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Reilly lifted her plastic cup high in the air. “Hear! Hear! Now someone’s talking some sense. I should be able to sleep with whoever I want to. Fury member, hang-around, Joe Schmo or even the Easter fucking Bunny. Who cares?”
“I care,” Reese said. “I don’t want you getting hurt again.”
Reilly sighed and as she lifted her glass to her lips, she spotted Amber approaching Rev from behind. He was unaware she was there until the sweet butt tucked her arms under his cut and wrapped them around his waist, pressing herself to his back. And not in a friendly bear hug type of way, either.
Reilly could only imagine what her hands were grabbing onto on the front side of the biker.
She began to stand but forced herself back to her seat. She couldn’t say anything and she definitely couldn’t go over there and act like some jealous bitch. She needed to remain where she was and not let any of what was normal activity between the single bikers and the sweet butts bother her.
It never bothered her before. It shouldn’t bother her now.
Rev turned in Amber’s arms with a frown and Reilly was right. Amber was grabbing his crotch and giving him a big smile.
And probably an offer to take care of his business for him in one way or another.
Reilly sucked air through her nostrils and more wine down her throat before forcing her attention back to the ladies.
Shit. What had they been talking about?
Oh, yeah, the list that she, Tessa and Saylor were on. And now Maddie and Josie, too. The “They’re Not Virgins But Let’s Pretend They Are” list.
She grimaced and peeked back over in Rev’s direction again. Amber had moved on, thankfully, and he now had his sister pulled off to the side. They were having what looked like a serious conversation. Maybe he was telling her what happened in Coatesville. Reilly couldn’t see Saylor’s expression because Rev’s broad body blocked her.
“Did you start unpacking your boxes yet?” Reese’s question snapped her back to the pavilion.
“Not yet. It took forever to unload them from the car yesterday. That’s one downfall of living on the second floor.”
“You should’ve called. Deke and I would’ve come over to help carry them up.”
“I needed the exercise.”
“So, who did you visit with? Did you girls have fun?”
Suuure. We lived in a horror movie during the day and a porno at night.
“Yes, it was nice to see some of my old friends,” she fibbed.
“I bet they were worried when they found out what happened to you.”
“I didn’t bring that up.”
“Well, they’re welcome to come up here to visit anytime.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Reilly said smartly.
A few emotions crossed Reese’s face and none of them were good.
They also made Reilly feel awful for causing them. “Sorry.”
“Me, too,” Reese said softly. “I know you want to do your own thing, Reilly, I do. I also know I’m overprotective, but you know why. I’m trying to do better, I am. I’m sorry I’m failing at it. Taking care of you and being worried about you is deeply ingrained in me. It has been since the moment you were born. It’s a hard habit to break.”
Reilly squeezed her eyes shut for a moment because that unfamiliar sting was bothering her again. She thought about how Saylor and Rev grew up. In a totally rigid and loveless house.
Reese always tried her best, even when she didn’t have to. Even when it wasn’t her responsibility. Reilly never felt unloved by her. Not once.
Reese, even as a child, had done a better job at being a parent to Reilly than John and Rachel Schmidt had ever been to Saylor and Rev.
She opened her eyes and grabbed Reese’s free hand, giving it a squeeze. “No. I’m sorry. I’m lucky I had you.”
“You still have me. No matter what.”
“And you have me,” Reilly said. “Always.”
Reese gave her a soft smile and cleared the thick from her throat. “That’s what family is for… Anyway, I’m excited for this new opportunity for you.”
“Me, too. I love you and I love this crazy, patchwork family of ours. It’s crazy how we ended up here but I’m glad we did.”
Reese nodded. “I never, ever could have imagined it.” She laughed and shook her head. “Look at me, wearing a leather vest that says I’m property of a man.”
“Hell froze over the day you first put that on. But seriously… I doubt Deke holds you to that.”
Her sister’s expression turned serious. “He’d like to.”
“But he doesn’t. I don’t think he’d ever want to try to take away how strong and independent you are. He loves that about you.”
“And I love that he respects that. Which is why I wear his cut on club runs without an argument. I do it for him.”
Reilly wouldn’t doubt Reese wore it for herself, too. Deacon made her realize there was so much more to life than burying herself in her work. Every time she donned Deacon’s cut and climbed on his sled, Reese allowed the pressures of life to fall away. Even if only temporarily.
