26. Leo
CHAPTER 26
Leo
After one cold shower and a million thoughts to make my dick soft, I’m finally cooled down. Although, no matter how many times I brush my teeth, I can still taste her. Once I get a taste of her, it’s hard to get rid of, like she is forever embedded in my taste buds.
Don’t get attached, Leo. It’s not a good look on you.
“Shut up,” I threaten the voice in my head as I put on a clean shirt and jeans, grab my keys off the counter, and clutch them in my hand. Pausing next to the island, thoughts of what happened this morning wiggle into my head.
What kind of name is Slater? And why do I give a fuck? Veronica can sleep with whoever the hell she wants. It’s none of my business. But what he asked her on the phone… the same amount as last month ?
Is she sleeping with him for money? Is that how she’s able to afford everything she has? I know she doesn’t have a job, and she’s not spending her money on extravagant things.
Look at her apartment, for Christ's sake.
There is nothing in it.
Cracking my neck, I let the questions leave me with each pop of my bones. I don’t have time to think about this guy right now. Going over to Veronica’s apartment this morning is already making me late.
I couldn’t help it. We hadn’t seen each other since the day that Edith came into town, and that was weeks ago. It’s not like I missed her or anything because I didn’t.
Fuck, okay. Maybe I missed her a little bit. That’s wrong. Why the hell do I feel the need to miss her after everything?
Was I planning on doing anything sexual with Veronica when I was over? No. I was only wanting to get on her nerves. Scare her a bit. But again, I couldn’t help myself.
I also didn’t expect to take a knife to her fucking skin. Things got heated, more like the fires from Hell drove their way through the ground below and wrapped their flames around us. Hell’s leader possessed my body, and I got caught up in the moment.
A moment proving she has you wrapped around her finger… right where she wants you.
“I’m not wrapped around her damn finger.” I exhale a strong sigh. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I do, and that’s what irritates you.
Cracking my neck to make the voice disappear. I grab my phone for a distraction and check the time. Shit . I’m running late, and Chloe’s going to be pissed.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m pulling into the cemetery entrance. We had plans to celebrate Mom's birthday last month, but with all of us having to go to work, Carter's school schedule, and Chloe being sick with this pregnancy, we haven’t found the time.
Until today.
It’s Sunday, which means the shop is closed. Myles and Chloe don’t work, and Carter doesn’t have school. The weather is perfect, and Chloe feels more like herself.
I park next to my father’s truck and hop out. Combing a hand through my hair, I approach my family, who has set up a picnic blanket beside Mom’s grave.
“Look who decided to show up!” Myles jokes.
Chloe whips her head in my direction and squints her eyes. “You’re late. Why?”
“Uh—” I scratch the back of my neck, glancing between Dad and Myles before finding my sister’s heated stare. “I was with Camille.”
“Oh.” Chloe’s shoulders relax a bit at the news. “I guess that’s fine.”
She returns to setting plates out on the blanket when Myles comes to stand with me. We watch Chloe neatly placing dishes and food containers on the blanket while Carter plays with a toy he brought. Dad sits down, offering my sister a helping hand.
“What were you doing with her ?” His voice remains quiet so the others won't hear.
“Don’t worry about it, Myles,” I try to brush him off, turning my head to face him with a smile.
“You can’t tell me not to worry about you,” he states with annoyance. “What if she were to stab you again?”
I roll my eyes. “No one is stabbing anyone.”
If only he knew about the knife I used on Veronica. He wouldn’t believe me even if I told him. I’ve never done anything like that before.
“Uncle Leo!” Carter buzzes when he tears his attention from the toy and finally sees me. He plasters a massive smile on his face as he runs up and wraps his arms around my legs.
“Hey, bud.” I ruffle his hair. Myles walks over to Chloe, and thankfully our conversation is paused now that Carter is within listening distance.
“I drew Grandma a picture!” He stares up at me, still holding onto my legs.
“Let’s see it,” I suggest, and he immediately unwraps himself from me.
He has a white piece of paper in his hand. From here, I can see the different colors drawn out, but when he hands it over, I get a better view.
It’s a family photo—all of us, including my mom. We are sitting on a blanket with food and drinks. I peer over the paper to see that the blanket Carter drew is the same one we are using today.
