“Get it, girl,” I tell her, reaching across the table with my fist. She taps her knuckles to mine with a grin before turning it toward Brian and puckering for a kiss, which he gives her.
“So, I’ve got Twyla’s maternity shoot coming up, and we just did birthday pics for Corbin and Vi’s oldest. Doc, are there any photoshoots in the near future for ahhh, you and your goddess here?” Clarice asks, and my eyebrows shoot up. While she is one of the best photographers I’ve ever seen, it is way too soon for Neil and me to be taking any kind of professional photos.
Before he can answer her, I cut in. “Um, maybe some awesome pictures of our Scout boy. Ooo!” I turn my excited eyes to Neil. “Christmas photos. Matching ugly sweaters with the dog. That is so happening.”
Everyone laughs, allowing the awkward subject to be diverted.
“So, um… since we’re all gathered and no one’s around. Is there any news on the A Secret situation?” Vi asks. I know she’s been worried about the investigation, since her husband is the one who actually shot Randy.
Brian perks up. “Well, mysteriously, the security who were supposed to be guarding the second floor all woke up in the attic with no recollection of what happened or how they got there. It is believed that one of the members of the club drugged them in order to go in search for Kristin, an escort he was obsessed with, and when he found what Randy was doing to her, he shot him in self-defense when Randy pulled his gun on him, but by that time, she was already deceased.
“They’re not too worried about this mystery shooter, because they’re too tied up with all the evidence proving Randy not only killed Kristin, but Alison and two more girls before her as well. That, and all the craziness surrounding the club itself. When the police and SWAT team arrived, the place went on lockdown, no one in or out. The girls in the dance and strip club areas were cleared first, because nothing illegal going on there. The customers on the first floor were the next to be cleared. But everyone up in the second-floor rooms were taken in for prostitution and solicitation. Which would be interesting enough as it is, but who they took in was the exciting part.”
“Oh yeah? And who’s that?” Neil prompts.
“Well, one—the cunty fucking asshole bitch who set Astrid up in the first place. That Crystal ho. But it was who she was banging that brings this all full circle and proves Karma’s got our backs,” Seth inserts, his body thrumming with excited energy.
Brian meets Seth’s eyes who nods with a smirk, and then they both look at Neil. “Happy to tell you, brother. One was the judge who let Randy off twenty-four years ago,” Brian tells him, his voice low and thick with meaning.
I gasp, my hand coming down from the table to squeeze Neil’s on my thigh that gripped tightly. I look over at my man, seeing his jaw clench as emotion fills his eyes. The moment is heavy, but in a good way, as we watch him blink rapidly.
“So that’s it then,” he murmurs. “Shelly was finally avenged.”
My arms lift to circle around his neck, pulling him to me, and he allows it. We stay that way for a minute, each person leaning toward their partner, smiles on their faces and gratefulness in their eyes.
“Here we go!” Dixie calls cheerily, breaking into the moment, and we all sit up straighter, several of us laughing to shake off the tension. She sets our drinks in front of each of us and then says she’ll be back a little later to check on us.
“So, did you guys just close the club for the whole night, or what?” I ask, taking a sip of my Dr. Pepper and Captain Morgan.
“Not the whole night, no. I think the members would revolt,” Neil says through a chuckle. “Just opening a few hours later than normal, which shouldn’t make too much of a difference. Most people don’t show up until elevenish, and it’s just past eight now.”
“Eleven, ugh.” Vi sneers. “That’s like, two hours past my bedtime.” She snorts, making us laugh once again.
The conversation continues, everyone just catching up together for the first time in what feels like forever. Or maybe it just feels like another lifetime ago because the last time was when I was still in that very dark place before Neil was able to pull me out. I feel like a totally different person than the one who sat with them at the table in Corbin’s backyard when we first got to meet Clarice a few months ago. I feel like I put on a good show, hiding my depression behind humor. It was easy when I only saw them every so often, but it was exhausting, and I’d go home and sleep the entire next day away. But I don’t feel that way anymore, and I can’t wait to grow closer with these people we’ve chosen as our family.