“Then who?” Johnnie demanded. “Or do you know?”
Kendall nodded. “It was Logan.”
Johnnie paled and his eyes widened.
Stunned silence met her announcement until Outlaw sighed and said, “Ain’t no fuckin’ way Ima ever call Jana fuckin’ aunt.”
April 4th
Jana: Did you get the blunt?
Kaia: Not yet.
Jana: Can it be tonight? I’m lonesome. Diesel is at the house with his brothers. Please? You’re my friend.
Kaia: Let me see whatI can do.
Although CJ invited Kaia down to the basement to bowl with him and his brothers, he declined. Diesel was attending. That fuckhead would make Kaia miserable and he wanted a clear head to finish filling out the applications to all the schools he’d like to attend. He even submitted one to UCLA as well as top design schools in Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland.
Meggie instructed him to assemble a portfolio of his work. Kaia never kept his drawings so organized. Once he moved into his own place, he’d thrown away most of his tablets in the interest of space. He had to tell her the truth. If any of his applications progressed to the next stage, he didn’t want her to expect something he couldn’t provide.
He didn’t want to hang out with Jana tonight. She’d probably cry and complain about Diesel. Kaia just wasn’t in the fucking mood to hear about that motherfucker. Maybe they could watch cartoons and minimize their conversation.
Putting his boots on, he grabbed the key to his room and his cell phone, then went in search of Bishop. The house was so fucking quiet. Usually, it was only this still in the early morning before the day began. Otherwise, theplace buzzed with activity. It was never boring. Day to day, Kaia didn’t know what to expect. He checked the den but didn’t find Bishop so he went to Bishop’s room and knocked. After three tries, Kaia headed to the media room on the second floor. Still nothing.
A depressing thought occurred to Kaia. Maybe Bishop was downstairs with the Caldwell boys. He wouldn’t run into problems, since Diesel liked the dude. Bishop was accepted in a way Kaia never would be.
Sighing, he turned and walked down the stairs again. He’d check the library and then head to the club. Potter might have a blunt to sell him.
The built-in shelves, filled with books of all types, continued to amaze Kaia. The library was big but decorated in shades of cream. A couch and coffee table sat in front of the fireplace. Three pairs of overstuffed chairs with little round tables were in various spots. There was also a wooden table with four matching chairs, one of which Bishop sat in.
He raised his gaze to Kaia, then immediately returned to reading.
“What?”
“I was wondering if you had a blunt to sell me.”
Bishop didn’t look up. “All out. Sorry.”
“Fine, dude,” Kaia said, starting to turn.
“I have a question for you, Riggs.”
Kaia gritted his teeth, but took the bait and closed the door, walking to the table where Bishop sat. “About Rebel, I suppose.”
“It’s best not to get involved in her business. Her father and brothers won’t take kindly to that.”
“Then what is it?”
“Are you taking Meggie’s offer for school?”
“Why?” Kaia asked suspiciously. Other than ‘hello’ and to issue orders, Bishop didn’t talk to him. “It isn’t my fault she made the offer, so don’t blame me—”
“I’m not.” Bishop snapped the book closed; it was a cookbook. “Do you know how you dreamed of football?”
“It was art first,” Kaia admitted.
“I always dreamed of being a famous chef. Even when I dropped out of school and became a petty criminal to bring in more money than fast food joints were paying, I clung to that.”
