“It’s crazy true,” Kurt replied. “My parents think we’re moving too fast, and they’re not wrong. She moved in three months after we met, then we just got engaged last week. Maybe you can put in a good word with the fam.”
Rebel didnotwant to get in the middle.
Kayleen returned to the table, her face an ashen white.
“You okay?” Kurt asked.
Tears filled her eyes. “One of my best friends from school was just killed.”
“What happened?” Kurt asked.
“I don’t know.” Kayleen guzzled down the water. “One of the other moms called her. Everyone’s in shock.”
“Did you go to school around here?” Rebel asked.
“No, I didn’t.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Sorry, I think I’m gonna take off.” She rose. “Sorry to leave.”
“I’ll follow you home.” Kurt stood, pulled out his wallet.
“I got this,” Rebel said.
After Kurt and Kayleen hurried out, Rebel sipped his Manhattan. As he sat there, Brit’s motto resurfaced.
Life’s short, shit happens, people are mostly crazy.
Over the past two months, he’d thought about the beautiful brunette with the wild streak plenty of times. He’d never had that much fun at his club, and he credited it to Britain.
Not long after meeting her, he texted her about having dinner with him in Denver. Since he was spending January in Texas— to put the squeeze on the drug dealers—he’d fly out to see her during his down time.
To his disappointment, she didn’t respond.
Rebel had learned that very little went according to plan.
Unfortunately, he’d learned that the hard way.
5
REBEL’S BAD NEWS
Britain
At eight in the morning, Brit was pushing hard as she and Addison ran the last mile full tilt. They were exercising on the paved path next to Addison’s townhome that ran parallel to the Potomac River. Despite the frosty temps, Brit was sweating pretty good.
“Whew,” Brit said after they slowed. “That was fun. Challenging, but fun.”
“You’ve gotten so fast,” Addison said, breathing hard. “I could barely keep up with you.”
“Nah, you’re a beast, sis.”
They walked down their heart rates as they made their way toward the activity center. Once there, they spent twenty minutes lifting.
On the walk back, Brit pulled the hoodie over her head. “I need a nap.”
Addison laughed. “I didn’t think you napped.”
“I don’t.”
“Well, you don’t have time for a nap, even if you did.”
