Page 3 of DOG Part 2
“You’re welcome,” he answered instead, his words low and soft.
He continued to gaze at me, and when it became too much to handle I quickly turned and went to the bedding on the cot. “I’ll shake these off outside and get some of the dust off…make sure no mice are hanging out in it.”
“I’ll round up some firewood.”
We worked quietly, straightening up the living room, and by the time evening was falling had two quaint little sleeping areas set up in the room. The fire popped as it threw light against the walls, and pillows and blankets created a cozy little enclave in front of it.
Kane had pulled out a cast iron pot from the cardboard box. The stove in the kitchen wasn’t working, so he busily heated up some canned soup in the fireplace as I settled down onto my pile of blankets.
“This is kinda like camping,” I said.
He gave me a sly smile. “Does that mean you’re having fun?”
“You wish.”
“I’m sorry that I can’t make you a nicer meal.”
“I’ve never had chicken soup heated over a fire. It could be the best food ever for all I know.”
He laughed. “Let me ask you something.”
I swallowed hard, anticipation thrumming through me. He was sitting only a few inches away, and my body was distracted by the good memories of the night before. “Okay, but before you do, I’ve got a question.”
“What’s that?”
“Was all that smack talk at the house with your buddies?”
“What do you mean?”
“Listen to yourself. You even talk differently…since we left the gas station. You’re not speaking like you were raised on the streets anymore. Was that a front for your boys, Mr. MC President?”
He scowled in my general direction. “You know what you are?”
“What?”
“A shit disturber. You have a thing for stirring up trouble, don’t you?”
“No. I’m just stating my observations.”
“If you say so. Are you ready to answer my question?”
“What’s your question, Kane?”
“Why are you suddenly so happy all of a sudden?”
I should have expected it, but the question still took me by surprise. “Now who’s doing the shit disturbing?”
I looked away. The fire’s flames were licking around the edges of the pot and the room was actually beginning to get a little too warm.
“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to,” he said after I didn’t reply right away.
“No, it’s okay.” It was only fair for him to call me out on the way I flipped a switch and turned nice. “Look, it’s because I was too hard on you, I guess. Maybe I’m just trying to make up for painting all of you biker types with the same brush.”
“You like me now, huh?”
I quickly turned back to him, trying to figure out what he meant.
“Cat got your tongue?”