“It’s a picture of today,” I murmur while inspecting the drawing.
“When my mom told me what we were doing today, I wanted to draw it.” A soft smile plays on his lips, but the corners soon turn into a slight frown. “I put Grandma in the drawing.”
“I see that.” I smile down at him. “You made her purple.”
“Well, yeah!” The frown disappears now and is replaced by a wide smile. “It’s her favorite color.”
“She was also purple in your drawing of her and Lucy.” I chuckle.
“I know.” He giggles. “I think I’ll always make her purple.”
I grin, glancing at the photo again. There are trees behind us, and behind them is a rainbow in the drawing. We aren’t at a cemetery in this photo. We are a typical family having a picnic in a park.
For only being nine, Carter has some skill. He’s come a long way from the stuff he was making three years ago.
“It’s perfect, Carter,” I praise, handing his drawing back to him. He takes it and runs over to Chloe.
He plops himself down next to Chloe and Myles and shows them the drawing. They look at it, tears brimming in Chloe’s eyes. She uses one of the napkins to wipe away a tear. I smile while watching Carter explain the drawing to them.
Myles is listening like it is the most exciting story he has ever heard. I glance at my father, who is also watching the interaction. A wide smile spreads across his lips. This is the first time I’ve seen him look truly happy since Mom died.
“So,” Chloe speaks up after Carter begins playing with a toy that he brought with him in his backpack. “You and Camille? It’s getting serious now?”
“I wouldn’t say that.” I clear my throat. “Can we not talk about her?”
“I second that,” Myles huffs.
Chloe turns her head towards him. “What? Don’t you like Camille?”
He inhales a deep breath, side-eyeing me for help, but I keep my mouth shut.
Letting the breath out, he says, “She’s fine. I still think it’s too early for Leo to consider dating. Plus, what if he fell in love in prison, and we don’t know about it yet?”
“Fell in love?” Dad murmurs to himself beside me. “In prison?”
“He could have easily bonded with someone in there.” Myles keeps up the ruse, and I have to swallow my laugh. “We wouldn’t judge you, Leo, if you fell in love with a man. Is he cute? Strong? Can I kick his ass?”
I roll my lips together to keep the laughter at bay, and my mind goes to Reed.
He and Walt were the only people I was close to in there. Is it weird that I don’t miss being locked away, but I miss them?
“Seeing as he was in for murder, I don’t think you’d be able to.”
Myles and Chloe’s eyes go wide. I look over at my dad and toss him a wink. He laughs with a shake of his head once he realizes we are only messing with them.
“You didn’t meet a guy in there, did you?” Chloe questions.
“I met a lot of men in there, but no, I didn’t fall in love with any of them.” I lean back on my hands. “Camille and the men I met in prison are off-topic for today. We are here for Mom.”
“Right.” Chloe nods. “Sorry. I just really like Camille. I think she could be good for you.”
I chew at the inside of my cheek, keeping my eyes on her. Part of me wishes I could tell Chloe who Camille really is. If I did, she would cut ties with her.
But then it would tear her apart. Thinking that she had this great friend, only to realize that her best friend was the one that stabbed me and left me for dead.
“Before we drop the subject of you two, you’re walking down the aisle with her at the wedding.” She speaks rapidly, shooting me a smile. “Okay! Conversation over! Today is a day for Mom.”
“She’s your Maid of Honor?” There is no way that is true. Chloe has other friends who could take that role. “Did she put you up to this?”
Chloe’s head whips in my direction. “What? No. It was my decision. Now, we are dropping the conversation.”
Rolling my jaw, I stare at Chloe. I want so badly to say something back to her. Walking down the aisle with Veronica is not a good idea. What is also not a good idea is the fact that she is even at the wedding, but now she is the fucking Maid of Honor?
What was Chloe thinking? They’ve only been friends for some months, and Chloe is okay with having her be there for her special day.
When I look at Myles, the expression on his face reveals that he was unaware of Chloe's decision.
I open my mouth, but before speaking, Carter suggests, “Why don’t we go around and say something nice about Grandma?”
All of our eyes go to him. My father asks, “Like a memory?”
“Yeah,” Carter shrugs.
“That’s a great idea, honey.” Chloe kisses the top of his head. “Who wants to start?”