Chapter 14
“You look like shit,” Polly tells me, placing another coffee in front of me.
“I didn’t sleep all night,” I explain, scratching my beard, staring at the door, and willing Alicia to come through it.
“The girl’s gonna be fine, everyone knows Greaser’s crazy about her,” she assures me, having no idea that her words only make me feel worse. I know exactly how crazy he is for her, and I don't know how the fuck I’m gonna feel if it’s too late and she’s given herself to him.
Eventually, the door opens, and that smug bastard steps through it, holding her hand and looking right at me like he’s the fuckin’ victor.
“Hey, everyone,” he greets the room, and I wanna knock the grin off his face as he steps up to the bar. But Alicia pulls away and heads straight for me.
“Vike, I’m so sorry I didn’t call...my battery died. Greaser had no service and—” she starts to explain and is getting herself all worked up.
“Hey, you’re home now, it’s fine.” She looks tired, and I don’t want her panicking over me.
“Vike, we really need to talk.” The shake in her voice makes me nervous; she can barely look me in the eye.
“Are you ok—”
“Alicia, I need you to take Rory for me,” Lettie interrupts us.
“Work just called me, one of the girls hasn’t shown up, and I can’t turn down the chance of an extra shift.
” I can see she feels bad for asking but the beam Alicia makes at the thought of the idea should assure her that she doesn’t mind.
“Of course, I can; I’d love to. Just pick him up from my place when you finish.” Alicia takes the boy out of Lettie’s arms and swings his little backpack over her shoulder.
“Here, let me carry him, he’s too heav–”
“I got it.” Greaser quickly slides between us and takes the boy off her. “Come on, darlin’, I need to get you home. You had a real long night.” He winks at me as he wraps his free arm around her shoulder and leads her toward the door.
“We’ll talk later, right?” She glances back at me, still looking like something's got her worried.
“Yeah.” I nod and put on a smile, watching him steal her away from me again.
I’m about to get up and head to the gym; I need to rid myself of all this frustration and choose my words carefully before this conversation finally happens, when Greaser steps back through the door, still carrying the boy, and makes a beeline toward me.
“I almost forgot, you got my share from that Antonio job?” he asks.
“Sure thing.” Reaching into my pocket, I count out what he's owed and hand it over.
“Thanks, Vike, I’m spending every last dime of this on a ring for my girl.
” He grins. “Last night sealed the deal, and when a man gets a woman like your aunt agreeing to be his wife, you put a ring on that finger quick sharp.” He may be speaking to little Rory, but he’s watching for my reaction.
I’m too hurt and fuckin’ shocked to give him one; this can't be happening. But when I recall that face she gave me before she just left, I realize it wasn’t worry at all.
..it was guilt. I wait for him to leave before heading straight for Vex.
The old man's got a rare smile on his face as he bounces the kid Raze and Peyton are taking care of on his knee.
Teaching him songs no kid should be learning.
“Vex, your cabin free?” I ask, needing to get the fuck away from here before I end up killing someone.
“Sure is, why ya ask?” He takes his eyes away from the boy to look at me.
“You mind if I give it a visit? I need to take some time out.” I don’t wanna close my eyes because I know as soon as I do, I’ll see the pair of them together.
‘This about the girl?” he asks, already taking his keys out of his pocket, and detaching the one I assume is for his cabin from the rest. “You were too slow there, son.” He shakes his head and holds it out for me.
“Tell Raze I’m sorry.” I march out the door and straight to my bike, revving the engine and getting myself outta this town before I do something I can’t take back.