Page 68 of Outlaw Xmas
“Do we ever.” Addie laughed.
“I love having such a close-knit relationship with all of you. It helps me understand the love the brothers have for each other,” Belle said.
Cherri and Addie bobbed their heads in agreement. Cherri sat back and stretched her arms over her head. “I wish we could get through to Sofia,” she said softly.
“Me too,” Addie said.
“We can’t stop trying even though Tigger makes it hard by not letting her socialize that much. I talked to Banger about it, and he said that he’d tell Tigger that one of Sofia’s duties as an old lady is to help out and be active with club events. I know she wants to be a part of the group, but the sonofabitch won’t let her,” Belle replied.
“I’m so glad you talked to Banger about her, Belle. I know she wants to get out, but she’s feeling trapped. I can understand that.” Cherri cast her gaze downward.
Addie’s heart went out to her. From what Cherri had shared with them over the past few years, Addie gathered that she’d had a lot of horrible things happen to her. The fact that Cherri was still standing spoke volumes about her strength.
“We better finish up these bags. Before you know it, school will be letting out.” Belle picked up several bags from the chair next to her. “Did you all hear that stupid rumor Doris was spreading about Hawk and Cara?” Addie and Cherri shook their heads. “No? Well let me tell you what she told Cara….”
***
The scratch underAddie’s eye was red and swollen. Pulling open her makeup drawer, she took out her concealer and dabbed it on, wincing with each stroke. She didn’t want to field any questions from Jack, especially since she’d gone on and on about him getting into a fight at school. Groaning inwardly, she brushed on a thin layer of foundation, then examined her reflection—the welt was barely visible. A swipe of lipstick and gloss made her skin shine, and as she ran a brush through her hair, she saw Chas come up behind her.
“Thanks for picking Jack up after band practice. It took longer than I expected making up all the gift bags.”
“Especially since you took time out for a boxing match.” He nuzzled up to her.
Her shoulders curled forward. “You heard?”I asked Cherri and Belle not to say anything.
“Brianna called me, cussing up a storm. She said you decked her for no reason. Knowing you and her, I’d say she must’ve really pissed you off.”
“I can’t believe I hit her. I shouldn’t have done it, but she just touched a nerve and all reason went by the wayside.”
“It’s fine, precious. Brianna can get under your skin. Believe me, I know. I found it incredibly sexy that you defended your turf.”
“What did she say?”
“That she came over to see Jack and you went all defensive and jealous. I knew that was a crock of shit. She got super pissed when I told her that she probably deserved the beatdown you gave her.” He chuckled.
Addie moaned. “Don’t call it that.”
“Then the wallop.”
“No, it was a beatdown. I succumbed to that on the porch in front of our neighbors.”
“I fuckin’ love it.” He whirled her around and kissed her deeply.
She giggled. “Your lips wear my lipstick nicely.” Even though fighting was a part of Chas’s world, she never considered it a part of hers, so she wasn’t proud of the fact that she’d kicked Brianna’s butt. She could only imagine what would’ve happened if Cherri and Belle hadn’t been there to break it up. “She said she’s going to take me to court.”
“She’s not gonna do shit. She’s always had a big fuckin’ mouth. I told her she’s not to come over to our house ever again.”
“I mean, if Jack wants contact with her, I don’t want to forbid it.”
“Jack doesn’t want anything to do with her. She was a shitty mom and he knows it. He adores you, and he’s been happy ever since she went away and you came into our lives. She’s just doing this shit because she thinks it’s gonna get her and me back together. That’ll never happen, babe. You’re stuck with me for life.”
“And you’re stuck with me.” Placing her hand on the back of his neck, she drew him close and kissed him deeply.
“Let’s take the kids and go out to dinner,” he said as he cupped her ass.
“I can’t. Tonight’s ladies’ night out, remember?”
“Fuck, I forgot.”
