Comp's Chance

“What did you need?” Swift asks. I take a deep breath before just blurting it out.

“I think Paisley and I should stay at a hotel for now. I…” I start, but he cuts me off.

“No,” he says simply. I raise a brow at him. He may talk to his club brothers that way, but I am not part of his club. I open my mouth, but he raises a brow and looks like he’s about to smirk but doesn’t.

“What he means is…” Piper says, glaring at her husband, “It’s safer for you and Paisley here. Please, just stay. I might not know what’s going on with you, but I have a feeling I know who this is about. He rode out about five days ago to take care of some business. He will be gone for a few more days. Just give us time,” Piper pleads with me.

He left? He just left and didn’t say anything to me a whole five days ago? Well, I guess he doesn’t really have to. I have no claim to him, but damn, that stings a bit. I nod my head at her, and they both sigh in relief. I will give it a few more days, but I need to get the fuck out of here before he comes back. I can take a hint. He wants nothing to do with me. He’s got it. I beg no man. Fuck that. I just can’t believe I’ve been pouting around here, hoping to get even a glance at him, and he hasn’t been here at all. I’m pathetic. Didn’t I learn my lesson the first time?

“Come on, let’s get you and the kids ready for the BBQ today. Cutter is finally here, so Halle and Loki are a bit impatient and ready to get the ball rolling,” she says, smiling, then leading me down the hall.

Fuck, I forgot about the party. I helped the ladies make some desserts and side dishes yesterday, but I planned to grab some popcorn and have a movie night with Paisley. I’m not sure how these parties go, and I definitely don’t want Paisley seeing a bunch of rowdiness. She’s never been around things like that.

“Actually, I’m going to find Paisley and head back to the room. I was going to do a movie night with her,” I tell them. Piper looks back at me with a sad expression.

“We would love for you both to be there, but I understand if you’re uncomfortable. Just know, we don’t do anything inappropriate in front of the kids. Halle and Loki can get carried away, but we always distract the kids, and they make sure to keep a lookout,” she tells me.

“After the last time.” I hear muttered so low I’m not even sure I heard it right.

“I don’t want to crash your club party,” I tell them nervously.

“You and Paisley will both have fun, I promise. If not, I’ll sneak you out myself,” Swift says, tickling Bronx’s belly and making him giggle. Without another good excuse, I give in and follow them outside.

There are way more people here than I’m used to seeing around when we walk into the yard, and it’s a little nerve-wracking. Paisley is over at the bouncy house playing with Rome and Rae, so I keep an eye on them. Piper leads me past a picnic table, but I hear Loki and Halle having a conversation.

“Come on, Cutter. It doesn’t have to be big. Just “Property of Halle” across his forehead,” Halle says with a pout. The guy sitting across the bench with a tattoo machine looks at her like she’s batshit crazy before turning to Loki.

“Please, please tell me she’s fucking joking,” he says, looking at Loki, who is grinning widely.

“Nope, she ain’t.” The smile on his face is a little unsettling. Is he not going to fight her on this at all?

“No, I will not tattoo his forehead. Second choice?” Cutter tells them both, looking between them and folding his arms over his chest.

“Ugh… fine. I want it on the side of the neck, but I want you to make sure his shirt doesn’t cover it. I want every bitch in heat to see that shit. Loud and proud,” she tells him.

“Neck I can do,” Cutter says, picking back up his machine.

“Baby, where should I get mine? Tits or neck?” Halle asks, pulling her shirt a little lower to look at the top of her boobs. Where the hell am I, and what is with these crazy people?

“Neck, any man touches your tits, and I’ll be using them as a new knife holder,” Loki says, glowering at Cutter. Cutter rolls his eyes and sighs before starting on the tattoo.

After that, the party seems to be in full effect. I stick close to the Ol’ Ladies, taking me under their wing and keeping me close. I get approached by two men I haven’t seen around, but I make the excuse I need to check on my daughter before bolting. The women giggle but follow after me.

“Good thing Comp isn’t here. He probably would have kicked Volt and Drift’s asses for looking your way,” Piper says.

“Yeah, right, he wouldn’t have blinked. He probably would still be locked in his room,” I say bitterly. Halle’s finished her property tattoo, which Izzy explained to me. She and Piper showed me theirs, and they are actually pretty badass.

Maybe… nope, not going there.

“Whatever, girl. That man has it bad; he’s just…” Halle is cut off by Piper’s quick intake of breath.

“Dad! What are you doing here?” she yells toward the side entrance to the backyard. We follow behind as Piper rushes to the man who must be her father. Swift makes it there first, shaking the man’s hand.

“Devin, good to see you again,” he tells him.

“I wish it was under better circumstances. Right now, we don’t have time,” the older, very handsome man says, looking around the party. Loki, Grease, Hitter, and Grim crowd behind us as we wait for Devin to elaborate.

“Why does this shit always have to happen when we’re partying? Can’t we just have one fucking get-together that isn’t traumatic?” Grease grumbles behind me.