Chapter 22
EVER
“It must be if you’re using the big words.”
He smirks. “This is serious, E.”
“I’m all ears.”
“My grandma finally got approval from the insurance company to have her hip replacement. It’s my turn to take care of her.”
“If it wasn’t your turn, whose would it be?”
“My cousin Slate.”
“Does he work at Crimson?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“No reason.”
“Ever.”
I wave my hand. “He let me in, okay? He looked like a meaner version of you, if that’s even possible. Is he single?”
“You’re not dating my cousin.”
“I’m asking for a friend.”
“He’s too old for any of your friends,” Gage grinds out from between clenched teeth.
I shrug. “That’s his call and not yours.”
“Ever!”
I put up my palms like I’m surrendering.
“Sorry. Can’t help it.” Gage’s buttons are easy to push.
I sit with my knees to my chest and study my brother’s friend with my eyes narrowed.
“Has anyone ever told you you’re too serious and should loosen up?
” I scrunch my face. “Boy, I feel sorry for the girl who falls hard for you.”
Another jab at his personal life.
“Can’t get no girl when I have my hands full with another girl who throws me nothing but attitude.” He pointedly looks at me.
Gage wants me to drop the subject of Finley.
Not my fault that he volunteered to be my shadow after Carlos’s death.
Gage said it was easier for him to keep an eye on me because he works as a freelancer and has a say on what hours and days he works.
His services must be in demand. Gage keeps our fridge and pantry full and my gas tank filled.
“You might find a girl when you go and help your grandma.”
“Not happening. I’ve sworn off all relationships.” Since Finley called off their engagement.
Finley is the opposite of Gage in personality and mood. He’s intense and loud. She’s quiet. Not reserved or standoffish, but quiet in an observant way, like she’s taking everything in. Gage is moody. Finley keeps her emotions in check.
If they’re different in personality, they complement one another in the looks department.
He’s tall. She’s short. He’s muscular. Finley is strong, but Gage insisted he do everything for her.
Gage is tatted. Finley’s skin is flawless, and she’s naturally tan.
Gage has dark, almost black hair. Finley’s long, inky hair falls to the small of her back.
“Is your grandma in the same cute house?” The one we moved the chewed-up coffee table from.
“Yeah. She’ll die in that house. Her words.”
I decide to stir the pot. “I overheard Finley’s cousin Asher talking to her twin at Gigi’s Diner.
Finley moved back to Montgomery. Her boss is letting her work from home.
” Sounds like a dream gig. “She’s renting a loft in the International District.
” After the breakup, Finley relocated to Alexandria for a job.
“Maybe you’ll run into her.” Gage’s grandmother’s place is on the outskirts.
“Is that so?” His jaw hardens. “From now on, I’ll remember to stay away from that neck of the woods.”
It’s his loss that he’s still butthurt from the fallout of Finley picking her mental health over getting hitched. “How long will you be gone?”
“Two weeks.” Gage’s sharp gaze shoots to my feet. “Damn it, E. I said no shoes in the house. And definitely no shoes on my grandma’s couch!”
Because it also holds sentimental value to him. I can imagine grumpy Gage snuggling up to his grandma’s dogs on this couch.
“You didn’t give me a chance to take them off.”
Before I can do it, he grabs my ankles and tugs until I’m flat on my back with my shoes pressing on his thigh. He yanks off my Chucks and tosses them near the front door.
“What other emergencies are there?” I slide back up and rest my back on the arm.
“Lucas Harrington is working with the city to add an elementary school with a preschool a block from Ty’s studio and José’s nightclub.”
“That’s an emergency how?”
“Zoning rules, E. A school, an elementary school, will be the death of Red Dahlia.”
“But Red Dahlia is Carlos’s and his family’s legacy. They built that club from the ground up. Changed it from a dance school to a club. Continued to give dance lessons there. Doesn’t Mr. Harrington realize how important the club is to the people who grew up there?”
“He doesn’t give a shit. He has the politicians in his deep pockets, and those dirtbags want to change the landscape of our neighborhood. Less thugs and gangbangers and more families with young kids.”
“Not true. The International District is diverse. Why can’t they see that?”
“They don’t want to.”
“What can we do?”
“For now, the crew is lying low. No large gatherings. No revving their crotch rockets or the engines on their DSMs and JDMs. Quiet as a mouse. We are epitomizing the saying ‘See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.’”
“Until when?” The crew won’t stand down to the local politicians for long. They’ll make their unhappiness known, worsening the situation for all businesses in the International District, not just for my brother and José.
“Give it two weeks. Something is brewing between Asher and Lucas’s son, Zeke. She’ll have an in and can hopefully defuse the situation. They’re keeping close tabs on her in case the situation goes sideways.”
Asher is in a complicated relationship with Ty and Carlos, but not in a romantic or threesome sense.
If she has something going on with Zeke Harrington, #OneandDone, expect me to be on the sidelines, cheering her on.
I have a feeling Asher will bring him to his knees with her smarts, beauty, and attitude.
“Does that mean I’m on my own for two weeks?”
“I’d say so, kid.”