Page 10 of Coming In Hot
“That’s bullshit,” McCormick cries. “Those recipes are from my brand new cookbook, 1001 Ways to Cook a Hotdog. There’s some good shit in there. Right?” he asks Stiles, who’s sitting beside him.
Stiles shrugs. “I’ve eaten it and I’m still kickin’.”
A ringing endorsement, if I’ve ever heard one.
The guys laugh harder until Riggs quiets them. “All right, everyone, shush. McCormick, thank you for your contribution. Maybe save it for home next time.”
McCormick grumbles, crossing his arms over his chest. “Ungrateful bunch of Bitches. I brought that food for you guys, and you pawned it off on the people next door. Last time I cooked anything for you.”
“Promise?” West snarks.
The entire group dissolves into laughter again before Riggs brings the meeting to a close.
“Hey, Pharo,” Rhett calls, “you coming out to lunch with us?”
“Nah, I’m busy. But thanks for asking.”
I’m alwaysbusy, even when I’m not. I would love to take him up on his offer, just once, and go enjoy lunch with my friends, but it inevitably leads to questions about where I am and what I do when I’m not here. Also, it aggravates Jax to no end. A plus, but also counterproductive to my motives. I joined this group to keep an eye on him, to help him make peace with the past. I’m not trying to make his life more difficult.
Jax stacks his chair in the corner, and as he passes by me, he reaches out and grabs my side, in the exact spot he stitched last night in my bathroom. My gut twists with a stabbing sensation. The pain makes bile rise in the back of my throat. He digs his fingertips into the wound, and a wicked smile teases his lips.
“Maybe next time,” he patronizes, knowing full well I’ll always say no.
* * *
God dammit.
I glimpse Jax’s Indian Scout four car lengths behind me. His helmet disguises his face, but I could make out his bike with a blindfold on.
He bailed on lunch so he could follow me. Of all the damn days, he had to choose this one.
I speed up, hoping to lose him in traffic, and take the exit off I-40 toward Asheville. The sprawling single-story building comes into view ahead, and I pull into the parking lot.
No sign of Jax, but he’ll be back. He’s like a nasty rash–persistent, irritating, and always coming back when you least expect it. He's not the type to stay away for long, and no matter what I tell myself, I can’t help but anticipate his return. It’s only a matter of time before he shows his face again. When he does, it’ll be the same routine—push, pull, a game of cat and mouse that’s never quite over.
The woman at the reception desk greets me with a smile. “Good afternoon, Mr. Kendrix.”
“Hey, Allison.” I sign my name in the guest log. “Listen, if a man in a black leather jacket and dark hair comes in asking for me, please let him know that if he has any questions, he can ask me directly.”
“Is he on the approved visitors list?”
“No. Mine is the only name on that list.”
“Rest assured, Mr. Kendrix. I’ll do exactly as you ask.”
“Thanks, Allison.” She's a sweet girl, always ready with a smile when she sees me. “Uh, I like your earrings.” It’s a lame compliment, but how the hell else am I supposed to be nice without coming across as a flirt?
“Thanks,” she gushes, blushing prettily.
Jeez. Time to go.
I find her in the dayroom, her wheelchair parked in front of the TV, the soft hum of daytime shows filling the space. “Hey, Mami,” I greet her, my voice a little softer than usual.
She turns her head, and when her eyes—eyes the same golden hue as mine—rest on my face, her expression shifts immediately. Her lips spread into a smile, wide and radiant.
“Ramesses,” she beams. Her voice filled with that warm affection only a mother can give. “Son of the sun.”
I can’t help the small smile that tugs at the corner of my mouth as she says it. It’s always the same, that nickname. “Son of the sun.” Her belief in it is as unwavering as her love for me. She’s always told me that my coloring—my golden skin, the same shade as my hair and my eyes—was a sign of divine favor, a blessing from the gods, a mark of royalty passed down from the ancient pharaohs. Hence my name.
