Page 27 of Hodge
“He’s being an ass and avoiding me. You know what? He’s the one who made me stay here, and now he’s fucking ignoring me! Fuck this. I’m leaving,” she snaps this time. I chuckle under my breath as she storms toward the door.
“You goin’ after her?” he asks.
“No.”
“What the fuck, Hodge? You drag that girl in here. You made her stay, and now you’re lettin’ her walk?”
“Looks that way, doesn’t it?” I ask, taking down the rest of my beer before grabbing another. My dad doesn’t know what to say, so he says nothing before walking away, only to have my sister take his place.
“You fucked her.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yeah, you did. You let her leave, Hodge.”
“I didn’t fuck her, Kiki. I told you I’d tell you when I fuck someone,” I remind her.
“Then why is she leaving? Aren’t you the one who made her stay?”
“Why is everyone on my ass today? Can’t anyone worry about somethin’ that doesn’t have to do with me and who the hell I’m fuckin’?” I roar at her. She snorts a laugh and shakes her head.
“Damn, she’s gotten under your skin, huh?”
“Just tryin’ to help her is all.”
“Sure. If that’s what you’re telling yourself, I’ll go with it. But don’t forget she has enemies out there, Hodge. Someone put her in that van to be shipped off. Keep that in mind.” Kiki always knows more about club business than she should. She’s nosey as fuck and doesn’t back down when she wants her way.
I shake my head as she stands and leaves me sitting with my beer. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I shouldn’t let her leave. But what’s the fucking point in making her stay if she won’t tell me anything helpful? Aggravation is hell, and that’s exactly what I’m feeling right now.
What if I let her go? What if I just let her leave and do her own thing? She could figure things out on her own. She’s an adult, for fuck’s sake.
I grab my bottle and stand from the stool, heading for the door. When I step outside, I see Kiki and Tianna talking to Kemah across the parking lot. I want to go over there, but I don’t. Instead, I bring the beer to my lips and watch as all three girls turn to look at me. Kemah’s eyes are full of anger and pain that I probably put there. It’s not really my fault but it is. I knew I should keep my distance from her, but I didn’t. Instead, I thought I could save the fucking day with that girl.
I keep drinking when I see Kemah’s head drop forward. Fuck! I toss my bottle to the side and stroll over as the other two walk past me, eyeing me like I’m the biggest piece of shit in the world. And I probably am.
“Listen, I’m sorry, okay? I’m not good at this shit, Kemah.”
“And you think I am? I’ve had my life ripped out from under me, Hodge.”
“What was your life?” I ask her. Now I see the sadness in her eyes. It wasn’t a good life. Not judging by the look in her eyes right now.
“Does it matter?”
“It does to me.”
“Why?”
“It just does, Kemah. Talk to me.” She shifts on her feet before reaching up and brushing her hair away from her face.
“It wasn’t a good life. It wasn’t actually horrible either. My parents didn’t want me. I’m not sure why they gave me to Jake.” I raise my hand to stop her there.
“What? Gave you to Jake?” She nods her head slowly before looking me in the eye.
“Yeah. Gave me to Jake. They have some sort of agreement, from what I understand. I don’t know what it is.”
“An agreement? That involves you?” She nods her head, but I can tell by the look in her eyes that she doesn’t know what that agreement is.
“That’s all I know,” she says softly.
