Page 91 of Rook
She believed him.
But believing didn’t stop the fear.
A soft knock sounded on the door.
Avery tensed. “Who is it?”
“It’s just me,” a woman’s voice called, light, warm and familiar. “You decent?” Avery hesitated, then opened the door.
A petite blonde with a warm smile, sparkling blue eyes, and a Saints cropped tank top leaned against the frame. She looked early-twenties, confident, and comfortable in the clubhouse like she’d grown up in it.
“I’m Lacey,” she said.
Avery blinked. “Oh. Hi.”
Lacey smiled. “Come on. You shouldn’t be alone right now.”
Avery followed her down the hall into the main room, and froze.
There were women everywhere.
Some sitting on laps. Some perched on barstools. Some laughing loudly with each other. Some giving Avery curious looks.
Lacey leaned in with a bubbly whisper, “Don’t worry. They’re harmless.”
Avery swallowed. “Who… are they?”
Lacey shrugged. “Sweetbutts. Club girls. We hang around, have fun, keep the guys company. Help them relieve some stress. You know.”
Avery’s stomach twisted. “Oh.”
Lacey smirked. “Relax. They’re not after your man.”
Avery’s cheeks burned. “He’s not… I mean… we’re not…”
Lacey raised a brow. “Sugar. You walked out of Rook’s room wearing his blanket. You might as well have worn a neon sign.”
Avery groaned. “Oh God.”
Lacey laughed. “It’s cute. And trust me, the sweetbutts know better than to go near a man who’s claimed.”
Avery’s heart skipped. “Claimed?”
Lacey gave her a knowing look. “Rook’s been off the market since the second he brought you into this place the other night.”
Before she could respond, two women approached — one brunette, one redhead — both wearing Saints shirts and denim shorts.
The brunette smiled. “You’re Avery, right?”
Avery nodded. “Yeah.”
“I’m Katie,” she said. “This is Tessa.”
Tessa waved. “We brought snacks. Waiting sucks.”
Avery blinked as they handed her a plate of cookies and chips. “Thank you.”
Katie sat beside her on the couch. “So… you and Rook?”
