes. “I’m incredibly happy.” Her voice lowers even further as she teases me, “You should think about getting yourself a biker.”
I can’t help but giggle and shake my head at my friend as she lets me go. “I don’t see it happening,” I tell her.
It’s not like I don’t have eyes. I do. The men of the SOMC are hot. It’s kind of unfair and a little unreal.
While I don’t think being handsome is a requirement, I do know there’s a lot of legacy involved when it comes to the club and its members. Bolt is a great example.
His father is a club member and so is his brother, Scratch. Wright, which was the name I knew Scratch by, was a grade ahead of me in school. We didn’t exactly run in the same circles.
Now Bolt will join them.
In a way, I envy what he has. It’s obvious how close everyone is when it comes to the club. They watch each other’s backs. Now Graycie is part of it all; I couldn’t be happier for her.
“You’ll have to have your biker take you to the Monroe County Fair,” I tell Graycie and wiggle my eyebrows.
“I’ve seen the fliers around town,” she tells me, her eyes sparkling. “I’ve been promised a ride on the Ferris Wheel and a funnel cake, which I’m really looking forward to.”
“Yes,” Opal agrees, “I’m going to have one every day.”
“Just one?” Graycie teases.
“At least one,” Opal corrects herself and we share a laugh.
“Ms. Lyons.” The words come from behind me and I turn to find Josiah. He’s a junior now and a member of Youth in Government.
“Hi, Josiah,” I greet him.
He gives a little nod toward Bolt, but then he turns his attention toward Opal and Graycie with a charming look on his face I know well. He’s going to be a heartbreaker or a salesman; I haven’t decided which yet.
I don’t think he has either.
“Hi,” he greets Opal and Graycie, “are you ladies planning on attending the fair coming up?”
One corner of Opal’s mouth twitches and I have to bite my lip to stop myself from giggling. Bolt’s eyes narrow, but I have no doubt that he knows Opal can take care of herself.
“Of course,” Opal chirps, “it’s tradition.”
