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“We’re flower girls,” Lyric said. “We get new dresses. Can you come to the wedding, too?”
“Oh, I’m sure I can beg for an invite,” Exile said and grinned at York.
As the family room filled up, I returned to the recliner and rested my foot.
Nearby, Nova and Lula talked about side dishes. I heard them mention various pasta salad options. Yarrow stopped cuddling with the dogs and pointed out how she didn’t want anything with olives.
Not wanting to cook, Elle jumped on my lazy bandwagon and claimed Trent from Zodiac. “I need to care for my baby.”
“I’ll command the grill,” Zodiac announced and headed for the back door. “I should also make sure Sutter isn’t learning bad habits from Boone’s father.”
“Why is he only my father?” Boone asked me.
Grinning at my six-foot-four brother, I shrugged. “Because Zodiac is intimidated by me. You should try being more aggressively rude to him. It’s worked well for me.”
Boone leaned down and kissed my head. His warm eyes held such love for me. When I looked at Boone, I saw the small boy forever at my side. I still remember the day I realized he was taller than me. My heart had broken a little, thinking he’d no longer be my baby brother. Somehow, I thought that him outgrowing me physically meant our fun together would be over.
Decades later, I smiled at my brother and enjoyed how our lives remained intertwined. His wife rebuilt this house and turned it into a home that I would now call my own.
YORK
Goldie stayed inside for most of the evening, despite how most people found their way to the backyard. I could tell she was worn down from her medications. She barely ate her grilled chicken and potato salad. As I moved in and out of the house, I noticed Goldie’s eyelids fighting to stay open.
The backyard remained bright even after sunset. Lanterns lit the patio and play area. String lights hung along the fence.
By then, most of us sat out back, talking and laughing. Nearby, the kids played. Inside, Goldie and Yarrow crawled into my bed for a nap.
After checking on Goldie, I returned outside to find Nova and Elle goofing around with the kids on the playset. Lula held Trent while talking to Dylan on the patio. Blackjack sat near the play set and brushed Junior. I was about to join him when Zodiac, Exile, and Boone cornered me.
As the four of us moved to a corner of the wide yard, Boone soon realized my president wasn’t interested in interrogating me. Zodiac’s questions were for the Crimson Guard member.
Zodiac asked, “Is Tricky thinking of disbanding the LM Jokers?”
“Ask Clint,” Boone said and stepped back.
“Your best bud is keeping his trap shut. He hasn’t fessed up to Elle, either.”
“If Clint chooses to remain tight-lipped, why would I tell you anything?”
Zodiac replied, “Because you’re married to Nova, and she’s tied to this club.”
Narrowing his dark eyes, Boone muttered, “That’s not how it works, and you know it.”
Zodiac refused to control his temper. “If Tricky disbands the Jokers, where do the remaining Baton Rouge fuckers go?”
“I don’t know.”
“Can they join the Crimson Guard?”
“Probably not,” Boone said and shrugged. “We’re only open to people tied to the former Little Memphis club and those clubs in Rawlins. On the other hand, those Baton Rouge guys showed loyalty to Tricky by warning our people about the attack. I guess their behavior ought to be rewarded, but that’s Clint’s call.”
“What do you know about Tricky’s condition?”
“Why would I know more than you do?”
“You’re from Rawlins,” Zodiac grumbled, irritated by Boone’s stonewalling. “So is Cher, who’s at the hospital with Tricky every day.”
“How do you know what Cher does with her days?”
