Page 16 of Night Moves

“He skated by with a ‘boys will be boys’, and I was just like my cheating father. Of course that sent my mother over the edge. Again. We haven’t really talked since, except for her to criticize.

“As soon as I graduated, I moved to Chicago. My dad and stepmom moved as well and are happy in Florida.

“I worked and took dance classes in Chicago, got a couple small parts in local theater musicals. Met a guy at the gym and we ended up moving in together. Within six months, he’d drained my savings and left me for someone else. He said I was too needy, and I should work on my body.

“Then I tried New York, LA, and now here. Same story, rinse and repeat. I have terrible luck and judgement with men and not much better with dance.

“I was told full figured women could work here. But that hasn’t happened and so I babysit to make ends meet until I can save up enough to move again.”

Eizlee toddles over to me, holding out two red peg blocks. “Holp, Low.”

I press them together. Leaving them with me, she goes to the bucket and gets two more and hands two blue to Diesel. “Holp, D.”

Making one more trip she hands a pink block to each of us to add on our individual sides. Then grabbing both of our hands that are holding the blocks, she tries to press them together to make one long log. “Holp, D. Holp, Low.”

Once all the blocks are together, she climbs in my lap and reaches for Diesel, holding both our hands. Asking for and taking what she wants.

If only life was that easy as an adult.

CHAPTER9

Diesel

Willow is putting a very resistant Eizlee Jane down for her afternoon nap. Been there, done that, I chuckle. It’s probably going to be a five-book struggle. Which reminds me to order some new books. I wish I could risk taking them to a bookstore.

Putting in my earbuds I cue up a current song and start practicing my moves. The beat of the music always drove me, and the physicality comes naturally. I like dancing. Now I only want to do it for my pleasure.

An image of Willow in a wispy gown pops in my head and I imagine the two of us swirling to a Salsa or Rumba, our bodies temping and teasing as we lightly brush each other, our legs intertwine. Then slowly taking the moves to bed where I can show her the attention and affection she deserves. So beautiful, so hot.

Shit. Just the thought is making me hard. Damn, it’s been a long time since I’ve wanted a woman like this. Actually wanted something more than release.

A lot of people judged me for what I did to support my sister. They can shove it. I took care of her when we couldn’t get help from anyone else like social services or the church.

The holier than thou minister was banging his secretary while his wife sat at home and he preached celibacy from the pulpit. The clerk at social services said we didn’t qualify but she had a fake account she was funneling money to for herself. I may not have skills like I-Tee, but they weren’t that clever either. I busted them both before I left town.

I wish I’d have been there for Willow when she needed someone.

My phone beeps and I see a text from I-Tee.

I-Tee: There’s more going on with your girl than you think. The apartment she was living in belongs to an old guy who’s in the hospital. She’s been squatting. Diego lifted a couple prints. We discreetly ran them. There’s a warrant for her in connection to a murder. Her real name is Etta Willow Burke. Raven wants us to hold tight and just watch her. Something about the warrant: how it was written, what it doesn’t say, is bothering her. Silo will be there soon to watch her and Eizlee. We’ll keep checking. Watch your six.

Me: We know there are cops on the take, they could be setting her up.

I-Tee: Roger that.

Twenty minutes later Willow comes out of the bedroom. “Tough one?”

“She did not want to sleep. Four books and finally zonked out in the middle of the fifth. She—she keeps asking for Mama?—”

Tears are streaming down her face. I pull her into my arms and against my chest. “I know. It breaks my heart too. I’ll reach out to my friend who’s a doctor to see how to handle this, or at least for direction.”

Stepping out of my arms she swipes at her cheeks. “You need to leave. You need to take her and go back to your home where she’ll be safe. You shouldn’t get involved. You’re all she has.”

“She has you.”

“As much as I lo—care about here, I don’t get to keep her. She isn’t mine. And she deserves someone better than me. I couldn’t even help her mom.”

“You warned Vicky. That’s all any of us can do.”

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