“I can help you paint the walls. You need color. White walls are so generic and boring.”
“I would like to add some color.” Painting the walls would be symbolic for her; it would mirror her life. She was leaving her beige life for one filled with color. She’d taken the first step by going out with Diablo; he certainly wasn’t beige.
“We can go to Shineman’s. They have the most awesome variety of colors in the county. This will be so much fun.”
“Is Muerto cool with me painting the walls?” Fallon glanced inside at Muerto and Diablo, who stood talking by the kitchen counter.
Raven shook her head. “Nope. But don’t worry about that. I never did. We can go shopping whenever you want. Call me.”
“I will.” She opened her phone and plugged in Raven’s number as she said it.She’s the third number I have in my directory for women friends.She had Sylvia’s, Annie—the girl she’d met the previous week—and now Raven’s.Awesome.
“You wanna look at another place? I have a two-bedroom a couple of miles from here. I thought I’d show you this one first because it has security doors, a pool, stackable washer and dryer, and a group of quiet, decent tenants. A bit older, but that can be a good thing.” Muerto hooked his arm around Raven’s waist.
“I love it. Do you?” Fallon looked at Diablo.
“Yeah. It’s cool. You think it’s big enough? Maybe you should check out the two-bedroom.”
She shook her head. “No. This is the one for me. I’ll take it.” She went over to Diablo and hugged him.
Muerto headed to the kitchen counter and took out papers from a folder. “I’ll have you look the lease over and sign it. Since you’re Diablo’s woman, I’ll forgo the security deposit and first and last months’ rent. You can move in today if you want.”
She reviewed the lease, noting the clauses about only one pet and no painting the walls without permission. She figured Raven would have her back on that one, so she signed it, a bolt of joy sparking up her spine when he gave her two sets of keys.This is really mine.The keys cut into her tightly clenched hand.
When Raven and Muerto left, she whooped loudly and walked around the apartment. “It’s all mine!” She fell into Diablo’s arms, kissing and hugging him.
He laughed. “It’s yours, sweet pea. Do you wanna go to Tula to get some of your stuff? I can get a truck if you want to bring some of your furniture with you.”
“I don’t really have any furniture. My dad bought everything I have. Anyway, I want to start over. I want to buy my own things and furnish my place the way I want to. I do have a lamp my mother bought me when I was a kid. I’d like to get that along with my clothes and books. I’m not sure if you should come. I mean, my dad may call the cops about what you did to him. I don’t want you to get into any trouble.”
“No fuckin’ way is your dad gonna call the badges. He’s in too deep with illegal fighting. The badges would haul his ass in, and the feds would get involved since there’s gambling. Anyway, there’s no damn way I’m letting you go up there to face all that shit with him alone.”
She stroked his cheek. “You’re so good to me. I would like you to be there. My dad’s still mad, but he’s been texting me and asking me to come home. I haven’t wanted to deal with it, so I only sent one text asking how he is. He said he’s better but he wants me home. I’m pretty sure he won’t be home now, so we should go. I really don’t want to bump into him.”
“We’ll take the SUV. Let’s go.”
“On the way back, we can stop at Furniture Mart. I want to pick out some things.” She giggled. It was like she was a kid in the candy store and could have anything she wanted. “Let’s go.” She pulled his arm impatiently, trying to drag him with her to the front door.
“Hold on. I wanna make sure all the windows are locked along with the sliding glass door.”
After determining everything was secure, they walked out of her new apartment. Settled into the SUV, Diablo turned out of the lot and picked up the old highway as they drove to Tula.
When they arrived at her house, Fallon turned to Diablo. “I think it’s best if you wait in the car.”
“No fuckin’ way.” He turned off the ignition and started to open the car door.
She grabbed his arm. “Hear me out. If my dad is there, it’ll be a big scene if you’re with me. I know how to handle him.”
“I haven’t seen any signs of that. I’m going in.”
“Okay, but give me twenty minutes alone. If I’m not out by then, you can come inside. Deal?”
He narrowed his eyes as he pulled at his beard. “Five minutes.”
“Come on… I can barely put anything in my duffel bag in five minutes. Fifteen.” She smiled sweetly and brushed his cheek with the back of her hand.
“Five fuckin’ minutes, and don’t give me that sexy smile.”
She leaned over and kissed the side of his mouth, licking it with the tip of her tongue while she brushed her hand across his crotch. “Ten minutes,” she breathed against his face.
