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35
Lynx
I breathed the crisp winter air into my lungs and gave the jail the middle finger salute as I left the building.
“Don’t be too happy. You can’t leave the county,” Ire so helpfully reminded me.
“Don’t be a downer, man. I need to get my woman and kid and bring them home.” I froze on the sidewalk when I registered what I’d said.
Ire hiked his brow. “I’m as shocked as you are, brother.”
I pointed at his cage for us to keep moving. “No sense in denying it. Jaynee’s little girl is more my daughter than her prick, bio dad’s.”
“Agreed.”
Once in the passenger seat, something was off not only with Ire but his Camaro.
“Did you have a chick in here recently?” I sniffed around, searching for a pair of panties or maybe an earring on the floor.
“Knock it off.” He shoved me hard as he pulled out of the parking lot. Sometimes I forgot he was a fighter. “Ava went with me to Hero and Roja’s wedding.”
“Fuck, I wished I hadn’t missed it. How’s Ava doing?”
“Good. She’s getting out more, as long as I’m with her.”
“Really?” I grinned as I admired the fresh blanket of snow on the ground. I’d missed the first snow day, and so did my girls. Dammit, it pissed me off.
“It ain’t like that. I’m her friend, that’s it.”
“Hey, don’t lose all hope. Jaynee had friend-zoned me, too. Remember that?” It was like those days of us denying our feelings and fighting the pull to each other was a lifetime ago. How could I have been so stupid to waste the precious time we had together? Not anymore. I was a changed man.
“It’s not the same. Ava is scarred.” Ire looked almost pained. “She doesn’t want to be with a man ever again.”
“Like, she’d rather be with a woman?” I could see how a traumatizing event like sexual assault could change a person’s preference. Poor woman. I remembered how she’d flirted with dudes at work and giggled with the other servers over hot guys. Ava had been so vibrant and playful. She was still the cutest blonde and a sweetheart.
“No. She’s not into chicks… I don’t think. She’d just rather be alone for the rest of her life. Maybe adopt a kid. She’s always wanted to have a family.” His face turned red as he hit the steering wheel. “I ruined her life.”
“Man, don’t do that to yourself. You were knocked out cold. You’re not to blame.” It broke my heart to see my brother so torn up over Ava. I hurt for both of them. “The fucking Dirty Hunter destroyed Ava.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll never have her the way I want her.”
I didn’t question Ire further. My brother was getting worked up. I needed him to be levelheaded when we rescued my girls. I was curious, though. Once he calmed, I’d ask what his plan was for Ava. I couldn’t imagine it was easy for him to be around her.
He slowed his Camaro at the compound gate and scratched the top of his gray beanie hat. I couldn’t see his eyes through his sunglasses. He never was one to make much eye contact. His shades were like a wall he kept up.
Now that Ire was chill again, I asked, “What are you gonna do about Ava?”
“I’ll do whatever she lets me. Take her shopping, do her yard work, guard her house… I’ll do anything just to be around her.”
“You love her.”
“Yeah.”
“You know, in time, she may trust you. Don’t give up on her.”
He drove through the gate. I waved at Maddox. It was good to be home after weeks in the slammer.
“I’ll never give up, but you can’t force a person to do something they don’t want. I’m fine only being her friend.”
