Page 9 of Property of Gray

“Meat’s taking a beating.”

“What?”

He glances in the rearview mirror. “The groceries.” He shakes his head as I fiddle with my seatbelt. “Get your head out of the gutter.”

“You’re one to talk. Won’t Madz be jealous if you’re back on with Kaylene?”

“I’m not starting up shit and who I fuck is about as much Madz’s business as it is yours.”

Ouch. “Noted.” He’s so hot and cold. “I just thought the two of you had something going on,” I mumble, turning my head to glance out the window. “So when is this other club arriving?”

“Tonight or tomorrow. You excited for the rally?”

“I don’t know. If you’ve been to one, you’ve been to them all.” I shrug. I’ll be shocked if I actually get to go this time. I’m usually the one stuck staying behind to run the office. I’ve not been the past two years.

Only this time I’m riding on the back of Gray’s bike.

Not Madz.

Not Kaylene.

Me.

I’m surprised my brother agreed so easily. We were all sitting around the bonfire shooting the shit when I mentioned I wanted to go to the rally this year to get a tattoo from Venom. Shaggy offered to let me ride with him, but it was Gray who spoke up and said I’d ride with him. Woods didn’t object. But I guess who better to entrust his sister to ride with for thousands of miles than his VP and best friend?

I shake out of my thoughts at the sound of my name coming from Gray’s mouth. “Are you going to help or sit here and daydream?”

Blinking, I glance out the window, realizing we’re at the clubhouse.

I roll my eyes and exit the truck. A few of the guys come out to help and I leave them to it. Of course Faye is nowhere to be found when there is any type of labor needing done. I shouldn’t be surprised. Gray and I trade looks. I wish I knew what goes through his head.

I can’t tell if he pities me or wants to jump my bones.

I get started prepping food for our visitors and wondering where we are putting them all.

Caves and Cash answer my unspoken question when I overhear them talking about someone running the bush hog over the field so they can set up their tents to camp out for a few days.

“Want some help?” Madz asks, peering around the doorway of the kitchen.

She may not be one of my favorite people, but she’s not afraid to work or get her hands dirty.

I put her to work peeling potatoes while chop onions and slice tomatoes. Gray starts toward me but takes one look at Madz and darts out the back door.

“What was that about?” I question, not really expecting an answer. We aren’t exactly friends, but we tolerate one another.

Madz glances around to make sure we’re alone. “I want to tell you something, but you’ve got to promise me it will stay between us.”

“Of course,” I promise, knowing whatever she tells me I will dissect it later on the phone with my bestie, Elsie Jo.

“Don’t get mad and shoot the messenger.”

“You’re worrying me.”

“It’s not bad. I swear. I mean, it’s good depending on how you look at it.”

“Okay.”

She takes a breath. “Maybe put down the knife first.”