Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Once I’m alone, I send Margot an actual text. It’s as inadequate as it is true.
I miss you.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Jigsaw
Rooster and I roll through the gate into Upstate’s clubhouse yard just before two. The lot’s already full—bikes lined up along the fence, a few trucks and SUVs parked near the garage, and Dex pacing in front of the garage like a junkyard dog looking for an ass to chomp.
After we shut off our bikes, Ravage pops out of the garage. That must explain Dex’s pinched expression.
“Look who finally dragged their asses here,” Ravage yells when he sees us. “Was starting to think you two joined the circus.”
“Not when my favorite clown’s right here,” I shoot back, flipping off my helmet.
Dex walks over and gives each of us a quick embrace. “Thank fuck you’re here. He’s encroaching on my territory.” He waves one hand toward the garage.
Aw, shit. I should’ve stopped by Downstate’s clubhouse to see if anyone needed anything. At least pretend I’m doing my actual road captain duties.
“I was helping,” Rav says, joining our circle.
“Welcome back,” Rooster says to Dex. “How was your trip?”
“Good. We had fun.” His lips quirk. “Libby didn’t burn down the house while we were gone.”
“Can’t ask for more than that.” Rooster lifts his chin at the clubhouse. “Everyone inside?”
“Fuck no.” Dex laughs. “Rock, Wrath, Z, and Murphy aren’t even here yet.”
I glance past Dex and run my gaze over the line of SUVs. “Grinder here?”
“Yeah. He’s in the dining room with Serena.”
Murphy and Teller pop off the path from the woods. Murphy lifts a hand and waves.
“You didn’t run your ATV up here?” Rooster shouts to Teller.
Teller shakes his head and jerks his thumb at Murphy. “No, Charlotte and the twins are at his place with Heidi. I drove them up.” He nods to a ridiculously oversized blue SUV.
“You went with the Escalade?” Rooster asks him.
Teller nods. “The smaller one. Not the ESV.”
“Small?” I snort. “It’s the size of a school bus.”
Teller cocks his head and inhales a slow, patient breath. Kinda similar to the way Rock does when he’s thinking of choking one of us. “Two kids and all their shit take up a lot of space.”
“Jiggy doesn’t need to worry about that.” Rav holds out a fist toward me. “We have a no procreating pact. Right, brother?”
I hold out my own fist and tap his knuckles lightly. “I don’t remember agreeing to that, but whatever.”
Everyone stops and stares at me.
“Awww, you and Margot would have cute little babies,” Murphy jokes with a doofy grin on his ginger-bearded face.
My jaw locks shut. No snarky comeback slips onto my tongue. Margot’s so patient and calm. She’d be such a good mom.
“Shut your mouth.” Rav points a finger in Murphy’s face. “Just because you’re trying to spawn an entire football team, doesn’t mean Jiggy has to abandon his commitments.”
Murphy rolls his eyes and slaps Rav’s hand away. “Whatever.” His gaze lands on me and he frowns. “You all right, Jiggy? You look like you’re gonna hurl.”
I swallow hard. “I’m fine.”
“Oh, shit.” Rav’s eyes widen. “You didn’t knock Margot up already, did you?”
“It’s getting really disturbing how obsessed you are with everyone’s procreation plans,” Dex says.
“I’m not obsessed.” Ravage tugs on his cut and lifts his chin. “I’m concerned.”
“It’s weird,” Murphy says.
I clear my throat and gesture toward Teller’s new ride. “Does Charlotte like it? Did you make her get rid of that sweet Raptor?”
“Make her?” Teller scoffs. “No. She loves that truck. I wouldn’t ask her to trade it in.” His shoulders shake with laughter. “She said she wanted something bigger, but she hasn’t wanted to drive this yet. It’s ‘too big’.”
“Why?” Murphy glances at me. “You finally want to upgrade that busted-up 4Runner of yours?”
“Don’t talk shit about my truck,” I snap. “That ol’ girl’s got more miles on her than you do.”
“Doubt that,” Ravage snarks. “What’s wrong, Jiggy? Why so touchy today? Margot dump you already?”
“Shut up,” Rooster growls.
“Wait, hold up.” Ravage’s gaze swings between Rooster and me. “Did she? I got twenty bucks ridin’ on this with Stash.”
“For fuck’s sake, seriously?” Teller groans.
“Dude.” Murphy grimaces. “You’re betting on his sex life? That’s weirder than you commenting on our family planning.”
“No,” Rav says defensively. “I’m betting on whether or not he comes to his senses.”
“Do you ever stop running your mouth?” Rooster gives Rav a quick shove.
Christ, brother. Could you be more obvious? I shoot Rooster a knock it off look.
“Margot’s actually a cool chick.” Rav touches his fingertips to his chest. “I just don’t get what she sees in Jigsaw.”
That actually pulls a laugh out of me. “You and me both, brother.”
At least that finally seems to help everyone move on from my love life.
And to further distance everyone from asking about Margot, I nod to Teller’s Escalade again. “So if you needed more room for the kiddos, what made you pick that monstrosity instead of a minivan?”