Page 139 of A Dirty Business
“Justin feels that it could be dangerous for us, him and me, to be in the middle of what is going on between our old bosses or—your—yeah. Mr.West and Justin’s family.”
My mouth went dry. “Really?”
Yeah. I should’ve known. The hero was bagged.
“Really.”
I frowned, but okay. Time to pull my head out of my mom’s stuff and into my best friend’s head. It made sense what she was doing. Being around me was sometimes dangerous too.
“I think that’s a good idea.”
She stared at me, blinking a few times. Her hand grabbed for her bagged hero, and she pulled it in front of her, like it was a shield. A hero shield. From me. “Really?”
I frowned. “Yeah. I mean, Justin’s not in with that side of the family. Am I right?”
“You’re right. Yes.” She jerked forward, her head moving up and down at a fast pace. “He’s not. And his brother, with being a detective. He just feels like he’s being pulled in all directions, and I get it. I do. I mean, I love you. You know I do, but I think he’s going to be my future. You know how that goes.”
A tear slipped free, falling down. A second one went too.
I didn’t think she realized they were there.
Reaching forward, I took the hand that wasn’t gripping the hero and held it in mine. I squeezed it once. “I get it, Kel. I do.”
More tears.
She was going to be sobbing soon.
She sniffled. “You do?”
“I do. I’ve got my own battles to handle right now. I don’t expect you to get pulled into the middle, and my god, you know I’d want you to be safe.”
The sobbing got worse. “I feel like the worst friend. You’ve been there for me through so much stuff, and now this. Now you got a fine man, andgirl.” She paused in her sobbing and held a hand out. “That man isfine. Holy shit, he’s fine. And you were at his side, but Justin. I—he said it’s dangerous, and you’re always telling me everything is dangerous, so I kinda figure maybe I should listen this time. Do you hate me? Please don’t hate me. I’m hating myself.”
I moved over, pulling my chair next to her.
People were whispering about us. I knew we had a few minutes before Sal came over to check on his Pigeon Lover Best Friend. She sent me his videos from YouTube every time he posted a new one. I had to admit the pigeons were cute when you put inspirational music in the background. I was cheering for one that I was pretty sure shit on my head two days ago.
“It’s going to be fine. Everything will be fine.”
I was firmly blocking out the mess from my mother because I had no idea how to fix that or what I even could do.
Be strong. Keep going. Kick ass if need be. That was my motto in life. Paint when you need to fall apart.
I gave Kelly a tight hug and held her. She let go of the hero—that told me she meant business—and grasped my arm.
“I love you. I’ll always love you. We’re sisters, and right now, there’s some dangerous business going on between families and our men. Be safe. You know I always want that for you.”
She was nodding, but I could feel some tears falling to my arm. “I know. I know. I have this feeling like I’m supposed to ask you something, check in with you about something, but I can’t think what it is. Are you okay?” She pulled away, turning to face me more directly.
Kelly was doing the right thing now. I wasn’t going to say anything about my mother to get in the way, so I shook my head. “Nope. Not a thing. One more hug, honey.”
“Oooh. You used the term of endearment. It’s been my dream for you to call me honey.”
I laughed, doing as I said. Hugging. But now I was the one choking back tears, so I stood, gave her a firm kiss on her forehead. I was finding I had a thing about foreheads and gently squeezed her shoulder. “Love you. When you get engaged, call me.”
“Agh! I’m going to fall apart all over again.”
“Not that.” Kelly wasn’t going to be able to leave first, despite the bagged hero. I knew my friend. Her gut was telling her to stay put, so I went first. One last touch on her shoulder, a smile from me, and I headed out.
