“Your list of requirements is really long,” I say with a wink.
“Oh, shut up, you. Look at the requirements you’ve ticked off.” And then we both burst out laughing and it seems like nothing happened.
Forty-Two
“Areyouhappythatyou can sleep in your own bedroom tonight, Shorts?” I look up at Rebel and chew on my steak.
She shrugs her slender shoulders. “Yes, and no.”
“Yes, and no?” I tilt my head and scrape my fork over my plate.
“I don’t really care,” she mumbles.
I frown at Layne, but she seems concerned about her daughter as well. To be honest, I wonder if this has anything to do with the kidnapping, but I don’t really pursue it. All I say is, “At least you and your mom are safe now.”
She just shrugs her shoulders, but says nothing else. It’s clear that something’s bothering her, but who am I to ask? I decide to leave her be and finish my dinner. “I have to be at Pax's at seven-thirty, and I’m guessing it’s going to be a long night.”
Layne gets up from her chair and takes my plate to the kitchen counter. “Okay, good to know. Will you be coming by tomorrow?” She looks at me questioningly, and an uncomfortable feeling settles in my stomach.
“I’m going upstairs,” Rebel announces. “Kyler, can you come up before you leave?” Her dark-brown eyes bore into my face.
“Yeah, sure, Shorts,” I say, confused. These two women…
As soon as Rebel has gone upstairs, I get up and walk over to Layne. “Honey, I thought…” I rub my forehead. “Fuck, Layne. Yesterday… I thought I was clear.”
“You were. I just find it hard to imagine.” She focuses her attention on the dishes in front of her and starts moving things around.
I move behind her and put my arms around her waist. “I love you, Layne, and if it’s up to me, I’ll come over as soon as I’ve done my duties for the club. If all goes well, I’ll have a few days off soon, and then I want to move my things, if that’s okay with you.” I rest my chin on her shoulder.
She nods. “Of course it’s okay with me.” She turns around, forcing me to lift my head, and wraps her arms around my neck.
“Okay.” I squeeze my arms around her. “I’m going to check on your daughter now.”
Suddenly, she presses her lips to mine. “I love you too,” she whispers.
With a grin on my face, I walk up the stairs.
I gently knock on Rebel’s door and wait for her to call me inside. When I open the door, I’m met by a soft-pink bedroom with white accents. The light-gray carpet from the hallway runs into the room. My eyes go to her neatly made bed, but she’s not there. In the corner of the room, an egg-shaped wicker chair hangs from a hook in the ceiling. Fairy lights wrap around the edge, casting a soft glow on her sad face. Rebel’s legs are tucked under her, and she’s holding a book in her lap.
“Hey, Shorts,” I say softly and close the door behind me. Rebel slams her book shut, and a grimace appears on her face. I point to her desk chair. “May I?”
After she nods, I sit down with the backrest in front of my chest. “What’s bothering you?”
Rebel stares out the window toward the street. It’s still early, so the sun’s still up. “Do you love Mom?”
Okay, didn’t see that one coming, but I automatically answer, “Yes.” I take a deep breath and slide a little closer to her. “And I love you too, Shorts. You don’t have to—”
“I know,” she interrupts me. “Or at least, you’re nice to me.” Her gaze is that of a girl who’s been through too much,seentoo much. As if she’s lived a thousand lives and watched her entire childhood pass before her eyes. A look that cuts me to the core. Everything Layne was afraid of, this girl has experienced.
“Dad loved Mom,” she whispers. “At least I always thought so, Kyler. He held Mom’s hand when we went out to dinner. He gave her hugs and kisses, and yet…” Her voice trails off, trembling.
“And yet what, Shorts?” I grab the chair so she’s facing me.
Her eyes glisten in the soft light, as if she’s about to cry. “Why did he die? Why did those men come? Why’s Brandon’s mom dead, Kyler? Is it all Dad’s fault?”
I jump up from the desk chair and crouch down in front of her. “Oh God, Rebel, no.”
“No?” She looks up at me from under her thick eyelashes.
