Vicious Cycle (Vicious Cycle #1)(43)

After I headed into the foyer, Uncle Jimmy took the bags of food out of my hands. As I started to the kitchen, a voice from the living room called out to me. “Yo, Al. Come get this wild animal off me!” Charlie yelled. I grinned, knowing that was his way of getting me to come see him. All these years later, he still wasn’t good at expressing his emotions.

I entered the living room to find Atticus sprawled out on the couch beside Charlie. Instead of being truly aggravated by Atticus, Charlie was giving him a rubdown, which caused Atticus to groan in ecstasy. “Hey, little brother. It’s good to see you,” I said as I flopped down on his other side.

He grinned, which caused two dimples to pop out on his cheeks. It made him adorable to me, but I’m sure they caused girls his age to swoon. “It’s good to see you, too.”

“How’s school?”

Cocking his head at me, Charlie replied, “You mean am I studying and going to class or partying too much?”

I nudged him playfully. “I wouldn’t be your overbearing big sister if I didn’t ask.”

“True. Very true.” When he still remained evasive, I cleared my throat to prompt him. He held up his hands. “Fine. I’ve got solid Bs at the moment.”

“Oh, Charlie, that’s wonderful. I’m so proud,” I replied before throwing my arms around his neck.

“It could all get shot to hell before the end of the semester,” he teased.

“Not on your life, mister.” I pulled back to give him the same stern look I gave my students. “Don’t make me come to Athens and follow you around.”

He snorted. “Look, I know you don’t have a life, but even I can’t imagine you doing that.”

“I do have a life,” I countered.

“Your group of girlfriends who does monthly margarita nights counts as a life?”

“We go out more than that,” I lied.

“Right.”

“Besides, I’m very busy right now with teaching. I’m even doing homebound services.”

“Yeah, Uncle Jimmy told me.”

My brows rose up in surprise. “He did?”

Charlie nodded. “Said he was worried about you.”

I swallowed hard. “Why?” I asked, although I already knew the answer.

“’Cause of where you’re teaching.” With a wry smile, Charlie added, “Who would have thought my good-girl big sister would be hanging out with a bunch of dirty and dangerous bikers?”

Rolling my eyes, I replied, “They’re not like that.”

“You sure about that? From what Uncle Jimmy said, the Raiders have been known to have their hands in all kinds of dirty dealings, like gambling and gun running.”

I shrugged. “It’s just rumor. None of them has done time for anything.” I knew that was a partial lie, considering Deacon’s father had been in prison before he started the Raiders.

Charlie’s teasing expression turned serious. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

“Is that actual concern for me, little brother?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

“Yeah, it is.”

Patting his leg, I replied, “You don’t need to worry. I’m fine. I promise.”

Although he nodded his head, I could tell he wasn’t convinced. But before he had the chance to press me for more details about the Raiders, Aunt Joy appeared in the doorway and beckoned us to come and eat.

Thankfully, neither Charlie nor Uncle Jimmy brought up the subject of the Raiders, and I was able to have a fun, carefree lunch with those I loved most in the world.

Two weeks had passed since my drunken confessional with Deacon. I continued coming to the compound every day as though nothing momentous had happened that night. I usually stayed for dinner at least two nights a week. I found myself in a peculiar dance with Rev. He continued not to make a formal move on me, but whenever I was around, he gave me all his undivided attention. Whenever I would find myself talking at length to Rev at the dinner table or around the compound, I would always feel Deacon’s hot gaze on me. His behavior was so confusing. Deacon still seemed to want something romantic to happen between Rev and me, but his pointed looks told a different story. Of course, I knew better than to question him. He was the master of being evasive and turning the tables on me. Besides, I wasn’t sure I could handle a relationship with sweet, respectful Rev, never mind volatile and brooding Deacon.

Today, after Willow and I had finished with our lesson, I was surprised to find Deacon waiting on us outside the door. “You got a minute?”

“Sure.”

“I wanted to show you something.”

Willow stomped her foot beside us. “Deacon, that’s not fair!” Then she flounced past us to go to Archer’s side.

My brows creased in confusion. “What’s she upset about?”

Deacon chuckled. “She’s pissed because she knows I’m going to show you the work I’ve done on the ballet studio.”

“But why would she care about that?”

“Because I’m making her wait to see it until it’s finished. You know, to be a surprise.”

I couldn’t help smiling at him for not only building the studio for Willow, but for wanting the finished product to be a surprise. Our shoes crunched down the gravel path. “Any idea when Willow might be able to return to school?”