Rebel’s eyes twinkle. “Nope.”
“But I am really going downstairs, though. Have fun with your mom, Shorts. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With a wink, I walk to the apartment door.
“Hey,” Layne says softly as I pass her. “Are you going to be gone for long?” There’s a strange look in her eyes and I’m not quite sure what to make of it.
“Don’t know, baby. I have a key, so if you want to lock the door it’s no problem.” I give a slight, reassuring smile and wait for her to answer.
Layne’s mouth opens, but shuts just as quickly. Then she nods and turns to Rebel. That’s my cue to go downstairs.
I bound down the stairs, two at a time, and stroll into the bar. There, I take a seat.
“A beer,” I mutter to West, our prospect. Without saying anything, he starts to work and a few moments later a pint is in front of me. I take a sip and set the glass back on the counter. With my hand still clasped around it, I stare into the white foam as if I can find all the answers to life there. I need a solution regarding Layne; her staying in my apartment is messing with my head.
Suddenly Pax punches me against my shoulder. “Chapel in fifteen minutes.” He slides onto a stool next to me. “All this shit Layne got us into, thatyougot us into, makes us have to figure out how to get back out of it.”
“We didn’t get the club into anything, jerk. You know that very well. I saved her from those bastards who wanted to kidnap her. You were there yourself, what the fuck you want?”
My little brother makes a disdainful noise. “Yeah, sure. I was there.”
“What, Pax? What’s the problem?” I let go of my glass, fearing I might crush it otherwise.
“You should’ve just left her alone, like I’ve been saying all along. Not that you ever listen to me, but you could’ve at least said,Gee Pax, I don’t think I’m going to do that, so prepare for a lot of shit.Get it?”
“No, I really don’t.”
“I’d just appreciate it if you were fucking honest with me,” he spits out.
I meet his dark brown eyes, identical to my father’s. “I never lied to you, man.” Externally, I’m unnervingly tranquil, yet internally, my blood is boiling.
He raises his eyebrow. “Is she a good fuck, Ky?”
Without thinking, I punch him.
He jumps off his stool. A colorful rainbow of swear words comes out of his mouth, then he wipes the blood from his lip with the back of his hand. “Fucking bastard.”
“Nice of you to say that to yourself. Then I won’t have to.” If looks could kill, that punch would be the last thing my stupid little brother would have to worry about.
“Damn it, Ky.”
I stand up and grab him by the collar of his shirt. Slowly I pull him toward me, my nose against his. “No, little brother. You need to learn to shut the fuck up. Even if I fucked her, it’s still none of your business whether or not it’s good.”
“Kyler, let him the fuck go.”
When I hear my father’s voice I stiffen, but I don’t let go of my brother. Instead, I look over my shoulder at the older version of me with Pax’s eyes.
“Or else?” I challenge Dad.
“Or else I’ll make you let go of him.” He steps closer and puts his hand on my shoulder.
I growl. “He needs to learn to watch his words.”
Dad raises an eyebrow. “Why’d you think I let you take care of business?” He shifts his gaze to Pax, whom I finally release. “He could never shut up when he needed to, and I don’t think he’s learned that yet.”
“That’s bullshit, Dad,” Pax sulks.
The prez pulls a disapproving face and sits down on the stool where Pax sat earlier. “If it’s bullshit, then I wonder why I justheard you ask Kyler if Layne is a good fuck.” My little brother doesn’t answer. “If you ever ask me that shit, a punch isn’t the only answer, Paxton.”
Pax hums quietly, saying nothing. The chances of him asking my dad if Mom is a good fuck are zero to none. Nobody wants to know that shit about his parents.
