My heart rate increased because the seriousness of his tone made me nervous.
“I’m listening.”
Kane started to walk, so I followed suit. Our hands were still conjoined, and he tightened his grip a little. It didn’t hurt, but I guessed he did it so I wouldn’t try to run away, and that made me even more nervous.
“I’ve been feeling guilty since Slim was killed.”
I stopped and looked at him. There was a lump in my throat because if he felt guilty, then he must have known something.
Oh God. Did he bring me here to kill me?
I had to push the lump down to speak. I didn’t want him to think I was scared, but I was. “Why?”
“Because I had gotten a call from him a few days prior. He told me he had to tell me something, and we were supposed to meet up. I never thought it was something that severe, so I didn’t get a chance to see him. I often think that if I found the time, the outcome may have been different.”
My shoulders relaxed when he was finished. I for sure thought it was going to be something much more detrimental.
I reached up and forced him to look at me.
“Hey. There is no way you could have known that. And even if you did, whoever did this probably would have done it regardless. You can’t carry that guilt with you. The person who did it is the only person responsible. Okay?”
He nodded and pulled me into his arms.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
“I thought you were going to throw me in the ocean or something,” I joked to lighten the mood.
Kane barked out a laugh, causing people to look in our direction.
“Hell no. The only ocean I’m trying to be in is the one between your legs. You think I’m going to kill you and take away that good pussy? Tuh. You tripping.” He shook his head and looked at me like I had really lost my mind. He kissed the side of my mouth, then my lips, before we started walking again.
I was in a fit of giggles because of the way he kept looking at me. I was just glad the mood had been lightened.
We spent a few hours at the boardwalk, playing games, eating good, and talking. It was a simple date, but it had been one of the best dates I’d been on.
I knew sooner or later, shit was going to get bad, but I was glad we found time for each other in the midst of the impending chaos.
“Kane, can I talk to you for a second?”
I swung my leg over my bike and faced Drizzle.
“What’s up?”
She looked down at the ground and hugged herself. I wasn’t sure why she hesitated to say what she had to say. She was the one who stopped me as soon as I parked my bike.
I had come to the clubhouse to meet up with my brothers and check in with Isis about something. Munch and I had plans later in the day, and Drizzle held me up by being scary.
“Um, I was just wondering why you kicked me out of the clubhouse, and you haven’t been hitting me up.”
I looked at the side of her face since she acted like she didn’t want to face me.
“Are you serious right now? You, me, and everyone else know why. You were on some bullshit with Munch, and I ain’t like that shit.”
“Okay, but you ain’t never kicked me to the side over a chick before. What makes her different?”
“Shit, a lot. But I don’t have to explain shit I do to you. Now, if you think you can hang out around here without bothering me or Munch, have at it. You can even work the days Munch doesn’t. Let me make myself clear, though.” I moved closer to her. “If you think about fucking with Munch again, a broken nose will be the least of your problems.” I stepped around her and went inside. There was nothing else for us to talk about. I never explained myself to a woman, and I wouldn’t, unless it was Munch. Munch was the only woman I wanted something real with, so if she had questions, I would answer them.
Talking to Drizzle even for a minute was disrespectful to Munch, but that would be the last time that happened. Hopefully, I made myself clear.
