Me: I thought you were still on lockdown?
I type out.
Ever since the night at the movie theater a month ago, her brother hasn’t let her go anywhere. And by “anywhere,” I meananywhere. Work, school, and the mailbox. That’s it. Those are the only places she’s allowed to go.
Stella’s been climbing the walls.
Stella: He’s out of town What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
I snort. She’s flirting with danger. I’ve known Journey for years, and he’s a freaking grump.
He’s also the reason my stomach does backflips every time Stella mentions his name, but that is a secret I’ll take to my grave.
Me: You’re brave, biotch.
Stella: He’s on his way back from Kings Haven right now, so I’ve got a couple of hours of freedom. YAY ME!! So… Coffee? Pleeeease??
I glance at the closed curtains. The idea of staying here alone makes my skin crawl.
Me: Meet you there in 20
Tossing my phone on the bed, I walk over to my dresser and grab my wristlet off the top, checking my reflection quickly in the mirror.
Dang it. My makeup iswaytoo overdone for coffee.
I eye my shower, contemplating if I have time.
Screw it. I can’t worry about it now.
Chapter Two
June
“Well, well. If it isn’t my favorite neighbor,” I hear the second I step out the front door of my building.
Smiling, I glance down at Mr. McAbee sitting in his usual spot. He’s got a tall glass of sweet tea sweating on the sidewalk beside him, and a folded newspaper in his lap that I know he’s probably already read twice. His freckled, dark caramel skin is weathered from decades spent out in the Florida sun.
“How are you doing today, Mr. McAbee?” I plant my hands on my hips, waiting to hear what he’s got to say.
He spreads his arms wide, palms to the sky. “Can’t complain, baby girl.” He gestures upward at the cloudless blue. “The sun is shining, and I woke up to see another day.”
Something about the simple gratitude in his voice makes my heart soar. I wish I could bottle this man’s energy and sell it.
“Where you off to?” he asks, picking up his tea.
I thumb over my shoulder toward the end of the building. “Sugar Shack. Grabbing a coffee with my friends.”
“You tell Miss Carolyn I said hello, and that she still owes me a slice of her coconut cream pie.” He winks.
I laugh, giving a mock salute. “Yes, sir.”
The Sugar Shack is less than a minute walk, and I push through the door with a little more bounce in my step, nearly plowing straight into a wall of leather and muscle.
“Whoa!” I stumble back a step, my eyes going wide and hands flying up when I see theKings of Anarchy MClogo.
The wall turns around and arches a blonde brow. That’s when I see the patch over his heart.
Prospect.
