"That was Violet," I assured him. "Seems she doesn't tolerate people who mess with kids, and that woman has some crazy connections. You know she's friends with the state guy from around here? Um, the one down in Austin."
"Fuck politics," Mike grumbled. "Nothing but taxes. All I'm saying is that if you have a friend, you might wanna get them to push, because otherwise, it ain't going away. They're damned proud of themselves, you know? Said you've gone to the dark side and shit."
"What's the real story?" I asked, because Mike always knew what was going on in this town.
He dropped into his chair again with a fresh beer, but he didn't open it. "Simmons wants Southwind. Some contractor he's working with has plans to subdivide it, but they need the water. Simmons makes a few more million, and he gets to pretend like he's big shit in town, because the only competition - your girlfriend - will be long gone. Helping Meredith's a means to that end. Simmons figures that woman will break if her boyfriend dumps her, so he's got something that's a big deal. Nope, don't know what it is, but he's damned proud of himself for it. And he's gonna use that shit to ruin you, you're gonna blame her, and then they'll chase out the gays. Cats Peak is back to normal, Simmons is back to being the king of the hill, and you get fucked over in the process."
"How does ruining me make that happen?" I asked.
Mike looked at me like I was a complete idiot. "Because as soon as you dump her, there's no reason for a woman like that to stay in a place like this. She'll sell that place and run back to her big city. Heard Simmons saying that's what she did the last time."
"The 'last time,'" I told him, "she was a teenager.
"She ain't much more than that to Old Man Simmons," he pointed out. "He says she's excitable, whatever the fuck that means."
"Means he thinks she's a dumb girl," I grumbled. "Fucker! So he's willing to drop cash and favors to make this happen?"
"Shit, it’s not as much as he's gonna get back," Mike said. "Luke, you got a real big problem, and it starts with that arrest and ends with your kid. You pissed off Simmons, and I'm willing to bet that half his fun is getting even with ya for it. I know that ain't what you wanna hear, but you've pissed off the wrong folks."
"No," I assured him, "I'm in bed with the right ones. I don't know what Violet can do, but I am damned well hoping she can do something."
Mike leaned in. "Sonoware you gonna show me pics of her naked?"
I just laughed. "No. If you want to see her in a bikini, though, you can walk your ass outside."
Chapter Forty-Four
When Luke got back, he told us all about what he'd heard at the garage. It wasn't good, but I'd already set a date with Kindle for tonight, so I couldn't do much to help. Violet promised she had it and told me not to worry. Said she'd start with Chartreuse and end with Cobalt if she had to.
Ash was just as bad. He dragged me upstairs and picked out my clothes for this. I refused the first five outfits, so then he changed directions and picked out a magenta shirt and black jeans. That was more the style I was hoping for. I put it on, but that still wasn't enough. He was adamant that I had to fix my hair, clean up my beard, and make one hell of an impression. Never mind that I'd be wearing my helmet there, but I did it just to make my boyfriend happy.
When it was time and I went to leave, Luke caught my arm at the base of the stairs. He didn't say a word, but our eyes met, and I heard everything he wanted to say. Then the man just rubbed my arm, told me to drive safely, and let me go. In all honesty, that was harder to walk away from than Ash's hovering. I liked all of it, though. Made me feel a little wanted.
But it was a long ride to Sherman, and most of it was on back roads. I may have driven a little too fast, and I definitely leaned my bike into the corners a bit too much. Still, I eventually pulled up at the Denny's we'd agreed on. Sure enough, Kindle's car was already here, and I hoped like hell that Emilio wasn't in the back of it.
I checked my watch, but I was early. Not that it mattered. He was here, and I was not ready for this. I still marched my ass inside and headed for his table. Naturally, my ex was at a booth - he always preferred those - and he had a coffee waiting in front of my seat. I dropped my helmet by the wall, then slid onto the bench.
"Still have the bike?" he asked, looking over where I'd stashed my helmet.
"Yep." I reached for a cream and a sugar. "Where's Emilio?"
"Hotel."
I just nodded. "Why did you come to Texas, Kindle? I don't want some bullshit reason, either. If you're not going to be straight with me, I'll get my ass up and head back home. I promise none of those people are going to let you inside the gates again."
He leaned forward and scrubbed at his face, but before he could answer, a cute little waiter walked up. The kid looked to be in his twenties, and he smiled at us both kindly, asking if we knew what we wanted. Kindle just gestured for me to make that call because I hadn't even looked at a menu, but I didn't need to.
I ordered something with lots of eggs, more meat, and some pancakes on the side. Kindle asked for a sandwich. One more example of why we'd never work, and not the same as Violet. Not at all. She didn't eat, but she loved to sit and talk while the rest of us did. She also tried, and the more food we ordered, the better the chances were that she'd pick at it. Kindle was more worried about being a perfect date, because I'd seen the man eat at home. So, the moment the waiter left, I made it clear I was still waiting.
"No bullshit this time," I reminded him.
He just sighed. "I was with Jonathan for a few months. Then work found out, and dating is against company policy, so we both got fired. He blamed me, even though he made the first move." He waved that all away. "So, I'm out of a job, the lease was up - and it was in your name and they wanted me to apply and go through the whole process. Would have had to move to a new apartment, even if I stayed in the same complex. So, I put everything in a storage unit and decided I had nothing left to lose."
"Uh huh. And why him?" I asked. "Seriously, where did we go wrong?"
"You ask this even with that man's picture on the wall the whole time?" He huffed, clearly frustrated with me.
I lifted my coffee and took a long and somewhat noisy sip. "Ok." Then another. "Here's what you need to understand. When I met Ash, I was gay and he was straight. We were kids, didn't have a fucking clue, and didn't really care. Fell in love, lived it up for a few years, and it was great. The three amigos, right?"
