Page 79 of Kid
“Oh—did I hurt you?”
I giggled. “No. Could we do that again?”
“Anytime you want.”
I smiled and turned my attention out the window. “You switching from stunts to acting—you’re not doing that because of me, are you?”
“What makes you think that?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you think I’d worry about you.”
“No.” Kid replied. “When I started doing stunt work, it was only until I could get into the acting world. I didn’t intend on doing it for so long.”
“Wow—I didn’t know that.”
“I’m taking the rest of the year off to spend time with you.” Kid admitted. “I want to build this relationship, focus on The Bar, get to know Jeremy. If this family is going to work, it’s something I want to do.”
“I love you, so much.”
Kid laced his fingers with mine and lifted my hand to his lips. “I love you too. Now, stop worrying. If its one thing I learned from Mamba and Demon’s relationships, it’s this. If I want this love to work, we have to put in the work.”
“Agreed.”
“Then it’ll work out.” He promised.
“Malik called when you were in the shower.” I admitted.
“What did he say?”
“Mother plead guilty.” I told him.
A part of me wanted to go to her hearing, but I couldn’t get myself to do it. Maybe it was weak of me, but I didn’t think walking into that courtroom would have done myself or Jeremy any good. My nephew was finally making head-way in therapy and I’d promised him he didn’t have to speak with her again until he was ready.
And when I asked if he wanted to go, he declined.
“She’s getting five years.” I informed him. “Emmitt is going down with the ship.”
“Refused to plea?”
“Yeah.” My voice cracked. “Am I ever going to get over this, Kid?”
“Well, I don’t know,” he said, truthfully. “What I do know is that each day it’ll hurt a little less than the day before. You have a family now, Nella. Lean on us.”
I nodded and leaned over to kiss his cheek.
We drove until we were almost at Chelsea’s studio. Kid pulled into the parking lot. He climbed from the vehicle and walked around to help me out. Once, he closed the door, Kid rested his back against the car and pulled me into his chest.
“What are you doing?” I giggled as he leaned in to nuzzle my cheek with the stubble of his incoming facial hair.
“I’m stealing some time with you.” He admitted. “We both know once you and Chelsea starts talking business—then the gathering tonight—I’m going to have to go through this entire day without being able to kiss you.”
I melted.
“So, I wanted to steal some time now, like I said.” Kid tucked some of my hair behind my ear. “I wanted to look at you in the sunlight.”
“You’re a romantic, Ronan.”
“I am?” He asked. “I thought that was what women look for—the romantic.”
