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“Why do you keep pushing me away? I mean, at least give me a chance to explain why I didn’t keep in touch.”
“It really doesn’t matter, Dante. I was going through shit of my own, so it’s all good. You do you and I’ll do me.” Knew I should’ve just left. Why was he being so persistent?
“What kind of shit did you go through?” Concern marred his handsome face. He was very pretty to look at. I loved how he furrowed his brown. It hit me just right too. Thank goodness I charged my toy this morning. The more I studied him, he sort of reminded me of the Hollywood icon, James Dean. Swoon!
“Honestly, it’s none of your business. Too much time has passed and we’re not friends anymore.” I went around him toward Birdie. “I’m going home. Call me tomorrow.”
“Will do.” Birdie winked, then continued talking to her dad.
Chase and my brother arrived. I waved to them as I opened my car door.
“Ember!” Dante hollered as he trotted my way.
“What?”
“You can’t avoid me forever. And just so you know, I’m not giving up on you.”
I laughed at him. “Fine.” I shut my door and started my car, then left. In my sideview mirror, I could see him watching me.
Placing my hand on my stomach, I sent up a prayer. Please God, let your will be done. Whatever it is, I will be okay with it.
What exactly was I saying?
I wouldn’t be okay if I wasn’t pregnant. I desperately wanted a baby of my own before Dr. W gave me a hysterectomy.
What if Dante got me pregnant?
Hello? What? Have you lost your ever-loving mind?
Sure, we didn’t really know each other anymore. He’d grown up and so had I. But I couldn’t deny the attraction between us was stronger than ever, and he seemed determined to talk. And then that kiss last night…
Phew! I fanned myself, remembering the pleasure I’d had getting myself off with my rabbit vibrator. God, I’d slept so good after releasing years of pent-up tension. I guess that was why so many of the old ladies were always a fucking ray of sunshine day and night. Their husbands had taken care of their needs.
So, what was Birdie’s excuse? She didn’t have a man, just her handy-dandy vibrator and dildo. She’d gotten me started a few years back after I’d told her sex was painful with guys.
Would intercourse hurt with Dante?
Hmm, I needed to rethink my false dislike and anger toward the Army Ranger.
Friday night was his welcome home party. I hadn’t planned on attending it, but I might reconsider…
9
Dante
Our third round of beers had arrived, and Birdie passed them around the table. Country music streamed out of the speakers. A gentle rumble of voices filled the air. I’d never been in The Bullet during business hours before. I’d been underage and my mother would’ve ripped my ear off if Uncle Lynx let me in. It was crazy how everything in Bastion Township felt just as I remembered. Nothing had really changed, except for the people.
Raymond sat across from me with a scowl. He ended up joining us, which ticked me off. I didn’t want to bring up Ember in front of him. Even my cousin seemed different. Before I left, he’d been an angsty son of a bitch. Yeah, he had trauma from when he’d been held captive and lost his first love not long after. Now he didn’t seem so angsty, just angry as hell and directed at Birdie. I suspected he had developed feelings for her, so why weren’t they together if they both wanted to be?
“So, why did you return earlier than we expected?” Birdie asked. Thus far, we’d only been shooting the shit. Keeping conversations impersonal, but I’d been wondering when she’d ask this very question.
My attention went to the folks on the dance floor. There was no point in hiding the truth. Direct and to the point was how I rolled, much like my dad.
“I screwed around with an underage girl. My CO’s daughter,” I blurted the words without hesitation.
Birdie spewed her beer on Raymond’s lap.
He perked up in his chair and shot her a you-gotta-be-fucking-joking look.
