“Jag.”
“Kar.”
“Really?”
He looks up, his brows are still furrowed from his call and the hints of pain I saw the other night are swimming in his eyes. It’s crazy that I’m broke and homeless and I feel for him. Possessions are one thing but love is another.
“I thought we were trying out nicknames,” he quips as if he doesn’t call me a nickname all the time.
“You’re hurt and your mother is hurt in different ways.” He furrows his brows at me but I hold up my hands. “Hear me out. We know the deals made at the table are beyond us. My mom has cursed my dad’s existence every day since that game but she’s not at the table. Our mothers have power but not that kind of power. I’m not trying to be a family therapist nor am I saying your mother is innocent, I’m just saying ask yourself how you’d feel if she was suddenly taken away from you... like Bethany.”
I cringe internally expecting to be cussed the fuck out. Bringing up his best friend’s mom who was like a mom to him is one hell of a gamble. He glares at me so long I begin to catalogue places I could possibly go. Oddly enough Elmer offered me a room in the Hale mansion. I let out a sigh when he disappears into the bathroom instead.
Chapter Five
Jagger
Damn that Karessaand her nosy ass.Shit.I want to be mad in peace and she pulls the fucking death card. I never felt pain like I did when Oran called me. He was so distraught he sounded like a ghost of himself and I felt my heart breaking for the death of someone I held dear again. I needed to hold it together for Oran because Elmer was no fucking help acting like he was the one so utterly lost without her. Attention seeking asshole.
I splash some water on my face then take a few deep breaths to recenter my emotions. At least Karessa is a good fuck and cares enough to risk getting kicked the fuck out. I considered it but the longer I looked at her the more I saw the concern; she really is a bleeding heart sometimes.
I think while I brush my teeth again. Andres is more my mom’s friend than my dad so he would’ve helped but the news of her kidnapping came from my dad. She backed my dad instead of me. She knew better than anyone how I feel about Layla. Now, I can’t go anywhere near her without consequences. They want me to cut out my heart and go through the motions. Still, I could hear the uneasiness in her tone when she called. I know this won’t be a pleasant lunch. Breathing deep I decide to listen to the unwanted advice from Karessa.
She’s nowhere in sight when I return to my bedroom.Smart girl.I respect how she knows it's best to sit her ass down somewhere and be quiet. Checking my phone I see that if I leave now I’ll get there about an hour before my mom. Good. I need a drink.
I send Karessa a text because I don’t feel like talking and ride the elevator down to the parking lot. I peel out in my Aston Martin and press the speed and law limits. The adrenaline spike from driving bat shit crazy soothes a little of my anxiety but it’s not enough.
I flag down the bartender. He nods and starts pouring. My family comes here enough for most of the staff to know my standing order and drink. Moving to the table that’s always reserved for the Hanlons, I wait for my drink.
“Just drinks for now or do you want me to put in your order, Mr. Hanlon?”
Ew.I’m too predictable here but my mind is too occupied to care.
“Just the drinks. Put our food order in when my mom shows up.”
She bobs her blonde head and makes a note. “Just the two of you, sir?”
I nod as my thumb taps the table. “I think so.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I check the screen to see Karessa’s name. My drink is placed in front of me just as I tap the screen. I take a sip and stare at the screen because I know what her green eyes are seeking. Her clearing out and calling me once she believes I’ve cooled down is almost comical.
“What?” I gripe after another sip. She still has on my robe. It’s far more arousing than it should be but I’ve been pouncing on her all morning.
“I was thinking…” she starts.
“Haven’t we had enough of your thoughts for today?”
She pastes on one of her “event smiles” but I catch her mouthmutherfucker. It’s very hard to notice but I was already looking at her lips.
“I was just going to say that since we’re in this together I can join you if it’ll make it easier for you to have a buffer.”
I snort. “The only thing you canbufferis the space between my dick and the mattress.”
I look up at the server as if she didn't turn red and point at my almost empty cup.
“Jagger, I’m useful for more than just sex.”
“Oh, yeah? Go put on that fucking French Maid number I got for you and cook my favorite dinner.”
