Page 30 of A Brother At My Back

“Still would have been nice to know,” I said getting back to the subject and shifting uncomfortably in my seat. Shelly’s practical view of things was making me feel like a total asshole.

“How could you not? You seriously thought she and I were just platonic buddies? I’d go for a dance and that was it?” Dragon asked.

Then I did feel like a total asshole, especially when I blurted out, “You?”

“Yeah, me! The fuck you think when you met her in just one of my shirts sleeping in my bed?”

“I didn’t think…”

“Ah, but you knew. You always knew,” Shelly said knowingly.

“How d’ you reckon?”

“Because you’re disappointed, but yer not pissed. You ain’t come storming in here downing a bottle. Something tipped you off and your back-brain probably caught on but the front, not so much.”

I thought back to the vacant look as she danced, a mirror for the vacant look in her eyes as whoever-he-was fucked her in the back of that shit-hole club she worked. I shook my head and sighed. I knew coming here was right, but I also knew I needed to head back to her place and apologize.

I scrubbed my face with my hands, and Dragon said to Shelly, “You said your piece, now kick rocks a minute.”

“Sure,” she said softly, her expression thoughtful as she looked at me; not unsympathetic. She got up carefully and shuffled away from us bouncing her kid and I stared after her.

“Living proof that there’s a life after that kind of life. She’s right, you know. If it weren’t for Reave or this club, she could have easily ended up like Tiff.”

“She shouldn’t have to do that,” I said.

“Do you really think she wants to?” he shot back.

I made a frustrated noise and leaned back, staring at the ceiling painted black. Dragon shook his head.

“You like her.” It wasn’t a question, so I didn’t answer, I just looked back his way. He nodded and asked, “She like you too?”

“She kissed me back the other day.”

He nodded slowly, “She’s never let me kiss her. I imagine she doesn’t let just anybody.”

“I wouldn’t say anything to her, I didn’t want to upset her more or say something unfortunate.”

“She locked in her place?”

“Yeah.”

“You headed back over there?”

I wanted to, but I didn’t know if it was best. Dragon sighed and said, “I know it ain’t going to make you feel better, but as far as someone in her situation goes, I know she’s responsible about it.”

“How so?”

“Condoms, always. Goes in for regular testing. Real selective about who she’ll fuck. She may sell herself for sex, but she at least has enough self-respect that she ain’t doin’ it cheaply.”

I grimaced, “Too right, you ain’t makin’ me feel better.”

“You want I should have someone else help her?”

“No,” I said quickly and he sat back.

“Well, I think that’s the only answer either you or me need. Now man the fuck up, and go work out your shit.”

“That an order, Boss?”

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