Page 40 of Dread’s Beloved

Dread

“I like Joe,” Kitty tells me.

“He’s a tough old fucker. Looked out for me after my dad passed.” What I don’t share is that he’d come to see me when I was in rehab. Made sure I stuck with it. “He’s the only family I got besides the club.”

“I’m glad you have him.”

“Yeah.” I move away from the living room window and shut off the television. Joe went to bed an hour ago. Told Kitty and me to make ourselves at home and offered the pullout in the den to us since it’s what would be the second bedroom.

I do a check, making sure all the windows and doors are secure while Kitty gets ready for bed in the bathroom. I’ve got the pullout set up and am about to put a sheet on when she comes out wearing my tee, looking too damn good in it.

“I’ll do this. You go wash up.”

I leave her to it and grab a quick shower. When I’m finished, Kitty is sitting in the middle of the bed listening to one of Joe’s records. Otis Redding’s That’s How Strong My Love Is filters through the crackling speaker. She’s braiding her damp hair and sipping from a can of Pepsi.

She smiles at me. “Is the music okay?”

“Yeah.” I take her drink and place it on an end table, then pull her up off the bed. I pull her in close. “I owe you an apology,” I tell her as we sway to the music

“For what?”

“Treated you shit in West Virginia.”

“I was no angel.”

“You were making a point.”

“Doesn’t make it right.”

“That night at Tonky’s. I wasn’t pretending. I think you get I like you a fuckuvalot, but you scare the shit out of me.”

“Why?”

“Because you make me think and feel things I swore off. And you’re young and going through some shit. I don’t need to add to it.”

“You’re the only thing keeping me sane. And I’m twenty-six. Nearly twenty-seven, which is practically thirty. We’re both adults and life is short, honey.”

“Yeah it is.” I bring my mouth down on hers. “I’m done pretending I don’t care, Kitty.”

“Good.”

The record cuts off, then starts back again. It must be a single because it’s the same song again, but I don’t mind it.

“My old man would have loved you.”

“You think so?”

“Might have given me a run for my money.”

“I think he might have been too old for me.”

“Thought you were into older men,” I tease.

“Only one.”

Fuck me. Now really isn’t the right time for this, but tonight could be all we have, and I’m grabbing onto it. I lace my fingers in hers and pull her down onto the bed with me. I take my time kissing her. Her tee comes up over her hip, revealing she’s not wearing any panties underneath.

“Was you planning on seducing me?”