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“Is that a crime?”
“No.” I step into him, fisting his shirt. “It’s very sweet.”
“Sweet?” He jerks back, looking mildly offended. “I’m not sweet.”
“You are sometimes.” I fit my body against his, letting my lips drift to his ear. “With me.”
“Only ever for you. I still have a rep to protect.” Amusement plays in his voice.
“I know I sound like I’m pushing, but have you thought about when you’ll talk to James yet?”
“I’m really going to need my balls back at some point.” He smirks.
“I just don’t want us to be blindsided by anything else. This thing between you and James, it needs figuring out.”
“And if I don’t like what I find?”
“Then we’ll deal with it. Together.”
“Okay. I’ll tell him we want to talk. I think Ellen said something about him working late tonight, but maybe we can catch him tomorrow.”
“Really, you’ll do it?”
“As I’m quickly learning, Princess, there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for you.”
Chapter Fourteen
Ace
“Is everything okay?” Gunner asks, glancing over at me for the third time in the last ten minutes. His brows are drawn together, and I know he isn’t going to take no for an answer this time.
I’ve been here about two hours, but I’ve hardly said a word. I’m too lost in my own head, thinking about what the hell I’m going to say to James when I get him alone.
“Yeah, sorry,” I mumble. “Family shit.”
Gunner nods, as if he understands. I have no idea how close he is with Ellen, but I can only assume he knows at least the basics of our story.
“You enjoying life in the Bay?”
“After living in the Heights? Oh yeah, it’s like a dream come fucking true,” I mutter, making him laugh. “This No Man’s Land is much more up my street.”
“It doesn’t get better than this. It’s the perfect hiding place.” Something passes through his eyes, but I’ve got enough of my own drama right now to dive into anyone else’s.
The last thing I want to do is sit down with that asshole, but I made a promise to Remi, and I fully intend to keep all my promises to her.
Gunner leaves me be while he continues to work on an engine. I’m glad he’s not a talker. It’s enough having Remi wanting to know my deepest secrets and thoughts.
The shift comes to an end and I help Gunner tidy and lock up before climbing on to my bike to head home.
“Ace,” Gunner says just before I turn the engine. “Family can be hard. But at the end of the day, they’ll be the ones who are there in your darkest hour. Trust that they’re doing the right thing, whatever it may be.”
My brows pull together. “Uh… sure.”
With his words still ringing in my ears, I head home.
Sadly, when I pull the pool house door open tonight, I don’t find anyone waiting for me. I already know that Remi is spending the night trying to put things right with her mom. Cole’s been at practice so he could be anywhere, and Conner… well, no one knows what the hell he does with his spare time.
I shower, washing the grease and dirt from my hands before heading up to the kitchen to find some food, and, if I’m really unlucky, James.
