Page 103 of Lake
“Don’t be a little shit,” he jokingly barked like he knew what was going on in my head. “You like her?”
“Well, yeah.”
“You miss her?”
“Yeah,” I answered a little softer this time.
“Then what the fuck is the problem?”
“For starters, she’s down in Florida and I’m here.”
“You told me she doesn’t have anyone down there. And she doesn’t even have a job or that business of hers either, so don’t use that as an excuse.”
“I can’t just demand that she move up here because I maybe, sort of want to be with her,” I said looking at him pointedly.
“No ‘maybe, sort of’ about it. And all I hear is you throwing up roadblocks.”
“Okay, fine. But what about the club stuff. Sometimes things can get a little crazy.” I did my best not to reveal too much and I was pretty sure he already figured out that there was a dangerous side to things.
“And?”
“And… I can’taskher to move here and put her in the middle of that.”
“Shouldn’t that be her choice to make?” he asked and one of his bushy eyebrows went up.
“No,” I said with a shake of my head. “No, I couldn’t do that to her. I’ve seen what can happen…” I didn’t need to finish for him to understand.
“Make it simple, Lake.”
“How do I do that?” I asked, leaning forward ready to have the answer.
“Go to her, be completely honest with her on how you feel, and bring her back with you.”
“What about the other part?”
“Easy. Keep her safe.”
“Keep her safe?” I repeated slowly as I blinked at him. “Really, that’s your solution?”
“Yeah. But from the sounds of it and that shiner you were sporting, I don’t think it will be that hard.”
I barked out a laugh. That was true, Bridget was tough and I had no doubt that she wouldn’t be able to take care of herself.
But still… I hated to even think that there was the possibility that she would have to.
“Okay,” I said giving in. “You’re right.”
“I know I am, son. I’m old as dirt, I know a few things.”
He got up and walked out of the room, only to come back carrying two wrapped packages.
“What is this?” I asked as he set one of them in front of me.
“A gift.” I could almost hear the unsaid ‘dumbass’ at the end of it. “I got it yesterday. It’s from Bridget. She sent your’s here because she wanted us to open them together. Guess she didn’t trust you.” He let out a laugh like that was the most amusing thing he’d ever said.
“Christmas is still two weeks away.”
“Yeah, well, we’re opening these now.”
