Page 88 of Shattered Pieces

“Thanks. I’m surprised you’re here.”

“It’s your birthday,” he said with a shrug as if that made perfect sense.

“I’ve been an ass.”

“A big ass, but you’re my big ass. I wasn’t going to let you eat breakfast alone, even if you deserve it. I wasn’t sure if Josie was going to be here or not since she’s been so busy with work,” he replied, stealing my coffee for a sip.

“How have you been?” I asked hesitantly, and he paused for a minute before answering.

“I’m alright. Rory is too, I spoke to her last night. She usually calls before bed.”

“I didn’t ask about her.”

“No, but just in case you had a change of heart. She’s in with a prison crew, and she’s banging the top dog. Lots of protection now.”

I choked on my pancake, taking my coffee back to wash it down.

“What?”

“She’s banging Lexi Bryant.”

“Archer Hendricks’ wife?” I snapped, but he didn’t seem bothered by it. Wasn’t that crew war kind of shit?

“Yeah. Don’t worry, she’s not into pussy now. If anything, she learned she’s definitely straight. At least she has protection and orgasms in there.”

“You’re a doormat, dude. You really don’t care that she’s fucking someone else?” I said bitterly, pissed that she was playing him like that. She knew he wouldn’t turn on her no matter what she did.

“No. Like I’ve said, she can fuck whoever she wants as long as she still wants me too. We all told her to get a prison wife anyway,” he said as he pointed the fork at me. “No amount of pussy has made her forget that you and Skeet haven’t visited her though.”

“I’m not okay with her fucking other people. Wasn’t okay with it when it was Hunter, still not okay with it now it’s Lexi.”

“That’s fine. Go tell her that.”

“Ty—”

“For once in your life, listen to me. She isn’t fucking the Devils. There’s no way in hell she’d do that to us without a conversation first. This isn’t like Slash, she’s aware they’re the enemy, but the enemy are the only ones who keep showing up to help her when she needs it. You haven’t seen how hard they’ve been working to get her back out, so you need to realize they might be Skeet’s enemies, but they’re not hers. You don’t even have to fucking like it, but is it worth losing her over?” he demanded, holding my gaze.

“They’ve made it clear to Skeet that they want her,” I scoffed, and Tyler shrugged.

“I hope she lets them. They’re more loyal to her than Skeet. Don’t you see that you guys just proved their point that she has to rely on them? You literally pushed her right at them.”

“You hope they fuck her?” I growled, getting a dirty look in return.

“You heard me. I like them. They have zero reason to help her, to check in with your mom, or to let me stay with them when you made it obvious I wasn’t welcome here.”

“You’re always welcome⁠—”

“No, I’m not. You made it clear you were on team Skeet about Rory, and you glared at us every time you stopped by. You’re going to throw away a lifetime of friendship over this? Without even having the facts?”

I dropped my eyes from his as the guilt hit me, knowing he didn’t have a home to go to if I’d made him feel unwelcome. I’d honestly assumed he’d stay with Lukas and Jensen, but I’d been wrong.

“I don’t want to fight on your birthday, but I’m done letting you walk all over people. If Skeet had been there for her, she wouldn’t have been with Hunter that night. Without Hunter, she’d probably be in a lot more trouble right now. Our money can’t always save her,” he added when I didn’t say anything. “You’re so lucky I love you, dumbass.”

I looked back up as he stood, his arms coming around me in a hug.

“Someone has to,” I joked, making him scoff without letting go as I hugged him back.

“Lots of people love you, you’re just too stupid to see it when you’re throwing a tantrum.”