Page 11 of Dread’s Beloved

She shakes her head. “Nothing. I just realized I’ve spent way too long wrapped up in Zane and making him happy. I never stopped to think about what I wanted.”

“And what’s that?”

“Honestly? I’ve got no idea.”

“Nothing wrong with that. Do one thing for me while you sort that out.”

“What’s that?”

“Make sure you have fun.”

“I’m trying.”

“Good.”

The song switches to some line dancing bullshit that Sukie squeals and grabs Kitty for. They shimmy and shake, doing all the moves right on cue while Dark and I watch. I don’t see Zane. If he’s smart, he’ll steer clear.

He don’t I’ll put my boot in his ass.

“What’s up with you and Sukie?”

“Nothing.”

“Didn’t look like nothing to me.”

“I’m not looking for an ol’ lady. She’s a good time is all.” He elbows me in the ribs. “Like you’re one to talk, man. How many bitches you been fucking lately?” he grins.

“We’re not talking about me. You think this shit with Kitty and Zane is done?”

“For her, yeah. Him, if he was smart, he’d sign the papers.”

“He stalling?”

“The asshole went back to the judge and said they’d slept together. Means the sixty-day separation clock started over. It's complete bullshit. Kitty says she went to pick up some of her mail he had, but nothing happened.”

“Maybe it did.”

“No way. You didn’t see her that first night. She was completely shattered and blindsided. But the thing about Kitty most don’t know is she can hold a mean grudge.”

I look at him like, yeah right, because she’s a fuckin’ sweetheart.

“I’m telling you. Don’t let her good girl persona fool you. She may not show it often, but my sister can nurse a snit for months.”

“Is he giving her a lot of trouble?”

“Nah. He knows he fucks with her, he’ll have me to answer to.”

I do another check around the bar, but he must have taken off.

“To be fair, I think she was more heartbroken that it was Blair than she was about him. Blair, Kitty, and Sukie were like the three amigos. You saw them always together.” He shakes his head as the girls rejoin us, sweaty and thirsty.

“You ready to call it a night, gorgeous?” Dark asks Sukie.

She glances at Kitty.

Kitty smiles at the two of them. “I’m a big girl. I can get myself home.”

Dark shoots me a look. “I’ve got her covered, man. I gotta hit the head, then I’ll meet you outside.”