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I let out a sigh noticing the time already. It’s just before lunch as we pull up outside the clubhouse.
“Who’s that?” Mads ask.
I tuck my phone back in my pocket. “No one.” I don’t miss her lingering eyes on me.
All morning I’ve tried to work out what Jack would be showing me today. I’ve toyed with ideas of what could be so bad, he would literally turn into a ghost in order to bring it down. I’ve got nothing. Drawn no conclusions.
“I’ll go in and make sure they’re there.” Lauren opens the car door, darting to the rear entrance of the clubhouse.
“She’s keen,” I point out.
Mads smiles softly. “It’s nice to see.” She dips her head, looking to her hands on her lap.
I move my hand to the back of her neck, stroking my thumb across her skin. “What did she mean earlier?”
She looks at me, her eyes quizzical.
I raise a brow. “I overheard her this morning. The not sleeping? Not eating properly?”
Mads drops her head again. “It’s not been easy, Dean.”
“I know, babe.” Pulling her closer, she leans, and I kiss her. “But I’m here now. Okay?” Our foreheads touch, and we stay like this for a long time.
“We better go in.” Mads eventually breaks the silence.
I kiss her again before letting her go. Getting out of the car, I walk around to open the door for Mads. I hold out my hand, and she takes it as I guide her to her feet.
“Ready?” she asks.
“As I’ll ever be.”
We walk inside, the door opening to a raucous silence as they all see me. I feel Mads’ hand squeeze mine. I momentarily feel unsure of what I should do. My heart hammers in my chest, and I look around wanting to find Travis.
I see him stood resolute by the bar, Lauren by his side. She’s beaming from ear to ear. He on the other hand looks like he wants to kill me.
Mads lets the door close behind us. It’s only then the clubhouse cracks into resounding cheer.
Mobbed. It’s the only way to describe it. I keep my hand firmly on Mads, making sure none of these shitheads barrel her over as they crowd around us. I eventually manage to get her to the bar, stopping by the man I want to see most.
Travis pulls out a stool for Mads, then looks at me. “I spoke to Mollie. She didn’t say you were getting out.”
Oh, he’s really pissed off with me. Probably because I gave him a final goodbye, then showed up the next day. It’s fair. His jaw twitches, and I try my hardest not to smirk. “You so much as smile and I’ll throw you through the fucking window.”
I can’t stop it when he reads my mind. It stretches across myface.
“You’re a prick. You know that?”
Nodding, and still very much smirking, I hold out my hand.
He stares at it then slaps his hand in mine, dragging me into an embrace. “Missed you, brother.”
As if they were waiting for it, the music then starts up, and the atmosphere changes.
An hour later, the drinks are flowing. There’s food for everyone, games of pool on the go upstairs. The family I’m going to walk away from, they’ve shown up in force to welcome me home. An inkling of guilt sweeps over me, but I can’t let it take hold.
Jack will message any minute. I know this moment of happiness and togetherness is going to be broken. But for what? To drag us out of the hell we’re apparently unknowingly in. Can it be that bad?
My phone pings a text.
