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I grinned and slapped him on the back. Maybe that would have bothered most men, but Chance and I had shared the same girl. A clean pair of shorts was nothing. “Have fun with Brynn today.” I messaged Pierce that I’d be on my way shortly.
“He will,” Brynn said from behind me. I whirled around to tease her about making a list for me already, but she looked like shit. Dark circles nestled beneath her eyes. She’d piled her red hair on the top of her head in a messy bun. “I bought these from Target for you this morning. Thought you might need them.” Brynn held out a bag for me, and I took it from her, my gaze not leaving her for a moment longer. I’d known Brynn for as long as I’d known Chance and not once, even when she was sick, had she appeared this rough. Something wasn’t right.
“Well, don’t just stare at me. Look at what I got you.” Brynn placed her hands on her hips and tapped her toe against the wood floor.
There she is.
I peeked in the bag and nearly groaned with joy. I rummaged through the items and smiled as I identified toothpaste, a toothbrush, hairbrush, deodorant, a package of boxer briefs, a plain T-shirt, and a pair of black basketball shorts.
“At least you won’t stink like smoke,” she said, scrunching up her freckled nose at me.
I wrapped her in a huge hug. “Thank you.” Squeezing my eyes closed against all the bad shit that was happening, I enjoyed a moment with one of my best friends. “I’d be lost without you.”
“I know,” she replied, then stepped back. “Chance and I will pick some things out for you from the mall, but I figured these would get you started.”
“I need to shower before I head to Pierce and Sutton’s. He has some news but won’t discuss it over the phone.”
Brynn placed her palms together and closed her eyes. “I hope it’s about River. I miss her so fucking bad,” she whispered.
I stared at her. That was it, Brynn was as lost as I was without River, and it was affecting her sleep. Inwardly I groaned with relief.
“I’ll update you as soon as I hear more.”
Suddenly she clapped her hands a few times. “Chop, chop, Holden. Hurry your ass up! I need to know if they’ve found her.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Brynn had always been a little on the bossy side, but she was right. The clock was ticking.
Twenty minutes later, I’d replaced the thick smell of smoke with a citrus body wash. I wasn’t sure how Brynn slept next to me last night. Between the body odor and fire, it wasn’t a good thing.
I told everyone bye as I hurried out of the house to locate Zayne, but he was already waiting by the car.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves on the aspen and maple trees. One thing about Chance’s place that I loved was the privacy. Even though he had neighbors, it was quiet and peaceful as hell. I needed that right now.
“Morning,” Zayne said as I neared the Mercedes.
“Morning. Pierce said—”
He held his hand up. “I know. It’s why I’ve been waiting on you.”
I hopped into the passenger side, then realized that my Beemer and River’s Mercedes were in the club’s garage. Fuck. We’d probably lost our vehicles.
“I’m glad you don’t mind driving me around. I’m not sure if our cars survived the fire yesterday.”
“You never know. If they did, you’ll need to have them detailed to remove the smell of the smoke. Honestly, it might be better if they’re totaled. The insurance would pay out the money at least.”
I nodded as Zayne started the car, then eased out of Chance’s driveway.
Zayne peered in the rearview mirror. “He’s got a nice spot back here. It’s secluded.”
“Yeah, it is.” I glanced back and realized he’d added a row of shrubs, partially obscuring the tan house. I nearly chuckled, remembering the first time he’d brought me over to see it … before he rehabbed the fuck out of it. He’d pulled up to the garage, and I’d laughed so hard I couldn’t breathe. The elderly lady that had lived there prior had painted it bright pink with green trim. It looked like a fucking dollhouse. Chance couldn’t have cared less. He saw the potential of the place along with the acre of wooded property it was nestled into. A large oak tree shaded half the residence, which was perfect for Spokane’s hot summers. One thing I respected about Chance, he had the ability to see beneath the surface, then turn the lump of coal into a diamond.
I appreciated that a ton since he worked for me. Sometimes I got stuck in the smaller picture. Chance could envision the larger one. We complemented each other in business well. Regardless of what happened with the club, I’d want Chance and River by my side on the next adventure.
“Holden?” Zayne asked.
“Yeah?” I reached for the sunglasses that I’d left in his car yesterday and slipped them on, blocking out some of the blaring, cheerful sunshine.
“Did Pierce mention why we’re meeting them?” Zayne focused on the winding road before us, keeping his speed steady at five miles over the limit.
