“Deal.”
As we exit the store, Bronx makes sure to slide his arm around my neck and pull me closer to him for everyone to see. It’s such a little thing, like something you want when from a boyfriend in junior high, but it means everything to me. I’m with a gorgeous man who just paid for my Target haul for the world to see.
At this moment, I’m not invisible at all.
In fact, I feel as if for once in my life all eyes are on me.
* * *
Bronx deals with a bit of road rage as we run errands, but all in all, the day was fantastic. It was one of the most laid back and enjoyable times I’ve ever spent with a man. No walking on egg shells whatsoever, but when Bronx’s phone rings for the first time in hours, he has a noticeable reaction to whoever’s calling, and that’s when all of my insecurities kick right back in like they never left.
“Hey.”
31
Bronx
“Who was that?” Karma asks in a voice laced with suspicion after I end my call.
“That was my mom. I forgot I promised her I might stop by tonight. She was calling to remind me.”
“Oh.”
“She made dinner, and I haven’t seen her in a while so–”
I wonder if Karma would want to go with me. I’m not big on family dinners these days, but she’d be a great buffer. Plus, I kind of don’t want to take my eyes off of her pretty ass. If I’m rolling, she’s rolling.”
“Well, let’s go then.”
I smile inwardly.
“Are you sure? You’ve been through a lot these past few days.”
“Are you embarrassed to take me around your family with my face looking like this?”
Of course, she would think that this is about her when it is all about me.
“Why would I be embarrassed of this beautiful face?” I grab her by the chin and pull her in for a quick peck on the lips.
Damn, I’ve kissed this woman more in the past two days, then I have with the last ten women I’ve slept with and I’m not sick of it. In fact, I want her mouth again.
“Then I would love to meet your family. I would thoroughly enjoy meeting the people who made you. They’ve got to be some special folks.”
“Let me warn you now, I’ve got two brothers who I’m pretty sure will be there and they’re probably gonna give me a lot of shit because that’s what we do.”
“Your twin, Seven, and who else?”
“My older brother Knox.”
“I bet you it’s not going to be anything like you're imagining. I’m sure your family is just going to be happy that you’re there. And even if there are some smart comments or jabs thrown your way, it’s better than what I’ve got, and right now that’s not much of anything. All I had was a few text messages with Lev every month, and now I don’t even have that.”
I hang my head down as I start the car. I can’t even bear to look at her. I purposely told her I didn’t want to talk about all the stuff we usually discuss, because I wanted to avoid a conversation about Lev. Days ago, I was so sure that Karma had been put into my life so that I could finally put some closure to what happened to me six years ago, but now I’m thinking I could have been wrong about that.
I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing anymore.
And taking my confused ass to a family dinner with Karma is probably a terrible idea.
I’ve been distant from my family for a long time now, but when I see my Mom it’s as if I’m ten-years-old again. I have a great fucking Mother. She raised three boys, treated us all differently, but gave us each exactly what we needed.
