With their backs turned it would be hard to tell which was which. Especially between Tim and Kane who were both the most in shape.
Kane wore black. Tim wore a brown shirt.
They all wore dark pants.
But there the similarities ended.
Allen, clearly the most outgoing, wore a bright yellow shirt with some graffiti words across the front.
Erns wore a shirt the same coppery red shade as his hair, which had the darker tones Kane’s did that kept it from seeming so brassy.
“Come on, Brother.” Tim urged. “I been watching the club, least you could do is show up, so dad stops talking about you like you’re the favorite.”
“He is the favorite!” Allen said.
Erns snorted. “I think I’m the favorite.”
“You’re the only one that thinks that.” Tim said with a quirked brow. “You’re nobody’s favorite.”
“My wife likes me.” Erns objected.
“When she’s not in my bed.” Allen jested throwing an elbow.
“I don’t think M
I was only half there the rest of the day. Deciding that I would go check on my apartment after work to make sure no one had broken in. Then I’ll go see mom. For reasons I didn’t understand, I was feeling very anxious and alone. She’ll know why. The day concluded and Porter offered me a ride. I refused it saying the walk would be good for me and I’d be back at the apartment soon. “The apartment?” He asked incredulously. I blinked at him. Nodding in confusion. “What?” “You’ve been calling it ‘home’ until today.” “I was?” I blinked rapidly. Why was I doing that? “I-I don’t know.” I shrugged him off. “I’ll walk, Porter.” “Kane.” He corrected a bit rougher than he had before. His expression dark on me as I walked away. He was off toward the apartment. I walked that direction until he was out of view before veering toward the bus stop to be taken near my apar
“I don’t know what you mean.” I shook my head. I really didn’t. “You’re really upset because it means you don’t have a safety net.” My gut dropped when she said that aloud. I gave her a bleak look. My eyes narrowing on her. “Don’t you give me that betrayed look, My Girl. I’m only trying to do what’s best for you.” Kane stepped hesitantly into the room to circle around me. “Is that real?” I blinked rapidly at her. But he’d circled around far enough to see my face. “That is what you’re worried about. What do you think would happen if we didn’t work out.” “I’ll be out on my ass.” He snorted. “Not hardly. Even Susan I let stay as long as she needed to, to find a place. My brother ended up finding one for her, to get her out. I wouldn’t just dump you out like that. I’d help you.” “You have no idea what kind of future there might be.” “I think I know you well enough, Angel to know you’re not go
“You said you needed to tell me a couple things.” I shrugged dramatically. “Like, ‘oh. Couple things to tell ya.” I turned my head to glare at him. “Not, ‘hey, suing your ex. Thought you should know…’.” “Well…” “My mother!” I shouted in frustration. “Loves you more than anything.” He finished.“A sick mother asks me to do something that seems very logical…” “Then you’re a sucker. You’ve fallen for her charm!” “Actually, I’ve fallen for her daughter’s charm. She’s just the sweet, old lady, bonus.” “You really do need a mom, don’t you?” I said dryly. “Can’t we share?” There was the hint of a teasing note in his voice as he tried to lighten the situation. “No more secrets.” I lifted a commanding finger. “No more hiding things.” The idea of him and mother sitting there discussing my bad choices in life was mortifying. He nodded. “Understood.” “Then, I suppose, I could share.”
Him saying that was like a punch to the gut. He was asking me if I wanted to stay with him or not. I’d never expected that from him. What do I say to that? He seemed to have a knack for knowing just what to say to knock me off-balance. I shifted in my seat. He parked the car in the dark parking garage and turned to look at me. “It’s going to come down to this, Angel: You’re going to have to make a choice. Do you want to see where things could go if we deepen them, or do you want out?” “If you want out, you don’t need that shitty apartment with the landlord that escaped the Bates Motel.” I glowered at him. “He’s not that bad.” He could be. He is a jerk. He could be a pervert. Kane was blinking at me slowly. “I would help you find another place. Set you up if you want.” “And what would be the cost for that, Sugar Daddy?” I snapped acidly. He blinked at me even mor
Kane was a peaceful person. Despite all the city chaos and all the people rushing to work, then to their gyms, then home, he was a cool flowing water. Moving through them with practiced ease. Unbothered by their bustle. Unbothered by rain or heat. Just continuing forward and calming those that crossed paths with him. At least that was the effect he had on me. Everything I’d learned that from watching him over time. But it had only really set in tonight. I’d leaned against the counter, sipping a wine cooler he’d offered me and watching him move around. The only sound in the kitchen was the sizzle of steaks in a pan and the swish of his pants as he stepped over to the cutting board. He moved with a relaxed glide that made him seem always comfortable. When people wanted to fight, though he was certainly up to the occasion, he chose to be silent and sit back and watch. There was much wisdom in how he did things.
I watched what he was doing. Remarking on it. “It was full.” The clip was already loaded until he’d taken a round out only to replace it with another one that looked exactly the same to me. He nodded. “So, why do that?” “Rounds get scratched over time and could cause a misfire. Changing them every so option is just one of the ways of ensuring you have a good round ready when you need it.” I nodded. Not really having any idea what he said but willing to sit on the edge of the bed and watch him, nonetheless. There was something very sexy about the nimble way his hands moved over the firearm and the confidence he had when seating it in the holster along his leg. I doubted I could ever be that confident in anything. “What are you thinking?” He said as he pulled his dark coat out of the closet and shrugged into it. “How sexy you look when you’re getting ready to go be a badass.” I admitted. Pulling one knee up to res
I was quiet so long that he felt the need to explain further. “They will, without fail, do something to embarrass me.” “You’re worried about them being embarrassing?” I asked, a bit astonished. He gave me a quizzical look. “Of course. They’re brothers. What did you think I meant?” I shrugged. Staring out the window. Not wanting to admit that I was so self-conscious. But I was incredibly relieved. Not me. Them. He was worried about what I’d think of them. And him after they were done slandering his reputation. “Don’t believe a word they say.” I was kind of excited to hear it. Whatever they’d tell me. All of it. I felt like, despite all that was between us, and had been, that I still knew so little about him. They’ll tell me. I was hopeful. I shot him furtive looks. “What?” He asked. “I can literally feel your excitement.” “I’m ju
“This feisty little bit here,” Mike gestured to the redhead. “Is Lizzy. And the southern bell there is Nita.” “Nita? What a unique name.” I tried complimenting her. But the look on her face didn’t relent. I was getting the hint of animosity from her. The flavor of disdain entering the air. “Not that unique in Alabama.” She corrected. “Alabama? How’d you end all the way up here?” I immediately regretted asking. Wondering if she’d even bother to answer me. I shouldn’t have asked. But to my surprise, Nita answered. “Allen dragged me.” She drawled aloud. Gesturing his direction. I eyed her. Trying to figure out what she meant by that. I couldn’t tell if she truly was a snobbish witch or if this was all part of a sarcastic personality. But Lizzy and Karen already had me. “Careful.” Mike warned. “They’re a pool of pretty piranhas.” “Piranhas?” All three women were shouting after him. He left m