Page 53 of Fallen Flame

His jaw was clenched, his shoulders were tight, and he didn’t look at anyone as he stalked through the common room toward the front door.

“Uh-oh,” Nikki whispered.

Alice sighed and tipped her coffee mug back, swallowing the last of it in one long drink. “I think I need to give Beardilocks some attention.”

She pushed away from the table and followed Wrecker out the front door without another word.

The rest of the guys slowly filed out behind them.

Some looked annoyed. Others looked thoughtful. A few were talking quietly among themselves, but no one said anything loud enough for the rest of us to hear.

I tried not to make it obvious that I was waiting for Oliver.

I kept my eyes on my cereal. Took another bite. Stirred the milk around the bowl like I had suddenly become fascinated by soggy flakes.

Still, I watched the hallway from the corner of my eye.

Oliver was one of the last ones out.

The second I saw him, something inside me settled, which was ridiculous.

I had seen him less than twenty minutes ago. Apparently, that was long enough for my brain to decide I needed confirmation that he was still here.

I glanced down at my bowl before he could catch me staring. When I looked up again, Nikki was watching me. Not the hallway.

Me.

Her expression wasn’t suspicious exactly, but there was something there. A quiet interest that made me wonder whether my attempt at looking casual had failed completely.

Oliver walked over to the table. “Hey, Mom.”

“Hey, honey.”

Then his gaze moved to me. “Ready to go to the Dairy Bar?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

Nikki looked between us before focusing on Oliver again. “Everything okay?”

Oliver nodded once. That was it. No explanation. No extra words. Just one short nod that told her absolutely nothing.

Pipe came down the hallway behind him and chuckled. “Trying to get club business out of him?” Nikki tilted her head back as Pipe leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Just because he’s your son doesn’t mean he’s going to tell you everything,” Pipe added.

“I know.” Nikki patted his chest. “I need to hit up Arlo for that.”

“Hey,” Arlo called from across the room. “That is wildly accurate.”

A few people laughed.

Pipe straightened and looked at Oliver. “Headin’ to the Dairy Bar?”

Oliver nodded.

“Remember what Wrecker said.”

Oliver’s expression didn’t change. He nodded again.

There was clearly something all the guys knew that the rest of us didn’t, but I had a feeling asking Oliver wasn’t going to get me anywhere.