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“Trinity,” I say. “I should’ve said so earlier, but that was the best damn dinner I’ve had in a very long time.” That doesn’t seem strong enough to convey what I feel, but it’s the most I can come up with.
Her cheeks flush. “I’m so happy you liked it.” She flicks an affectionate glance around the room. “I’d say I’ll pack leftovers for you, except there are none. But anytime you want me to make it, just let me know.”
Unlikely that I’ll ask a brother’s wife to cook for me, but it’s a nice offer.
“We’re supposed to make waffles tomorrow,” Heidi says.
Trinity nods. “Dex and Swan picked up everything you’d ever want to stick on a waffle.”
“Sounds more like dessert than breakfast,” Wrath grumbles.
Trinity playfully presses her hand against his mouth. “Easy, Reverend Sugar-Free. Let Grinder enjoy his first days of freedom before you go preaching the gospel of the no-sugar lifestyle to him.”
A sharp bark of laughter bursts out of me. “For real? You drank soda by the gallon when you were a kid.”
Wrath shrugs. “Gettin’ too old to put garbage in my body. Feel a million times better without all the sugar and—”
“Oh Christ,” Murphy moans. “Here we go.”
“Fuck off.” Wrath scowls. “You said you felt better too.”
“I do.” Murphy pats his stomach. “I’m not as rigid as you, though.” Murphy flashes a sly grin. “Then again, I’m not as old as you, either.”
“And yet”—Wrath takes a dramatic pause—“I could run circles around you.”
“Sure you can, Sasquatch.”
Wrath growls a few things under his breath. Can’t help but enjoy their good-natured ribbing.
“Uh-oh, Grinder,” Hope says. “It sounds like Wrath’s planning to pull you into his Furious Fitness cult.”
As if my body understands the conversation, a sharp pain shoots from my shoulder to my bicep. I bite back a groan and adjust my position on the couch.
“Like you’re not a card-carrying member.” Wrath grins at her then turns to me. “We’ll need to get you down there to visit.”
Pain stabs through my shoulder again. I clutch it, rubbing my thumb into the spot where it throbs the most. “Looking forward to seeing what you’ve built.”
He studies me for a few beats. “Let’s find a doc for you first.”
I’m not sure what to make of this mind reading, compassionate version of Wrath.
The conversation shifts to what I gather is Trinity’s photography business. More brothers stop by to shoot the breeze or welcome me home. A few more girls rub up against my leg. Can’t say I’m a fan of random strangers touching me, female or not.
While I appreciate the respect from my brothers, all the attention saps my energy and patience. The need to escape clamps down on my body. But where the fuck am I gonna go?
Wrath reaches over and taps my leg. “Trin and I are heading to our place. Wanna come with?”
Thank fuck. “That offer of the porch still open?” I need peace and distance from all the noise, smoke, and people.
“Yeah. Absolutely.” He nudges Trinity off his lap and they both stand.
“Ready?” She flashes a bright smile that helps me feel less shitty about invading their home.
“Looking forward to the fresh air.” I gesture toward the front door.
As if they’d been waiting for the signal to leave, Rock and Hope also stand.
“We have an extra bedroom. You don’t have to sleep on the porch,” Trinity says as we move through the crowd. “You know what? I’ll set up both and you can come in and out as you please.”
“Thanks, Trinny,” Rock says.
“No problem.” She leans in closer to me. “We’re farthest away from the clubhouse so you won’t hear much of this at our place.”
“That’s what I’m after. Some quiet.”
She tugs on my arm. “You got it.”
We lose Rock and Hope somewhere in the middle of the room. Thankfully, Wrath keeps right on moving. Trinity and I stick with him. I’ll have to catch up with Rock tomorrow. I’m dying to sprint out the door.
A chill slithers over my skin outside, but I stop to stare at the sky anyway. Clouds conceal some of the stars. The outside floodlights around the clubhouse make it hard to see much. It’s still beautiful.
I’m free.
“Stargazing is one of my favorite things to do up here,” Trinity says in a hushed voice. “We cleared a lot of trees by our house. You’ll have a nice view.”
I swear, the way she says it makes me think she understands exactly how I feel.
Wrath takes her hand and I follow them into the woods. Tiny lights illuminate a wide trail through the trees.
“My dad always said the worst thing about being inside was not seeing the sky whenever he wanted,” Trinity says softly.
Ah, that explains how she seems to know so much. “Got that right.”
“Everyone…we’re all happy you’re free, Grinder.”
“So am I, sweetheart.” Like a wave hitting the shore, a memory bounces to the surface of my mind. “Trinity? You’re Bishop Hurst’s daughter?” She has to be the same girl. She’d be about the right age.
