right now and do that without gettin’ noticed.”
I laughed. I’d forgotten about Monumental Makeup Sex. He clearly hadn’t.
“Hang on. I’ll get us some,” I said and reached for my phone.
“From? Got a number for dial-a-KY or somethin’?”
I laughed. “One of the girls, silly.”
He shook his head “Do you and those girls talk about fuckin’ everything? Are there no boundaries?”
“Well, mostly. TMI isn’t part of our vocabulary and sadly because I often have to listen to their shit about my brothers which is gah-ross. I need to expand my friend group. I don’t tell them everything though. Some things between you ‘n me are just ours.”
He smiled. “Good. Though, feel free to boast about the size of my cock.”
I laughed. “Maybe I already have.” I hadn’t, but when he shimmied his shoulders with pride, I giggled.
I scrolled through my phone. “I won’t ask Jenna. She wouldn’t have any.”
I looked up at his face.
“She doesn’t do the bum stuff. Won’t do it until Rider puts a ring on her finger.”
“Ah. No wonder,” Christian said, laughing.
“No wonder what?”
“He grumbled the other day he had to go ring shoppin’ soon. Didn’t know why he was in such a hurry to get hitched. Now I know.”
I gasped. “You totally have no room to talk. You demanded I marry you the day after we got together.”
He winked at me.
I laughed.
“Do not fuckin’ ask Elizabelle,” he said. “Don’t wanna fuckin’ know if she has any.”
“I’ll ask Gia.”
“Good plan.”
I texted Gianna.
Do you have any lube?
She replied straight away.
Gianna: Yeah why?
Me: Can you meet me in the bathroom covertly with it?
Gianna: I’m not at the clubhouse. I’m on my way to Sioux Falls. Jesse should be there in the lounge prob. Or downstairs in the bar. Ask to borrow my purple Caboodle.
Me: OK. Thx dahling.
Christian was back with his phone.
“Spiderweb crack in the screen but it still works.”
“Oops,” I said. “Sorry. I’ll buy you a new one. Any alerts?”
“It’s all right. I’d take a cracked phone over castration any day. And not yet.”
I scoffed.
He leaned back on the bed and ran his hand up my leg. “Got some?”
“Not yet.”
“This is takin’ the spontaneity out of it, jellybean.”
My text alert went off.
Gianna: Never mind. Do NOT ask Jesse. He’s pissy with me. I don’t think it’d go over well. Ask Deanna. Doesn’t she sell sex toys as a side hustle? I bet she’s got a whack of lube choices in Scooter’s room.
Me: Got it. Later girlie.
“Right back,” I said.
I zipped down the hall and knocked on Scooter’s door. No answer. I wandered out to the lounge. He wasn’t there.
“Anyone seen Scott or Deanna?” I called to the room.
“Just left. Stayin’ at her place,” Bronto replied from the couch where he was playing with his Nintendo Switch.
“Thanks,” I said.
Oh. I had a thought. I went to the kitchen and opened the cupboard above the stove. A big vat of organic coconut oil sat there. Brady used it in his smoothies. I nabbed it and dashed into the hall. I ran into Rider walking with Jenna down the hallway.
His eyes went weird as he saw me and saw what was in my hand.
“I uh… have chapped lips,” I said, holding up the coconut oil. My face was hot, probably beet-red.
Jenna burst out laughing. “Guess you two made up.”
“Fuck sakes,” Rider growled and stormed past me.
I giggled. I couldn’t help it.
I opened the door and held up the coconut oil.
He smiled big.
“She’s resourceful, my hot little wife.”
I smiled huge.
Suddenly there was noise in the hallway. A commotion with lots of voices.
Christian jumped up from my bed and went out into the hall.
I heard my father’s voice.
“Blow’s dead. Shot in Redfield in front of Marlena’s place. Lookin’ like Jackals lured him.”
No.
I opened the door wider and peered around Christian’s frame, seeing Dad, Rider, Spencer, Brady, Jesse, and Justice.
“Joelle, you and the girls grab your basics. We’re moving into the new clubhouse early. Tell ‘em.” He headed back to his room calling out, “Two minutes. Kitchen, boys.”
Christian kissed me and put his hand to the back of my head and looked into my eyes.
“Gonna be okay, baby.”
I nodded, tears stinging my eyes and then I dashed down the hall to the TV room where Ella and Pippa were.
“Where’s Jenna?”
“Bathroom. What’s up?” Pippa asked.
“Grab a change of clothes and toiletries for the night. We’re heading to the new clubhouse.”
“It’s not done though, right?” Pippa asked, stroking the head of Chakotay who was on the couch beside her, his chin on her thigh.
“It’s close enough. Blow just