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“Nope, it’s Gabby, right?”
“Yeah, but I’d prefer you call me Gabriella. Only people who dislike me lately call me Gabby.”
I don’t tell him that my father has begun calling me Gabby now—along with a few others in my family. Thankfully, my diarrhea of the mouth seems to have stopped. My relief is short-lived, however, with King’s next words.
“Would that include your father?”
I sigh. “Yeah.”
“What makes you think he hates you?”
“I heard him. He told Dragon. He blames me for being in London that day and getting kidnapped. If I hadn’t been kidnapped, then Diego wouldn’t have been in North Carolina to begin with, and he’s right.
“Wildcat. There’s a good chance he would have?—”
I stop him by shaking my head. “Please don’t King. I know I’m a loser, but I don’t think I could take it if you pity me, too.”
“I don’t pity you. I understand. There’s a difference. If it makes you feel better, I’m kind of a loser at life, too.”
“Yeah, right. I highly doubt that.”
“I’m serious. Did you know I was married?”
“Shit, you are? I need to get out of here.”
“No, you don’t.”
“I do! I know we’re just friends and it’s nothing like that, but your wife might not understand. I’ve caused enough issues. I’m not about to repeat my mistakes, King.”
“Calm down, Wildcat. I just got my divorce papers before I headed down here. It has to be the quickest divorce on record.”
“What happened?”
“We haven’t been together long, but I thought we were solid. Then, slowly, she began having trouble with me being a member of the club.”
“That’s weird. She had to know you belonged to the club first, right?”
“Yeah, she had a problem with the way I had to deal with a club traitor, and it blossomed from that.”
“Well, there’s only way to deal with a club traitor, King. Everyone knows that.”
“Spoken like a true biker princess,” he laughs. “Would you feel the same if I told you the traitor was a woman?”
“King, women are conniving bitches. Trust me, I used to be one,” I huff, and he laughs. “I like you, Wildcat.”
“I like you, too. At least you treat me as if I’m normal. That means more than I could tell you. Now, about your ex-wife.”
“Yeah. I thought we were working our shit out, but boy, was I wrong. Turns out she was shacking up with a cop and is pregnant.”
“Yikes.”
“You know what hurts more than anything else?”
“What?”
“The fact Shelby didn’t even want to have kids with me.”
“Shit, I’m sorry. I know sorry is a lame response, but there’s not much you can say when life gut punches a friend. Nothing will make it feel better. I can tell you that one day she will regret it, because you’re a wonderful guy and any woman would be happy to have you as her man.”
