Chapter 2 #2
I see a painful amount of hope flash over her face before she flattens her expression. “Well?”
“He’s on his way.” I rub the back of my neck. “You hungry?”
Her pointy nails, that have an elaborate fucking design on them—sexy as shit and I imagine feeling them scraping down my back—tap on the table. “Uhm… yeah, a bit.”
I bump my head toward the door. “Come on, we always have shit to make sandwiches.”
She follows me to the kitchen, we pull open the refrigerator doors and look inside, I point out shit and she and I both start pulling things out. We slap together some sandwiches without saying much to each other. She cuts her down the middle then turns her head to look at me. “Thank you.”
I shrug. “Just a sandwich and you did all the work.”
Her head shakes. “For calling and letting me in.”
I don’t have to come up with a response because Hanger calls out, “Carbon.”
“Kitchen,” I shout back.
Harry’s body stiffens as Hanger’s heavy steps get closer, he turns into the doorway, bringing him into her full view.
Her fingers press against the counter beside her plate, her nail beds going a little white as her nails press into the surface.
A glance at Hanger shows him gripping hold of the doorframe.
“Well, fuck.” His other hand shoves up into his hair. “Fuck, baby girl.”
Harry’s body sags with relief, she practically sprints around the counter then dives into Hanger’s big body. His arms come around her tight. “Hush now, baby girl. You found me.”
He looks shell shocked but also pained. His eyes meet mine as he clutches her closer to him.
I don’t think it is possible to dispute she is his.
Her skin is the exact color of his. Her hair is his too, except from before his went more salt and pepper at the front and sides.
She is like a dainty little Hanger. His hand smooths down over her arm as his eyes drop to the sleeve tattoo there.
“This is some real pretty ink,” his voice choked and quiet. Hanger is a rough fucking man, but he is a good man. He was a damn good father to Mint and he took Wally in as his too. Harry is going to be okay.
Her head tips back as she looks up at him. “Thank you. It was really hard getting the back parts done, but a mirror and practice make perfect.”
He chuckles. “You a tattoo artist?”
She beams up at him. “I am.”
“Damn, that’s cool. I have some skin still needing some work, might need to have my little girl do it.” He winks at her.
“You feel it too?” she asks.
“Yeah, baby girl, I feel it. Ain’t no mistaking you’re mine. Real sorry you had to contend with Pam on your own. You, okay?” He eyes her.
She shrugs. “We don’t talk. I don’t see her. I moved out when I was seventeen. Sorta when I was sixteen.”
“Harry? She named you Harry?”
“Harlow. I just prefer to go by Harry.” Well, that explains a lot. Though, it has grown on me, it’s cute as fuck and I decide I’m a fan.
Hanger chuckles. “I like it.”
“You have a son.” She steps back from him.
“Yeah, he goes by Peppermint or Mint, but his name is Frederick or Ricky. Hope you are ready for an overprotective big brother,” he rasps out another laugh.
I know I should give them some space right now, but I can’t bring myself to step away from her.
I am gobbling up every little piece of information she gives about herself.
Her little shoulders lift and drop in a cute shrug that seems to suggest interest instead of being noncommittal.
“I mean, I’m a grown woman, not much overprotecting he can do. ”
Hanger’s head drops back as he lets out a deep hearty laugh. I chuckle with him and quietly share, “Haven’t met Mint yet.”
Her head twists to look at me, scowling. “I’m not a child.”
“Baby girl, no one is going to think you are, but Mint is the protective type.” He smirks at her. “You are going to go from zero to a hundred with a daddy and brother.”
She eyes him. “I grew up with a Dad.”
Hanger’s cheek twitches. “He hurt you?”
Her body tenses. “He didn’t hit me.”
Hanger’s eyes narrow. “Pam hit you?”
Harry lifts and drops one shoulder.
“Fucking bitch,” he growls. “And this man she had around you… what did he fucking do? Clearly, he didn’t protect you.”
“He wasn’t nice, but he didn’t hit me. He was just creepy. He didn’t touch me either. Not like that, just… looked.” Her shrug this time is really small, like she is embarrassed but still trying to make light of whatever fucked up life she led while she was a kid.
I roll my neck hoping that we will be paying these assholes a visit sometime soon.
“But it’s fine. I have Roxy.” She beams. “Roxy is the absolutely best and has been watching out for me since I was sixteen.”
Hanger’s eyes scan her. “I don’t know anyone named Roxy…”
“She’s a nurse that I met when I was… uh… younger.” She shrugs again.
“Baby girl, I have known you two seconds, and I can see your tell. So, how did you meet a nurse and why are you trying to make it seem like not a big deal?” he grumbles.
She shifts on her feet, her voice comes out so quiet, “Too much for day one. Please.”
Hanger’s face drops, he can see something in her face that is breaking his heart, I can feel it in her voice. “Alright little Harry. We can save that for when you are ready. Where are you living?”
“I live in Portland with Roxy.” Her body firms back up along with her voice. “I got in late last night. I, uhm, I stayed at the Marriott in downtown. I, uhm, thought it would be best to come during the day… maybe that was a weird choice.”
“Nah, this is perfect. Come on, let’s go have lunch and talk some more. Okay?” He smiles gently at her. “I want to know you.”
“Yeah?” she questions, her voice filled with hope.
His lips lift higher. “Yeah.”
She motions to the counter at her sandwich. “I just made?—”
“Don’t worry, guarantee if you set it in the fridge, it will be gone within the hour.” He chuckles. He isn’t wrong. His eyes meet mine. “You got things?”
I nod.
Then he leads her out and I feel oddly hollow inside.