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“They never got around to it. The man died. She’s in a nursing home with advanced Alzheimer’s.” I look away, square my shoulders. “Is that a problem? I’m twenty, and my adult record is clear.”
“Nah, that’s fine.” He rubs the back of his head. “Just… tough luck, man. I’m sorry.”
I stop myself from shrugging again. “Shit happens.”
He nods.
Silence stretches.
“There’s one last thing.” He’s eyeing me, his gaze thoughtful. “Merc tells me you’re in a gang. That true?”
Fucking Merc. But yeah, no lying, right? “I am.”
“That ain’t no good. Can’t have Gigi hanging out with someone who’ll put her in danger, and then break her heart anyway.”
“I won’t. I won’t break her heart.”
He sighs. “Jarett…”
Can he stop me from seeing her, meeting her? He’s her family. I’m not. Would she listen to him?
My heart is pounding, knocking about in my chest.
“Look, I made a promise to look after my brother who is in that gang. But I’m done with that. I’m leaving the gang.” I take a breath. “Sir,” I add.
Not sure why. That’s what I called Connor.
He chuckles. “Now I definitely feel like her father. Look, I know bad shit happens to people. And promises are important. But Gigi is like my daughter, and no matter how nice you are, how you brought Gigi over when my wife was in labor, how you took care of her mom—and I appreciate all that, all right?—you’re not dating Gigi while you’re in that gang.”
My fists clench. “I love her.”
Something flickers in his dark gaze. “Good. That’s a start.”
A start?
“I’ve known Gigi for years,” he says. “She’s a happy person, but she doesn’t trust people. For some reason… she trusts you. If you change your ways, you can date her then.” And without giving me time to absorb that, he starts back toward the office. “Let me show you the files and what you have to do. It will be a long day.”
A few days later, I’m still working in the small, stuffy office of the garage. Matt hasn’t said another word about the gang, or Gigi. Organizing the files, the receipts, the whole paperwork gives me a feeling of satisfaction. I like order. Makes me think I have control over my life.
Always a mistake.
But Matt seems pleased and nods every time he checks up on my work. At night, I stay with Gigi. I moved out of the apartment, put my few belongings in a suitcase and am standing now in Gigi’s room. I even have my toothbrush in the bathroom, and my shampoo.
Her mom hasn’t said a thing about it. Neither has Merc or anyone else.
I wonder what will happen when Matt finds out.
Life is good right now. Damn good, the quiet days and nights blurring into one another. Matt’s kids from his ex-wife—who died, or so I understood from something Gigi said the other day—come visit, and they’re real nice kids, the girl all serious at first like a little princess, the boy a whirlwind. We played with their Lego set. Gigi sat pressed to my side, and everything was awesome.
Another day Maggie’s boyfriend comes over to visit. Never seen Gigi’s mom blush that much. Got me worried for a sec. The guy’s older than her but seems like a gentleman, and held her hand all the time. I stuck around to make sure he ain’t no douchebag, but he seems okay. I’m so fucking happy for her.
My mom seems to be getting worse. I’ve asked Matt to leave early today to visit her, as I haven’t seen her this week.
I’ve also missed a few gang meetings. Seb called to yell at me for it, said I’d better get my ass there for the next one, and for the job that’s coming up. Been trying not to think too hard about that, to be honest. Because life’s sweet right now.
I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop, hoping against all hope it won’t.
And then it does.
