Ruby came back out with two steaming mugs of coffee. She gave Fallon hers without even a glance and made eye contact with Diablo as she put his down. “How’ve you been? It seems like I don’t see you much.”
Diablo bit off a piece of bacon and munched on it. “I’ve been hanging out with my woman.” His hand went over Fallon’s.
Ruby pursed her lips. “You need to party a little so you can unwind. We’re all missing you.”
This bitch has a lot of fucking nerve. I bet she’s waiting for me to say something. She’s purposely trying to get under my skin.Not wanting to play into Ruby’s hands, she didn’t say anything. Instead, she leaned into him and ran her fingers over his head. From the corner of her eye, she caught Ruby’s face darkening.
“My woman’s taking care of me fine.” Diablo’s words had a sound of finality to them, and Ruby walked away.
“I don’t think she likes me. Actually, I don’t think any of the women like me.”
“Do you give a shit about it?” Puzzlement crossed his face.
“Not really. I’m used to bitchy women not liking me. I just don’t know how I feel about all of them hanging around wishing you’d screw them.” She pushed her barely touched plate away.
“It’s the way they are. It’s the way our world is. If a brother wants one of them, they go. If he doesn’t, then they move on to the next. It’s pretty simple. Nothing to be worried about.”
“Okay. I’m just going to come out and ask. Are you the type of guy who thinks it’s okay to screw a woman just for sex but still love and stay with a girlfriend or wife?”
Diablo pushed his empty plate away and cocked his head, his gaze locked on hers. “You’re the only woman I’ve been serious about, and I’m not gonna stick my cock in any other pussy but yours.”
Her cheeks warmed as she looked quickly around the room. A few men sniggered, and she wished Diablo didn’t have such a loud voice. In a hushed voice, she said, “But do you think it’s okay for a man to have fun on the side when he’s in a serious relationship?”
“I think I just answered you. I don’t roll that way. If a guy does, it’s his fuckin’ business. I’m not the goddamn moral badge.” He took a big gulp of coffee and grabbed his phone when it vibrated on the table. “Muerto’s asking when we’re gonna go look at his places. You ready now or do you wanna keep talking about whether I’m gonna fuck a club girl?”
“I’m ready, and I was just wondering because I’d think it’d be hard for a man to resist a woman if she keeps throwing her boobs and twat in his face.”
He stood up. “For some men it is. For me it’s not. And I trust you don’t think it’s cool to go behind your man’s back and fuck another one.”
“Of course not. I’m totally not that way.” After grabbing her purse off the chair, she followed him out.
“Good. Then we’re on the same page.” He helped her on his bike and they flew out of the parking lot.
Muerto was waiting for them at a three-story stucco building that had a red-tiled roof, double glass doors, a lobby decorated in Native and southwestern designs, and two sets of elevators. A pretty woman with long black silky hair stood next to him in a pair of skinny jeans that looked like she’d painted them on.
“Hey, dude.” Muerto bumped fists with Diablo. “Fallon.” Muerto tipped his head.
“Hi.” She glanced at the woman who had her face buried in her phone.
The woman looked up and her lips pulled up. “I’m Raven. I’m Muerto’s old lady.” She laughed. “I’ve been wanting to meet you.”
“I’m Fallon.” She shoved her hands in her jean pockets.
Her gray eyes slid up and down. “So, your Diablo’s woman. We gotta grab lunch sometime. I’ll ask Breanna to join us. Have you met Breanna?” Fallon shook her head. “You’re going to love her. She’s so sweet and caring. Anyway, we’ve been wanting to meet you and get to know you. Give me your number and we can set up a day for lunch.”
“Okay.” She liked Raven. She seemed to be the antithesis of her: extroverted, confident, and strong. Fallon admired those qualities, and was starting to see them in herself somewhat. Since she’d met Diablo, she noticed that she didn’t always look at life as a series of obstacles which had been her habit. She’d begun seeing it as a series of opportunities. And now that she’d confided in Diablo about the truth of her “accident,” the urge to face her childhood and overcome it took hold of her. She knew she had a long way to go, but for her, being happy and hopeful were new emotions. She embraced them, wanting to foster and grow them until they became her new habit and norm.
“You guys ready to see the unit?” Muerto’s voice took her away from her inner musings and she focused back on the situation.
“I’d love to see the unit.” She slipped her hand into Diablo’s and followed Muerto and Raven into the elevator.
The apartment was perfect. It was only one bedroom and one bath, but it looked huge to her. Considering she spent most of her time in her bedroom at home, having a small kitchen, family room, and dining area seemed gigantic. It was a corner unit, so the kitchen had a window and the living room had sliding doors that led out to a nice-sized balcony.No more roofs for me.She giggled to herself as she followed Raven out onto the balcony. Green grass and tall maple and evergreen trees dotted the landscape. Next to her unit was a wonderful weeping willow—her favorite tree.This place feels so right.Warmth radiated throughout her body and she tipped her head back, turning her face to the sky.
“It’s so beautiful. I can’t believe how perfect it is. Just so beautiful,” she kept repeating.
Raven laughed. “I guess that means you’re going to take the apartment?”
“Oh yeah.” She knew she had a silly grin on her face, but she couldn’t help it.My first apartment.The thought thrilled and liberated her.
