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In fact, it’s probably time for me to go.
I fish out my phone to look at the time and curse. I have missed calls from Angel, and even worse, it’s already afternoon.
Man. This can’t be. I’m fucking late for work.
Shit, just what I don’t need today.
Gigi is inside the room with her sister. I need to say goodbye, but when I try to go in, a nurse stops me and informs me the doctor is inside now, and she can’t allow any mor
e people to enter.
Last thing I want is to create a scene in front of Gigi’s family. They’re already giving me curious looks when they think I’m not paying attention. I can imagine what they’re thinking. A punk, with tattoos and a temper, hanging around our nice little family?
Fuck that.
Turning on my heel, I leave the maternity ward and the hospital. I need to salvage my job, and I need to talk to Angel before he gets so pissed at me he shoots me on sight.
And somehow I think I’d recover more easily from that than from losing Gigi, and isn’t that fucking crazy?
That I should be more afraid of love than death.
Go figure.
“Warned you, didn’t I?” Gus grabs the apron from my hands before I have a chance to tie it on. “That I’d look for any excuse to kick you out. Well, you’re an hour late. Fuck off and don’t come back.”
Dammit. “Look, it was a family emergency. I didn’t see the time.”
He glares at me. “What? I didn’t hear ya. I thought I heard you say you had a family emergency, and that means… what? Did you get the impression I give a fuck?”
I grab my jacket from the counter, my head pounding, a bitter taste in my mouth. “Forget it.”
“No, you don’t get it. I don’t forget.” He blocks my way, shoves at my chest, sending me back a step. “I won’t forget who you are, what you and your punk friends are doing to this fucking city.”
“Get your hands off me.”
“Or what? You’ll call your gang to help you beat up an old man?” He opens his arms wide, lifts his brows. “Go ahead, do it.”
He’s not old, the fucker. Just playing it up for the drama.
“Look. I’m in that gang to protect my brother. I made my mom a fucking promise. I’m not asking for your goddamn approval. That’s just reality, man.”
“Ooh, want me to feel sorry for you, that it? Want me to be fair? Why should I? You don’t deserve justice, son.”
“I’m not your fucking son.”
“Damn right you’re not. Get the hell out of here before I kick you out myself.”
Everyone shoves at me as I make my way to the door.
“Get off me.” I push them away, tighten my fists at my sides before I start throwing punches right and left. “Assholes.”
Don’t do it, Jarett. Don’t hurt them and get your ass in jail. Who will visit Mom if you do?
Fucking shit.
I’m outta here, but I don’t know where to go. The landlord is waiting for the rent, and there’s a gang meeting later on, but it’s too early to show up now and face Angel’s fury.
My head is killing me. I feel like days-old roadkill, numb and yet aching. Empty and yet about to burst. I guess it’s possible to feel detached from it all, and yet way too involved. It’s my life. Once more I think about walking away. Leaving this city, this promise behind.
