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He was also scary as hell.

“Hi.” I waved.

He jerked his chin up, but didn’t say anything more.

“I’d like to know about her and Black, too!” another female voice added. “I feel like I’m out of the loop!”

I turned and found several women and a man standing there looking practically giddy.

“Hi, I’m Bernice.” The closest one, who I assumed said the earlier statement, waved. “This is my brother, Creed.”

I waved.

Creed gave a chin jerk.

I knew all of the Dixie Wardens.

It was hard not to when they were such a big part of the town.

Their women, however? I didn’t know them.

They were a tight-knit group, and it was hard to get to know them when they were so insular.

Plus, me not leaving the house all that much didn’t leave much time for meet-and-greets.

“Hi, Bernice. Creed.” I waved.

“This is Eddie and Nettie.” Bernice continued her introductions. “They’re sisters.”

I waved.

I knew them.

At least, Nettie anyway. I’d seen her win the soccer thingy a few weeks ago on television. I’d watched as the entire Dixie Warden clan, women, children, and men, celebrated the win.

Even the ones that hadn’t been able to go, like Black and a few others, had been watching the game at Hopp’s.

I’d gone for my burger that I liked to have during my period.

I’d seen them all watching the game, and had waited at the counter to order for a solid fifteen minutes before I realized that no one was going to come take my order.

Though the town had treated me like shit, none of these women had.

Which was why I talked to them, even if I was a bit standoffish.

I wasn’t sure what to do with women wanting to talk to me.

Other than Opie, I’d literally been so alone.

It was funny when being arrested felt like spending time with your friends and was the highlight of your week.

“Do you want to go to lunch with us?”

Did I?

I wasn’t sure.

On one hand, I desperately craved spending time with people.