“What friends?” I’m not sure if he’s confused me with someone or he doesn’t understand how by myself I really am. “When I left Redwick, I only had one friend left,” I admit, hating how low I was at that time in my life. My parents died when I was twelve, and I lost my nan five years earlier. Chad and Heidi were the extent of my family.

“The woman who arranged for you to leave?”

“Yeah, Heidi. Being married to a man like Chad made it difficult to keep friends,” I confess, knowing how hard Chad tried to push her out of my life. But Heidi wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“You talk to her since you left?”

“About a month after I left, I called her house from a pay phone. I just needed to check in, you know? See how she was. She said Chad had been giving her a hard time. We talked for a bit, filled her in on everything, and I told her I would call back on my next stop. She told me not to, said it wasn’t safe. When I called back a few weeks later, the number was disconnected.”

“You think Chad got to her?”

“I want to say no, but I don’t know. He was giving her a hard time.”

“I’ll put some feelers out, see what we can find out.”

“God, I don’t know, Beau.” The thought of knowing Chad has something to do with Heidi moving or worse, possibly hurting her, is too much to handle right now on top of what is already going on.

“She was your best friend, right?”

“She was.”

“My experience tells me no one puts themselves in that much danger to save their best friend only to cut them off, darlin’.” I know he’s right, which is why it scares me more. What if Chad hurt her because of me?

“Okay, thank you,” I concede, knowing he’s right. Heidi wouldn’t cut me off unless she had to.

“Now, as for clubhouse rules, what you see or hear stays inside the clubhouse. There are a few guys who come and go, regulars you’ll see around, some on the weekends. Not everything you see will be your cup of tea, but no one will bother you and if they do, you let me know. You understand?” I nod, still trying to keep up. I had no idea when I stepped foot in here how busy their lives are inside the club. Beau’s cell starts ringing in his pocket, interrupting him from telling me how things run around here.

“Yep?” he answers on the second ring, lifting his hand and signaling one minute with his finger. “Ahh, yeah I’ll have to check.” He stands and pulls the phone away from his ear. “I need to take this. You all right to hang out with the girls for the rest of the day?”

“I might just head back to my room and have a nap. I’m still beat.” I know Beau wants me to feel comfortable around everyone, but it’s only been a day. I’m sure he can understand that I’m still a little uneasy.

“Okay, darlin’. Whatever you want.” He offers me a quick smile, then turns and walks out, leaving me sitting alone. I don’t waste any time in standing and walking back to my room. The last thing I want is to hang out with everyone at a club BBQ. Especially with Beau not around.

I may not have seen him in eighteen months, but something about us clicked. Maybe it was because he saved me that night or maybe it was more. Whatever it is, I don’t want to question it.

He’s the only one I can trust. Until I know the threat is gone, I can’t get close to these people.

It’s for their own safety.

“Oh, hi. Didn’t realize anyone was still up.” I step into the kitchen later that night for a midnight snack.

“Yeah, couldn’t sleep.” Kelly looks up from the table at my voice.

“Coffee probably doesn’t help.” I point down at her mug, offering some sound advice.

“I know, but you know how it is.” She shrugs. “You hungry? You missed the BBQ.”

“Yeah, I’m starving. I went for a nap. Didn’t realize I’d sleep through,” I admit, still awkwardly standing on the threshold. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be up. To be honest, I prayed no one would be.

After Beau left to deal with some business, I went back to my room. I didn’t want to come out while the clubhouse was so busy, so I decided to try to get some sleep. Only problem is I slept right through dinner.

“That’s understandable, love. Help yourself. There’s plenty of food.” She points to the fridge and it only takes my stomach grumbling to take up her offer.

“Thanks.” I step up to the fridge and pull out a couple of containers. I haven’t eaten since Beau’s eggs, so anything would taste amazing right now.

Kelly is silent while I put together a small plate of salad, chicken and fresh bread rolls.

“Did you have a good time tonight?” I ask after I put the containers back in the fridge and take my plate over to the table. I’d much rather take my food to my room, but I can’t be rude and leave her here.

“Always fun at club BBQs. You should have stuck around.”

“Maybe next one,” I offer, not sure when the next one is happening or if I will still be around. Kelly nods, but doesn’t say anything.

The silence hanging between us lasts for a few minutes before Kelly speaks again.

“You know, Mackenzie, if you ever want to talk, I’m here. We all are.”

“Thanks, Kelly,” I say right before I place a mouthful of salad in my mouth. I know she means well, but I don’t really want to talk to anyone here about my past.