“That’s why right there—you’re gushing over me. I don’t like that bullshit.”
“Why are you holding back on me?” Nalani laughs.
“’Cause I think you got the hots for me, kid.” He chuckles.
“It’s the hair,” she says as she passes him and opens some door, and a fucking hen walks out of it.
“Could have done that myself,” he quips.
“I know. I just wanted to check on the big guy before I hit the hay.”
“You stop calling him Cock because of that one?” He throws his thumb over his shoulder.
“Which one?” She asks.
“The one that’s got hair almost as good as mine,” he says as he turns the corner to head down the hall. “He’s more your age, kid, but you should never trust a player.”
Once a door shuts behind him, Dash freaks out. “Paul freaking Bronski has chickens?”
“Hens and a rooster,” Nalani corrects him.
He makes an explosion sign with his hands. “You live with Paul freaking Bronski.”
“I thought I rented an apartment from him, but yeah, I guess so.” She shrugs
I lean over and whisper to Koa, “Jesus, is this what we have to look forward to?”
“Only if you’re lucky.” Nalani scowls at me.
“He has birds.” I shake my head.
“His wife of over sixty years had birds. She passed away a few years ago.” She nods to the door. “The elevator is getting fixed next week. Until then, we take the stairs.”
“How does he keep tenants here?” Koa asks, looking around.
“He got rid of them when someone turned him in,” Nalani says as she starts up the stairs.
“The tenants over the birds?” Koa grumbles.
“At least one of them was hers. They didn’t have kids, so yeah.”
Noelle sighs. “That’s so romantic.”
“Or insane,” Koa says quietly.
She smacks him, “He’s a good man.”
“With hens.” Koa quirks a brow.
“And a cock.” Noelle laughs as she starts up the stairs.
“What floor?” Dash asks, taking the stairs three at a time.
“Four.”
“You’re serious?” I ask.
“Suck it up, big guy. You’re only carrying yourself up. Claudia carries herself, a diaper bag, and a baby at least three times a day up and down them.” Nalani chirps.
