Crossroads (Beautiful Biker MC Romance Series) - DD Prince Page 0,92
Dad and Deacon and holding my hand, tugged me back towards our booth.
“Tattletale? You’re being a meddler. Trying to pay him, even! You think I need you buying me dates, Ella?”
“You should just stay away from Chris. That’s all I’ve got to say about that. What’s happening with you two? Why’d he get in there when you were dancing with that beautiful biker?”
“I think it’s a hero complex. He’s saved her twice and now thinks of her as his responsibility,” Jenna said with a shrug. Though Jenna said that, I saw through it. I was pretty sure she was having my back by throwing Ella off the scent.
“He better keep his filthy mitts off her,” Ella grumbled and sat.
“You know what?” I snapped at her. “I don’t need you being another person in a long line of people trying to protect my virtue, all right? Mind your own business, Ella.”
Ella looked stricken.
“For real,” I said. “I’m getting a little sick of this. I’ve had it up to here,” I slashed my hand across my neck, “from my brothers. You girls are supposed to be my sisters, having my backs, not trying to stop me from living my life.”
Ella’s mouth dropped. “I’m…sorry.” She winced. “You’re right. I just … I didn’t like the way he reacted to you dancing with that guy and I … reacted.”
“He’s just being protective because Stubbs tried to get it on with her when she was fifteen years old,” Jenna put in.
“How’d you know that?” Ella asked Jenna.
“Because Rider told me he beat him up. He saw the guy ask her to dance and was about to go over and do something about it when Chris did it first. I guess they all know about it.” Jenna shrugged.
“Shit. I’m sorry, Jojo,” Ella said. “I knew you were giving him lusty eyes before he joined the club and I didn’t know if since then something… especially with what happened. Twice saving your bacon, as your brother would say.” She shrugged.
I didn’t say a word. Let them think what they wanted. After my first night staying with Jenna she’d asked if there was something I wanted to get off my chest, if something else had happened with me and him during the kidnapping.
I avoided answering the question and she said, “Maybe I’m misreading you, but I recognize heartbreak, so no pressure, but I’m here if that’s happening right now and you wanna unload. And it’d go in the vault. Swear it.”
“Anyway, sorry. I’ll mind my own business,” Ella said.
“Even if they fall madly in love and she asks you to be a bridesmaid?” Pippa put in.
Ella shuddered. “As if. I mean, Jojo is smarter than that.” Ella rolled her eyes and took another sip of her drink.
I took a sip of mine.
“Are you kidding?” I said, “You’d be my maid of honor, Ella.”
Pippa looked at me and smiled. And then her smile slipped, and her eyebrows went up. I put my empty glass down with a flourish.
Pippa’s eyes boinged and then Pippa and Jenna exchanged looks.
Ella was snickering while rifling through her purse. She finally pulled out a lip balm having missed what I knew Pippa and Jenna could see.
“I’m so done with tonight,” I said. “So, I think I’m gonna sleep upstairs in my room. I’ll come back to your place tomorrow if that’s all right?”
“Awe, don’t go…” Jenna pouted.
I grimaced. “Tonight has been a big clusterfuck here for me so I’m just gonna go curl up with Marshmallow and…” I swept one palm off the other. “Makes sense to stay here. I can help the kitchen with the morning rush for the big brotherhood breakfast.”
“Okay,” Jenna said. “See you tomorrow.” She hugged me. “Maybe we’ll stay tonight too. I’ll come early ‘n help, too.”
I shook my head. “Dad’s got staff here so don’t worry, unless you happen to wake up early.” I then got my hug from Pippa.
“I’ll be up early if anyone needs me in the kitchen.”
“Forgive me?” Ella asked, opening her arms wide. I put my arms around her.
“Yeah, of course. But don’t stick your oar in my business, okay? I’ve got three big brothers, not to mention all the brothers doing it on the regular.”
“Sorry. You’re right. I’m starting to think of you as my little sister, too, and … I’ll stop making excuses now.”
“It’s okay. I meddled with Spency and Pip. We all stick our noses where they don’t belong sometimes, but that said, please stop it.”