Now is not the time to be revisitingthatconversation.
“Come on, the firepit is warming up.” Diesel nudges Zach and River out of the door but I linger behind.
“Something wrong?” Aunt Cassie asks me and I shake my head.
“Just going to grab a drink and a blanket.”
“Ooh good call, get a couple of extra ones. Your mom is excited about spending some time with Diesel and River but I don’t want her catching a cold.”
“Sure, I can do that.”
She follows them outside, leaving me alone, and I let out a frustrated sigh.
So much for a night with nothing but my thoughts.
* * *
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” River says a little while later. The guys, my mom, and Cassie are busy playing poker, but we passed on joining, sitting off to the side, toasting marshmallows on the open flames.
“This sounds serious.”
“It’s not. At least, I don’t think it is, but I’ve been waiting for you to mention it and well, you didn’t—”
“River, we’ve barely spoken since you and the guys made it official.”
“Come on, Kat. That isn’t fair.”
I shrug. “Fair or not, it’s the truth. And look, I get it. You’re in that phase where everything’s new and exciting, but it’s like I don’t even exist to you anymore.”
“Kat, I didn’t… I’m sorry, you’re right. I have been neglecting you.”
“No, forget it. I’m just feeling extra hormonal. Shark week must be coming.”
River gives me a weak smile. “I know things are changing but you’re still my best friend. I’ll always be at the end of the phone or a text message. You know that, right?”
I nod, because what else is there to really say?
River got her happy ending. She got my brother and Zach and Jax. Three men who love her more than life itself. Our common ground has been obliterated.
We were the two club princesses, off-limits and untouchable. Now she’s practically an old lady. To not one, but three of the Sinners brothers.
“What did you want to ask me?” I steer the subject back to safer shores, not anticipating the next words out of her mouth.
“So uh, I wondered… is something going on with you and Ryder?”
“What? No! Why would you even ask that?” I whisper-hiss, hyperaware of my brother sitting less than ten feet away.
“I saw you, Kat. At the party the other week.”
“You… oh.”
Heat envelops me. An overpowering mix of shame and embarrassment.
She saw us. And if she saw us that means—
“Did anyone else—”
“Zach.”