Page 103 of Till The Sun Dies (Checkmate 2)

“She’s so little; way smaller than Charlie ever was.”

“But bigger than squeak.”

“Laine!” I jump and almost slam my head under Ang’s jaw when Jess screeches inside the house. She bounds out the front door with an armful of rollerblades and a jumbo can of Red Bull. “I found them! Kane said I had to choose between blades and board.”

I take a big step back from Ang and clear my throat as she runs toward us. “So you chose blades?”

“Yeah. My board’s at Britt’s place, and I’m not going over there. It’s too late. We’ve come too far.”

“We haven’t even left yet.” I catch the heavy rollerblades when she tosses them. “We have time.”

“Nope!” She tosses the can of energy drink into the back, then snatches the backpack from Ang’s shoulder. “Nice haircut, Ang. It’s sexy. Baby, can you open the trunk?”

Clumsily juggling the blades, I reach into the car and avoid looking anyone in the eye. “What are you doing?”

“We’re ready to go. Kane!” She tosses the bag in and turns to cup her mouth. “Bishop! Shake your tail feathers or we’ll leave without you.”

“Fuck you will, woman.” Kane and Eric step out onto the front porch and talk in quiet whispers. Something about security, money, passcodes and keeping an eye on things. Eric just listens, a big grin on his face, like everything Kane says humors him.

In my time here, Eric has visited a handful of times, but it’s always fast, and never once has he been alone in a room with me.

He’s been perfectly gentle; kind hellos, kinder goodbyes, polite inquisitions into my days. He’s asked about Wanda, but that’s as deep as our conversations have ever gone, and when ninety percent of our encounters ended with me walking away without a single word, he never took offense.

He’s leaving me to myself, and he’s not taking anything personally.

He’s kinda cool, in a big-brother-that-carries-guns kind of way.

Just like Alex, I guess.

“Alright, Bish.” He slaps Kane on the shoulder and moves him forward. “Have fun. Check in. I wanna know where you’re at. Take pictures; I wanna see.”

“I will. Take care of business here, and when we’re back, we have shit to do.”

“Well, you’re practically a married man now.” He flashes a playful grin. “Gotta bring home the bacon, or she’ll hook up with a long-haired band geek.”

Ang scowls beside me, but Kane simply snorts. “Nah. Not my girl.” He skips down the steps with pockets full of hell knows what. “No way will my Jessie step out on me.”

“I won’t leave you.” Jess meets him halfway across the lawn and squeals when he scoops her up into the air. “I’m kinda attached.”

“Good.” He drops an indecent kiss on her lips and blindly walks forward.

Jess and I wear similar cutoff shorts today. Frayed edges. Flip flops. She has a boob tube to my tank top, and her hair hangs loose, compared to my ponytail.

“Let’s go, Blondie. We have road to eat up and a backseat to christen.”

“Hey!” I point at the couple. “No! Don’t mess up my car, or I’ll leave you both at the dirtiest truck stop I can find.”

“Did you book somewhere for tonight?” Kane lifts Jess into the backseat on the opposite side to where I stand. “Or are we winging it?”

“We’re winging it.” I turn to get in the car and almost pee my pants when I slam into Ang’s broad chest. “Shit! Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He holds my biceps and refuses to let go until my feet are planted solidly on the ground. “You’re kinda psyched, huh?”

“I really am.” I frown when I realize this is it, this is the do or die moment I’ve been agonizing over since I invited him.

Stick to my invitation?

Take it back and hope he isn’t offended?

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