“I don’t—”
“Yo” was called when the front door suddenly opened. I peeked around Wreck to see Death and Quake step into the house. “What’s goin’ on?”
“Nothin’,” Wreck snarled before turning and making his way back down the hall, then into the living room. Quake followed after him after he tipped his chin at me.
Death stared down the hall at me. “You okay, kid?”
“Fine. All good.” I rolled my eyes. “Wreck was just asking me something about his phone.” I shot him two thumbs-up. “All’s peachy.” I went too far; he still looked suspicious.
“Right,” he drew out. “You comin’ out for a drink?”
“No, thanks. I’ve got class in the morning. Have a good night though.”
Death nodded but said no more. With a smile, I closed my bedroom door and leaned against it. I couldn’t believe I’d said all that to Wreck. I wished I’d gotten to hear what he was going to reply with, but at least he knew where I stood. At least, I thought he did.
Chapter Ten
Lucas
Sleep was a struggle since the night Gregory had taken me out. Actually, the whole week had gone by in slow motion, where I wasn’t sure if I was living or not. I put it down to the lack of sleep. It wasn’t only because of Wreck and his actions that confused me. It wasn’t. I refused to think of the man. Classes were, for once, kicking my butt as well. Something Mitch “Dickface” Henry thought was hilarious since, for the first time, he got a higher score on a test than me. I was sure he thought it had to do with the other two threatening notes I got, but it wasn’t because I just found them ridiculous. So then, I reminded him, as I left class on Friday, that he shouldn’t act too cocky since it was the first and last time. It didn’t stop him gloating some more though.
I was just glad the weekend had finally arrived. I was going to laze around in between studying. I didn’t have work that weekend since every fourth weekend I got off. I’d just exited the shower when there was a knock on the bathroom door.
“Lucas,” Zion called.
“Yeah?” He was probably heading out and wanted to tell me. We’d both had a day at home and did hardly anything. Except I hit the books every now and then.
“Hurry up.”
Pausing as I dried my head, I moved the towel to my chest and asked, “Why?”
“Family night at the compound. You’re comin’ with.”
Oh no I wasn’t.
“Ah, no, thank you though.”
“Lucas, family night. You’re comin’.”
“I can’t. I have studying to do.”
“I knew I should have told you after I got you in the car,” he complained.
With the towel around my waist, I walked to the door and opened it. “You should have, but I probably wouldn’t have gotten out of the car afterward.”
“Why? You worried about the brothers and what they’ll think? You’ve met some of them, and I know they’ll have your back. You got nothin’ to fear. Come on, bro, do it for me. I wanna show you my world. Meet the rest of my brothers.”
And now I felt guilty for not wanting to. But really, the only reason I didn’t want to was because of the chance of seeing Wreck. I hadn’t seen him all week, and it had been for the best as even though he wasn’t in front of me, he was still on my mind…. Wait, I wasn’t admitting that to myself. I couldn’t exactly tell Zion I didn’t want to go because of Wreck either; he’d be in my business in a quick flash.
I sighed. “Fine. I’ll go get dressed.”
“Great.” He grinned and moved out of my way.
Already my nerves kicked in as I dressed in jeans, boots, a tee, and then a black hoodie over it, which had an outline of Mario on the back of it in red. My stomach wouldn’t stop twisting, and I worried I would bring the pizza I’d consumed earlier up. I stuck my shaky hand in the pockets of my hoodie when I walked back down the hall.
Zion stood from the couch. “Awesome, let’s go.”
I nodded.
In the car, Zion rambled on for the both of us since he knew I’d be just about crapping myself about the party, but also the number of people, and then there was Wreck. I had my fingers crossed he wouldn’t be there.
“Lucas, what do you think?”
I blinked a few times. “Sorry, what?”
He laughed. “I knew you’d be nervous, but hell, bro, you look like you might piss yourself.”
“It could be a possibility. Maybe you should just take me home. I don’t want to embarrass you.”
He shook his head. “You won’t, and we’re nearly there anyway.”
Dang it all. I glanced out the window. I could jump out of the car and make a run for it. Then again, I didn’t want to worry Zion.
Shaking my head, I asked, “What did you say before?”
“I was thinking of an idea for the Polished Pussy and wanted your opinion on it.”
“Hit me,” I said, turning in my seat to give him my full attention.
“All right, be honest with me. What do you think if we added guys to the place?”
My brows dipped. “What do you mean? Don’t guys already go there?”
“Not like that, but there could be a market for
