“What are you afraid to admit?” Ayla joined the line of questioning.
To her, Coast seemed so confident and self-assured. Yet, there was this underlying vulnerability she tried to shield from the rest of the world. Exhaling, Coast’s eyes landed on the heels on her feet before rising to her stomach and settling there.
“That I want this baby.” She sniffled, and her misting eyes found Mozzi’s once again.
He didn’t react. He knew it before she did and was forcing her into her truth. With Sipes as the father, it was easy to want to get rid of it, but she’d never been in this position before. All she knew was that this little being was part of her. How could she erase it without first considering all her options?
When it was Kong’s turn, he refused to sit. Ayla witnessed the tension in his shoulders immediately. As the big brother of the group, he’d experienced more, lost more, and somehow was still standing. She admired him in ways he might not ever know and she’d never reveal. Grinning, Moose shoved him toward the hot seat anyway, forcing him into the chair.
“I got a question for you, big bro. When was the last time you were happy?” Moose queried.
Kong thought about that longer than he was comfortable with, creating tension in the room as he focused on nothing straight ahead. He’d never been susceptible to talking to anyone about his feelings. Even as kids, when they were forced into therapy after going into the system, and he told people what they wanted to hear. Twyla was the only person he ever felt he could be himself with. She never judged and loved every part of him, including the dark areas.
“Before Twyla died,” he answered quietly.
There were no jokes or smiles after that. Clearing her throat, Ayla remained seated.
“What do you want that you think you don’t deserve?”
Kong’s eyes flicked to her immediately. This might be her only chance to pick his brain, so she took it.
“A second chance,” he stated, watching his words make her breathing hitch.
“Whew! This shit is getting heavy.” Mozzi moved closer to the door.
“And where do you think you’re going?” Coast went to grab his arm.
Kong lifted himself from the chair, and she shoved Mozzi down into it. He settled on it like a throne, head held high, ready for whatever. Folding her arms, Coast poked her hip out and squinted at him.
“Why do you have three girlfriends?”
“Oh, damn! Right to it!” Moose snickered and brought the blunt to his lips to spark again, while he took Mozzi’s spot on top of his counter.
“I like having options.” Mozzi looked her dead in her face and replied.
“Do you love them?” Coast quipped, not giving anyone else a chance to chime in.
Amusement bounced all through Moose’s eyes as he pulled from the blunt and squinted before exhaling.
“No.” Mozzi’s eyes never left hers.
Since it looked like she wasn’t giving anyone else an opportunity, Inari inched closer to Moose. The effects of the alcohol completely took over as she paused at his side and dropped her head to his shoulder. Surprised, he didn’t budge or even question it as he kept smoking.
“Have you ever told anybody you loved them before?”
“Once,” Mozzi admitted. “Jane.”
Coast swallowed, accepting his truth before he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him to place her in his lap.
“That was more than two questions, too. I’ll let that shit slide until I got you to myself.”
The music seemed a little louder around them now, and something in the room had damn sure shifted. Ayla leaned into Kong in the waiting chairs, and he let her. Glancing at his watch, he saw that it was late. He hadn’t expected to be out this long so time had gotten away from them. The hot seat had been abandoned, but the truth still lingered in the room over them all.
CHAPTER TWELVE
BLAME IT ON THE…
“Don’t think I didn’t notice how you managed to evade the hot seat,” Moose jested when he and Inari were alone.
