Once the necklace was gift wrappedand the money was taken, he got a receipt and left the shop.
“Do you think she’ll like it?” Smokey asked.
“It’s Ava, Smokey. She’s going to like any crap you give to her.” They walked toward his parked car. He’d wanted to go on his bike, but the snow was too hazardous. He wanted tosurvive Christmas, not run the risk of going to war with Santiago because he might have accidentally killed his wife because of snow.
Carlos was very protective of Raven. It was whySmokey had no problem with the two being married, or for Raven to continue to be a member of the Hell’s Bastards MC. She had earned her patch. Nothing was ever going to take that shit away from her.
He climbed behind the wheel,turned over the ignition, and headed back to town.
“I’ve got to make a quick stopat Jonah’s. Do you want me to drop you off?”
“I’ll go see Jonah. He is asking about Summer and Winter all the time.”
“Motherhood has been good to you.”
Raven laughed. “I’m fucking terrified of screwing everything up. I … I wish my mom was here. You know, to tell me when I’m messing up or when I’m getting it right.”
“They have books for that kind of thing.”
“The books aren’t my mom.”
Smokey grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. He and Raven were not in the habit of being overly affectionate people, but when it came to Raven, he found that he cared a great deal for her. She was a friend, a sister, and someone he wanted to always protect.
“Have you and Ava talked much this week?” Smokey asked.
“I’ve avoided her, to be honest. I know that’s not good, but with everything going on, I didn’t want to ruin your surprise. Why? Is something up?”
“No, nothing is up.” But she had slept in theirson’s room last night. In the morning when he woke up, the coffee pot had been on with a note asking him to get the decorations out of the attic, but no sign of his wife or son.
Was Ava pissed off with him? He couldn’t help but think about how she pulledaway from him last night, or the fact she had given him a cheek to kiss.
Just a cheek.
Nothing else.
What the fuck did that even mean?
Why did he only get a cheek?
“Something is up,” Raven said.
“Nothing is.”
“You’re scowling.”
“Could you stop by and perhaps talk to her or something?” Smokey asked.
“I can try. I don’t want to lie to her though. This surprise is stressful.”
Smokey groaned. “It’s nearly done. Just a couple more days.”
Raven sighed. “You do know Ava has forgiven you, right?”
“This isn’t about that.”
“I know you want to wipe out the memories, but one thing I’ve come to see is that you can’t force that. Trust me. The memories are always going to be there. The only difference is how everyone deals with it.”
Smokey glanced toward her. “That kind of talkdoes not fucking comfort me.”