Page 23 of Moonshine Lullabies

“Looks like the boys finally got things squared away,” Hex said, and I nodded.

“Reinforced the shit out of the frame?” I asked.

“Fuck yeah. Good luck kickin’ that shit in without hurtin’ yourself.”

“Should do the back door next,” I said. He looked over at me and nodded.

“That’s tomorrow’s project.”

I huffed a laugh.

“You laugh now, motherfucker, but you’re the one here so you’re the one doin’ it.”

I felt my face fall, and it was his turn to laugh.

“Your unemployed ass is comin’ to help, right?” I asked, grinning.

“Oh, yeah.” He nodded.

“Man, I’m fuckin’ starving,” I muttered, and he nodded.

“Me, too.”

We went inside the house to a round of cheers from the rest of the boys and a salute with fresh beers. I asked, “Where the fuck is mine?”

There was some laughter and Chainsaw handed me his that he’d just cracked, coming in from the kitchen.

“Smells fuckin’ good in here,” I said.

Axe lifted his chin and said, “Pot on the stove in the kitchen, brother.”

“Good deal.”

I wondered where Jessie-Lou was, but she had to be in her room. I dropped onto one end of the couch, stuffing my face with her killer-ass gumbo, watching the boys play through rounds of some first-person shooter.

“You stayin’ here tonight?” Cy asked.

“Yup, surfing on your couch the rest of the damn week or until your sister gets a vehicle, whichever comes first.”

He gave a nod and said, “K, ‘cause I’ll be fucked if she’s drivin’ my truck.”

I shook my head, and he laughed. “She wouldn’t drive it anyway. She hates that thing. It’s a temperamental beast just like you,” I told him.

He laughed and said, “You noticed that, huh?”

“Hard not to,” I said.

I finished my food, joking and cuttin’ up with the guys and finally got up and said, “Any of you assholes need to take a piss, do it outside. I’m takin’ a shower.”

Nobody said anything as I took up my bags of clothes I’d just bought and took my ass down the hall and into the bathroom.

I dumped my shit in front of the door and got the shower started. I leaned on the counter, looking into the mirror above the sin, and, dude… I knew I looked about as wrecked as I felt. I needed some fuckin’ sleep.

I was glad Tate had himself handled with getting onto the bus in the morning but I wondered what time Jessie-Lou had to get in to work, doing whatever she did. I think she said she worked at some kind of a butcher.

I didn’t know where or what time, so I would have to ask her after I got out of the shower. I got in under the hot shower spray and told my own damn self the truth. I didn’t really need to ask – I just wanted to see her and talk to her some more.

She was beautiful, for one. Strong featured and elegant all at once. Sharp in personality and soft with her curves. She was an intriguing dichotomy, and I was all for it and still kicking myself in the back of my mind for not seeing what was right in front of me much sooner.

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