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“What ‘ya need, Sunshine? I’ll get it for you since you were on your feet most of the afternoon.”
Sitting back down, I hold up my salsa bowl. “I was gonna get more salsa and chips.”
Smiling, he takes the bowl from me and a few minutes later; he sets a new one down along with a second bowl of salsa, a heaping bowl of chips, and another water.
I look up at him in surprise but he just winks at me.
“Wasn’t sure how much you wanted, Sunshine, but I can always get more if you want.”
Squeezing his hand, I dig into my chips. I’ve always been a sucker for chips and salsa. And personally, I’m just happy I’m eating more in one sitting than I have been before.
A little over an hour later, I get up to use the restroom and I’m surprised to find Timber in the hall after I’m done.
“Is everything okay, baby?”
His face tightens and my stomach knots. “We should probably head back to the house for the night.”
I look at him, confused by his change in mood. Just a moment ago, he was laughing and holding me as I sat on his lap on one of the couches. Plus, it’s still fairly early. “Is something wrong? Ugh, have the Johnson Chasers come out for the night?”
He grins but shakes his head. “Nah. Reaper told them to steer clear of the clubhouse for the night or to stick to their rooms. For those that stayed, Prospects took them some food.” He pauses and sighs. “I take it you haven’t looked at your phone in a while?”
Confused, I pull out my phone and my body tenses. My dad, er, Smoke called almost four hours ago.
Fiddlesticks.
“You can say that again, Sunshine. Come on, we should call him back.”
Crud. I must have said that aloud. Again.
“I didn’t even hear it ring or feel it vibrate earlier. It’s been in my pocket since we got here.”
“No worries, Sunshine. I told him you were cooking and had the radio on, so you probably didn’t hear it.”
Wait. “Is this tied to whatever you guys talked about in Church earlier?”
He grimaces, and the sinking feeling in my stomach gets worse.
“What happened? Is my mom okay?”
Instead of answering me, he pulls me close and kisses my temple. “Come on, Sunshine. I’ll explain more at the house.”
Numbly, I let him lead me out of the clubhouse, barely remembering to say goodnight to everyone. Judging by the grim and sympathetic looks on everyone’s faces, they know what Timber’s about to tell me.
And it’s not good.
At the door, Mama Astrid pulls me aside, hugging me tight.
“Trust in your man, dear. He’ll help you through this. Whatever else is going on, know that we’re all here for you. You can lean on us in your time of need, and later, you’ll be there to help someone through their time of need.”
Not trusting myself to talk, I nod and allow Timber to lead me the rest of the way out of the clubhouse.
I barely remember the walk to the townhouse we’re staying in.
Unlocking the door, I see the bags we got earlier on the kitchen table, but I ignore them for now. Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I head into the living room and sit on the couch, my back against the armrest. Liam stands in the doorway, looking hesitant and concerned.
“What happened, Liam? Is my mom okay?”
He opens his mouth and closes it a few times before sighing and sitting down on the couch facing me. He takes my hands in his.
