Page 2 of Little Bunny

“You need to get a window unit,” Percy grunted. “It’s cooler outside than in here.”

“Buy me one.” After Elijah dressed, he fussed with his hair until it was perfectly messy and matched his emotionally damaged mood.

Turning, he noticed Percy lying there staring at the ceiling. Unfortunately, Elijah knew what that look meant. Damn.

“Did he stop by?” he asked, his voice somber while praying it wasn’t bad.

Percy simply cut his eyes toward him, which told Elijah everything. “It’s one of the reasons I’m here.”

Crossing his small bedroom, Elijah sat next to him, the bed creaking under his slight weight. He rested his hand on Percy’s knee. “How bad, honey?”

“Santiago showed up before things got out of hand.” Percy sat up, and Elijah slid his arm around his friend’s shoulder, trying his best to give him comfort. “My dad took off shortly after. Then Santiago asked me to stop by Sin’s.”

Just because Percy’s neighbor had saved the day didn’t mean Elijah wanted to visit a tavern with a less-than-stellar reputation. He’d seen the men who hung out there and no thanks.

It would be like a gazelle voluntarily walking into a den of wolves. Elijah didn’t want his skinny butt to become prey.

“Why don’t we hang out at Ripples instead?” As hot as it was, an ice cream would hit the spot and would be a hell of a lot safer.

A slow smile formed on Percy’s cute face. Those dimples would make even the hardest of hearts cave. “Live a little, Elijah. You’re single now. Have some fun.”

That was not his definition of fun. While Santiago was a decent guy, Elijah wasn’t sure the rough-looking men who frequented Sin’s would appreciate a couple of twinks strolling into their establishment.

And Elijah highly doubted they would even know how to make a Cosmo. Now that he was off the couch, he was dying for one. The only glasses Sin’s probably served drinks in were mugs and bottles. A martini glass? Unheard of in a place like that.

This night was going to suck balls and not in a pleasurable way.

But Elijah knew he was going because he was a pushover where Percy was concerned. Especially knowing the guy’s dad had stopped by the house. His mom had divorced the loser a year ago for continually cheating on her, but Jacob still thought he could push his family around.

That was one of many reasons Percy still lived at home.

To protect his mom from the tyrannical asshole. Calling the cops was useless. Either they took an eternity to show up or Jacob took off right before they arrived.

Thank god Santiago had moved next door about a month ago. One night, when Jacob had stopped by, pissy drunk and loud enough to wake the dead, Santiago had knocked on the door to see what was going on.

A rarity in their neighborhood. People minded their own business. Noise, what noise? But not Santiago. Elijah had been there that night. Jacob had been raring for a fight and was yelling at Percy’s mom while Percy and Elijah stood between the two.

No lie. Elijah had been scared out of his mind. Jacob was a big guy but hell if Elijah was going to let him put his hands on Macey. She was the sweetest woman and didn’t deserve Jacob’s bullshit.

Santiago had stormed through the front door, shocking them all and hauled Jacob out of the house like a beefed-up bouncer at club, complete with tossing Jacob onto the front lawn.

It had been epic and fantastic. Elijah had to stop himself from whooping and high-fiving everyone.

Too bad that hadn’t stopped Percy’s father from returning, but Jacob had enough brain cells left to get back in his car whenever Santiago landed on the porch. The guy was intimidating with a capital T for terrifying. Only someone with brain damage and a death wish would try to get past Santiago.

So, to get Percy’s mind off his father’s visit, twenty minutes later, they stood in front of a brick building, the black-and-white Sin & Steel sign in script above them. They stared at the row of motorcycles parked diagonally at the curb in front of Sin’s, the late afternoon sun gleaming off chrome, casting sharp reflections across the pavement.

This was such a bad idea. The worst.

Leather-clad riders lingered nearby, cigarettes dangling from fingers, the occasional burst of laughter cutting through the steady hum of conversation.

Music bled from inside, a bass-heavy rhythm vibrating through the closed doors. The scent of beer and fried food hung thick in the air, mixing with the faint burn of gasoline and the rich musk of worn leather.

Percy stood beside Elijah, hands fidgeting with his skinny jeans, shifting his weight like he was already debating how much trouble this night would bring.

Please don’t let this night bring chaos. Or my death.

“I’m not so sure about this.” Elijah glanced at the men then back at the building, wondering if Percy could catch him if he took off running. No sooner had the thought settled than his phone buzzed. Digging it out of his back pocket, Elijah glanced at the screen and wished he hadn’t.

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