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The disappointment in her voice stops me cold. Even if Emily and I are on a break, or whatever stupid thing she thinks she’s doing, I can’t ignore Libby.
“I’ll see you at the party.” I glance at her cast again. “You sure you’re all right? Getting to class okay? Need rides or anything?” I ask quickly, not giving Emily a chance to cut me off again.
“Nah, Em’s on me like white on rice. Dropping me off and picking me up from school.” Libby’s expression brightens, the corners of her mouth tipping up again. “But I’m happy to see you.”
She raises her arms and slowly wraps them around my neck. I hug her back, gently lifting her until she giggles against my ear. Her wild hair tickles my cheek, the scent of apples and peanut butter filling my nose.
“Come to think of it, I wouldn’t mind some of those chocolate marshmallow thingies.” She flashes a playful grin as I set her on her feet.
“Libby!” Emily scolds.
“I can swing by the candy shop and see if they have any,” I offer, ignoring Emily’s protest.
Libby glances up at me again. “Thank you for the flowers. They’re pretty. Most of them are even still alive.”
“Good. I’m glad you liked them,” I rasp. Emily’s presence bores into me like rays of the sun burning into my skin, and it’s time to take cover. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
Libby’s smile fades and she stares up at me. “You’re really leaving?”
“Yeah, I promised to help Z with a few things before the party.” Why does lying to this kid leave such a shitty taste in my mouth?
Anger shoots through me. I want to be patient and understanding about what Emily’s going through, but it’s also pissing me off.
Why does everything have to be so fucking complicated? Is this why I’ve avoided getting involved with anyone for so long? My natural instinct is to tell Emily to get the fuck over this and insert myself into her life whether she likes it or not. But that doesn’t feel like a recipe for a successful relationship.
“I’ll see you guys at the party.” I drill Emily with a questioning stare. “You’ll be there, right?”
“Of course.”
I nod once. “I’ll talk to you then.”
My words aren’t a threat. But I hope she understands they’re more than a promise.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Emily
Watching Dex easily talking and joking around with Libby twists me up inside.
Did I make the wrong decision?
Libby shoots a glare at me after Dex leaves. “What’s going on with you two?” she demands.
“Nothing,” I sputter, then straighten my spine and lift my chin. I’m the older sister here. I don’t have to explain myself. “None of your business.”
“Did you two break up?”
“Not your business,” I repeat, slower since she doesn’t seem to be taking the hint.
She frowns and stares at her cast. Nope. I don’t want her to get the idea our breakup is somehow her fault. “Come on. I think I’m going to change before the party.” I pick up one foot and rotate my ankle. “My feet are killing me now.”
She holds out her foot and wiggles her Converse sneaker at me. “You should’ve worn these.”
We return to Serena’s place in time for me to snag a parking spot at the end of the long driveway near one of the garages. My car will end up blocked in but we’re planning to stay over again, anyway.
As we walk to the house, more and more people seem to be arriving. Many more than the few who had been at the church. Motorcycles thunder through the quiet streets, coming to a stop either in front of the house or rumbling down the long driveway.
Serena said both of the New York clubs, and bikers from clubs even farther away, had been invited. Most of them would be staying at the clubhouse, though, not here.
“Please try to stay close to the women you know, okay?” I warn Libby.
She opens her mouth—probably to argue with me—when a motorcycle whizzes by, missing me by a few inches. We both jump onto the grass to avoid it.
“Sorry!” the rider shouts over the roaring engine.
Libby scowls at the biker. “I told Serena I’d help her with Lincoln, so she can actually enjoy the party.”
“That was sweet of you. Thank you.”
She shrugs and walks ahead of me. “I’m going to run upstairs and change so I don’t get baby puke on my dress.”
Laughing, I hurry to catch up to her. “Good idea.”
We enter through the sliding glass door at the back of the house. Lilly and Trinity seem to have taken control of the kitchen—setting up trays of blue and yellow cupcakes, cookies, and other assorted goodies. Serena’s nowhere to be found.
Lilly glances up and smiles at me. “Your words were beautiful, Emily.”
“Thank you.” I study her for a few seconds. Was she annoyed Serena didn’t ask her to be the godmother? They seem to spend an awful lot of time together now. I awkwardly point to the ceiling. “I’m going upstairs to change too, then I’ll be down to help.”
