Reaper's Salvation: A Last Riders Trilogy by Jamie Begley (reading e books .txt) 📕

Ginny was unscrewing the lid when Crazy Bitch badgered Moon to turn the music on. His eyes lit up when Diamond and Knox walked in the front door carrying bags of food.

Everyone in the main room gravitated toward the kitchen to eat.

“Who got married?”

Puck went around the counter to slide the cake to the side.

“Willa made it for someone’s wedding yesterday. The groom backed out, so she brought it here for everyone to share.”

“Willa told me she was making a wedding cake for the doctor who checked me out at the hospital. I feel bad for her.”

“I don’t.” Crazy Bitch went searching through the cabinets to find a plate, then went rummaging to find the silverware. “The bitch is better off without the low-down motherfucker.” Cutting a humongous slice of cake, she then took her two burgers and order of fries and carried it out of the kitchen and into the main room.

Ginny had to smother her laughter when Puck stared after her, awestruck.

“She’s married.” Ginny felt bad dashing his hopes.

“Happily?”

“Yes.”

“Fuck.”

Ginny placed a couple of burgers on his plate. “I have a friend I can hook you up with,” she consoled him.

Puck cut himself an extra-large helping of cake. “No, thanks. I’m going to need some time to get over her.”

Ginny was getting Crazy Bitch to set out several trays of appetizers from the refrigerator when Beth, Razer, Lily, and Shade came in from the back door.

Hungry, Ginny ate a couple of burgers. She had tried to sneak out a couple of times, but one of the women would catch her each time. Doomed to fail, Ginny began loosening up when it was apparent Gavin wasn’t in the house. Either that or he was asleep, which was a win-win in her eyes. She would stay thirty more minutes, then go upstairs, even if she had to climb up there from the tree outside the bedroom window with one hand.

Once everyone was done eating, they went back into the main room, where other members came in and out.

A few of the couples were dancing. Ginny watched them jealously. She loved to dance, and the one and only time she had danced with Gavin, he had accused her of rigging the tape deck.

“Come dance with me.” Trudy took her hand, pulling her off the stool.

Ginny loved her sister. Trudy knew her too well.

“I love this song.” Ginny moved to the music. “I wish I could sing a song like that.”

“What do you mean?”

“A song that, no matter how many people sing it, they will never achieve the same perfection. The song was meant for the original artist.”

“Like Katy Perry and ‘Fireworks’?”

Ginny wholeheartedly agreed. “Yes, also like, ‘Girl on Fire’ by Alicia Keys.”

“You’ll do it.”

“No, I’m meant to write those songs for other singers.”

Trudy frowned at her as they danced. “Why don’t you think you can?”

“Because I’m not going to sing anymore. My singer career is over.”

“Why?”

“I’m not going to risk what I have with Gavin. To be popular, you have to do concerts and be willing to make sacrifices. I’m not willing to do that. I want to be here for Gavin and our children.”

“There’s still time. Just put off having kids for a while.”

Dancing as they talked, Ginny noticed that Jewell was dancing with Jesus, and Puck was dancing with Jade. Space was running out, forcing couples dance closer together. Killyama and Train joined the throng behind them, crowding Jesus and Jewell even more.

“We’ll see,” Ginny said noncommittedly.

“Mayday, Mayday.” Killyama leaned her head between Trudy and her, alerting them.

Ginny gave a silent groan. She meant to go upstairs fifteen minutes ago, but she’d been enjoying dancing with Trudy.

Dalton and Gavin came in the door to the main room, searching the crowd with their eyes. Ginny was tempted to duck down and crawl out of the room.

“Why is Gavin with Dalton?”

“I might have texted Gavin that he could pick you up at my house.” Trudy continued dancing, unperturbed that her husband was glowering at her.

“Oh God. He’s going to kill me. I’m dead.”

“You’ve always been so melodramatic. We won’t let him kill you. We got your back,” Trudy promised.

“That’s right, bitch!” Killyama clenched her hand in a fist. “Bitches stick together.”

Dalton went to the end of the crowd and crooked his finger to her.

“Aw … isn’t that cute.” Sex Piston had danced herself and Stud nearer to them. “He thinks you’re a puppy.”

Ginny didn’t spare a glance for Dalton, her concentration on Gavin. His cold features stared at her, then went behind her. Whatever he saw had his lips tightening into a thin line.

Ginny turned her head to see Jewel and Jesus dancing. Gavin’s eyes went down her body before raising them to hers. Breaking the contact, Gavin then turned and went up the steps two at a time.

“I’m so dead.” Ginny made a move to go after Gavin.

“Hell no,” Sex Piston warned. “Make ’em come get you. Stud came after me.”

Ginny was tempted to ignore Sex Piston, but truth be told, she was kind of afraid to go upstairs until he cooled down. There were couches in the back room off the kitchen and in the basement; she could sleep there.

“I need some water.” Ginny slid between the twisting bodies, heading toward the bar.

“Me, too.” Trudy hastily followed after her when Dalton gave up trying to get her to come to him and was coming after her with a thundercloud expression.

Ginny got her and Trudy waters as Trudy grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured some in a glass. Giving Trudy the bottle of water, Ginny stood to the side, interested to see how her sister talked herself out of trouble. She might need a few pointers for when she was brave enough to go upstairs.

Sex Piston, Crazy Bitch, Killyama, and Fat Louise ditched their husbands on the dance floor to make their way to the bar. Ginny teared up at watching the sisterhood in action.

“Babe”—Trudy gave Dalton the glass of whiskey—“I’m so sorry. Diamond called and