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“All I’m saying,” Cadie hurries in, “is that despite how they may act, they’re all really good guys who would protect you at all costs. I have never once felt uncomfortable here.” She gives Edge a sweet look that makes me want to kick him in the leg. “If anything, they’ve all been extremely careful to make sure that I feel safe and protected at all times.” She turns her gaze back to Briella and softens her eyes even more. “After the things that we’ve been through,” her voice is low, “this is exactly the place you want to be, trust me.”
“I can assure you, Briella,” Edge’s voice is calm and soft, and I know how damn hard that must be when I even want to ask about the fucker who scares her, “That we may be a unique brand of crazy around here, but it’s never malicious.” He eyes her for a moment. “Do you prefer to be called Briella or something else?”
She looks up quickly and almost immediately adverts her eyes. “Bri is fine with me.”
“Not using the words crazy and malicious would probably be helpful at making her feel more comfortable,” Cadie grinds in exasperation while shaking her head. “No wonder JT tried to make sure that you weren’t here,” she mutters making his eyes narrow.
“I don’t believe in lying,” he states with a shrug, so casually that it’s difficult for me to not choke. This fucker.
Cadie scoffs right in his face. “You act like I haven’t heard the stories about how you actually won over Kealy.”
“Stacking the odds in my favor isn’t lying,” he grumbles and gives me a nasty glare.
I hold up my hands. “I haven’t told her anything.”
Cadie’s eyes widen. “You knew?” She promptly rolls her eyes and huffs, “Of course you knew, you’re his best friend. You probably helped him.”
My lips purse and Edge and I sort of side-eye each other somewhat guiltily. Not that either of us feels bad, but mainly just so that the tiny woman giving us the stink eye thinks we’re repentant.
It must not work considering her next words, “Do you two have any shame?”
Edge gives her a grin. “Hey, bite size…”
“I’m an inch above that,” she hisses like a feral cat, sparks flying from her eyes.
He ignores her and continues, “You really think this fucker to my left,” he tilts his head in my direction like someone else is standing here, “hasn’t been stacking the odds when it comes to you?”
Cadie places her hands in her lap, reminding me of how her mother did on that first video call, before tilting her head and staring in my eyes. “What is he talking about, Jacob?” Her voice is low and sweet, too sweet for it to mean anything good for me.
Edge barks out a laugh, making Bri jump, “Oh fuck! She didn’t even say Jake. She went with Jacob.”
Bri looks between all of us in pure confusion. “I thought his name was Marrow?”
Edge gives her a soft look. “That’s his road name, one he earned in the club. His given name is Jacob, but only certain people are allowed to use that,” he slides a sly look over at Cadie, “mainly just the woman who is about to have his balls on a silver platter.”
I slide a glare his way. “Keep it up, dick,” I say through clenched teeth. “I’ll call Kea and tell her how you want to put a fire extinguisher next to that fancy formula bottle maker thing because you don’t trust her to even be able to make your kid a bottle without starting a fire.” I look at Sprite to see a small smile on her face before turning back to the jackass that is supposedly my best friend. “I may be dealing with a pissed off woman, but you’ll be dealing with a pissed off hormonal one who’s about to pop any day. You really feel like trying your luck?” I raise my eyebrows and give him the most condescending look I can muster.
“Do it and you die,” he growls. “I’ll make sure it’s slow and painful too. I’ll even take your bike and truck apart in front of you just to ensure the maximum amount of torture.”
“The loyalty you two have towards one another is heartwarming… truly,” Cadie drawls.
If she only knew how deep our loyalty really goes. Actually, it’s better she never understands how faithful we are. Some skeletons don’t ever need to see the light of day.
She shakes her head for a moment and holds up a hand. “We’ll be discussing what he said later.” She spears me with a look that leaves no room for argument before turning back to Edge. “Is he serious? Do you really want to place a fire extinguisher,” she raises an eyebrow, “yet another one, around the house by the bottle maker?”
Edge rubs the back of his neck. “Maybe.”
Sprite rolls her eyes, making me so damn proud with how far she’s come. And, hopefully, Bri sees the way that she can interact with us and feel safe about being here. “Seriously Edge? Isn’t that a little paranoid?”
He leans forward towards her, his face deadly serious. “She started a fucking fire while making a salad, Cadie. A fucking salad. And she hasn’t gotten much better.” I grimace because he has a point. She forgot she was boiling some eggs and started a fire when all the water evaporated. Truthfully, I think he should probably put one on each side of the bottle thing.
“Don’t forget about the fire two months ago,” I add to help his case. He really isn’t being paranoid, just proactive.
He snaps his fingers and gives me a thankful look. “Exactly, she can’t even boil eggs without starting a fire.”
Cadie rubs the side of her head and mutters, “I forgot about that one.” Her nose wrinkles. “The last time I came over, the house still smelled like burning eggs.”
Briella raises a finger in question. “Umm, how did she start a fire while making a salad?”
