Untitled Book 2(32)

 

Especially with Rake in the house.

 

“Are you going to come and eat?” she asks, lifting the sheets and getting out of bed, trying to tame her hair with her fingers.

 

“I’m not hungry, but I’ll come with you,” I say, not wanting her to be overwhelmed by everyone.

 

“Jesus, Vinnie, she’s fine,” Faye says, rolling her eyes. “I’ll even sit next to her and hold her hand. You rest, I’ll make sure she’s fed and well taken care of.”

 

“I’ll be fine,” Shay agrees, walking toward Faye, who loops her arm through Shay’s. The thing about Faye is, she doesn’t try to be intimidating. She doesn’t do the whole hard, cold, mean, president’s old-lady thing I’ve seen with some other clubs. She doesn’t have to—her reputation speaks for herself. All she does is be herself, someone who is funny and kind, but everyone knows that if you fuck with her or anyone she loves, you won’t even see her coming, she’ll just destroy you. Her baby bump isn’t very visible, especially with the loose dress she’s wearing. I don’t think anyone would guess that she’s pregnant with baby number two. This woman is the closest thing I have to a sister, and there really isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.

 

“You sure?” I ask, not knowing if I should stay with Shay until she gets used to everyone, or to let her find her own place here in the club, without my hovering over her.

 

Faye shoots me a look that clearly says she thinks I’m being ridiculous.

 

I smirk and snuggle back in bed as the two of them leave my room.

 

 

 

 

 

SEVENTEEN

 

 

Shayla

 

 

“HE called her a what?” I ask Bailey, who was introduced to me as Rake’s old lady.

 

“A mad bitch,” she says, eyes alight with humor.

 

I take a bite of the slice of pizza in my hand. “So she was going down on him and he called her a mad bitch?”

 

How much has changed in the dating world since I’ve been out of it? Apparently a lot.

 

“She must have mad skills,” Faye says from the other side of me, “for such an awesome compliment in the bedroom.”

 

We all laugh. I can’t believe how open the women are with one another, and no one makes any judgment. If anything, they laugh about it with the person, not at the person. I’ve never had friends like this in my life. I went to an all-girls private school, and most of the girls were bitchy, catty, and competitive. I wonder if they know how much their acceptance is worth, because some people look for it their whole lives and never get it.

 

“Any other fun Tia stories?” Faye asks her, closing the pizza box. “Tell me before Lana comes, unless you want it to end up in a book.”

 

Bailey was telling me all about her best friend, Tia, and how funny she is.

 

“I have more than enough stories, but none of them are recent. She’s been good as of late. She’s actually seeing someone, I think, but she won’t tell me anything.”

 

“AKA boring,” Faye snickers, then turns to me.

 

Before she can speak, however, I have a question of my own. “Wait just a second. Vinnie said he knew Zada Ryan, and you just said her stories could end up in one of Lana’s books. Which means . . .”

 

“Fan, are you?” Faye asks, looking at me and laughing. “I’ll take your expression as a yes, then. Yes, Lana is Zada Ryan.”

 

“Oh my god!” I whisper, wide-eyed. “Her books are awesome.”

 

I need to not fangirl right now, because that is going to be awkward if I make a total fool out of myself in front of everyone.

 

“Wait until you meet her,” Faye says, smiling fondly. “She’s sweet and quiet. Very unassuming.”

 

Anna walks back into the kitchen and sits down next to Faye. “Should we tell everyone to come over to welcome Shay? It’s like half the women are missing.”

 

Rake walks into the kitchen and grabs a chair, turning it the other way and straddling it. “Irish said Tina will be here soon. Jess will probably come after work. Who else are we missing?”

 

We’re still missing Zada Ryan, I think to myself.

 

Faye looks at her watch and stands. “I have to go and get Clover. Are we just going to hang here all night? I might do a store run and get enough stuff for dinner. What do we feel like? How about a barbecue?”

 

“Yes,” Rake immediately agrees. “I like this plan. Do you want help? Bails, do you want to come with?”

 

“No, I’ll stay here and keep Shayla company,” Bailey replies, winking at me.