Page 89 of Lucky Shot
With a smile touching my lips, I sigh. “I’m not mad. I’m just… frustrated that this fucking guy is still walking around.”
“I’m confident my friend will find him. Tell me what you know, and I’ll relay the information.”
I spend the next few minutes repeating some things but keeping others to myself to protect Roux’s privacy. The pertinent information I shared. Hopefully it’s enough to help his ‘friend’ find this guy.
“No pictures,” Pretty repeats.
“That would make this far too easy, don’t you think?” I deadpan.
He laughs and I smile. I want to just wrap myself in that sound and live there. “So, one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“My brother has been struggling to be on his own. He has Gabe here, but I think that’s still too secluded for him. He might call while we’re in Colorado and I’m going to fly him out if he does. Different room, obviously. And it definitely doesn’t mean he’ll be glued to my side. I think he just needs me close sometimes.”
“You don’t have to explain that, Demi,” he says. “I understand. You’re a good big brother. The best. He thinks the world of you.”
I huff.
“No, I mean that. I promised I wouldn’t repeat anything, but he really does think you hang the stars.”
“For my brother, I’d put out the sun,” I say. “Now, all I want to do is keep him close so I can protect him. It’s going to fucking kill me to let him go to college in the fall.”
“Let him, huh?” Pretty teases. “I’d like to hear what Roux thinks of youletting himgo to college.”
I laugh. “I’m just worried about him. He’d been asking for help, but I didn’t hear it,” I say.
“I swear to you, Demi. My friendwillfind this guy. He’ll never hurt your brother again.”
While I don’t know who this friend is or why I should trust him, the fact that Pretty does sets me at ease. The world is filled with all kinds. It can’t be that uncommon for someone as sweet and kind as Pretty to know a… killer?
I shuddered. “What are you up to for the rest of the day?”
“I’d say packing, but I already did that,” Pretty says and I can hear the amusement in his voice. “Nothing really. Just trying to entertain myself. For the life of me, I cannot fathom what I usually do during the off season to entertain myself. This is shit.”
I laugh. “Want to play Second World with me, Pretty Boy?”
“I’ll do anything with you.” He pauses. “Fuck, that was cheesy. Forget that and think of something cool. That’s what I said instead.”
I laugh again. “You’re amazing just the way you are.”
“Now you’re being corny.”
“No, my sweet lace baby. I’m telling you the truth. Don’t you ever fucking change, Noah Kain. You’re perfect. My fucking dream. I want you just how you are. Understand?”
His voice is breathless when he answers. “Yes. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. Someone who wantsmefor me.”
TWENTY-SIX
NOAH
Marlon Emmons isour first line center. He’s good. Something he knows all too well. It’s made him a snob and keeps his nose turned down to his phone.
I’m irritated that it’s him I’m flying to Colorado with. He barely acknowledges me when I take a seat next to him on the plane. His eyes flicker to mine and I get the barest uptick of the corner of his mouth. However, when I see Credence Ayrton get on the plane, I’m already scouting where he’s sitting so I can trade seats with someone.
He grins at me, and I flag down the stewardess and tell her my proposition. I’m even willing to pay if it gets me next to someone with personality.
That comment makes Marlon lower his phone and glare at me.
