“You hungry? Bones makes a mean omelet.” Jack said, folding the newspaper in half and shoving it underneath one of the worn cushions of the sofa.
“Not really.” I said, taking a sip of my coffee, I peered at him over the rim of the mug. “Did you hear from my father?”
“No.” He said standing up and crossing his arms against his chest. “Last I heard his lawyer was working on getting him out.”
“He was arrested?” I asked. It wouldn’t have been the first time my father was arrested and I’m certain that if he makes it through this ordeal it wouldn’t be the last either. Luckily, his lawyer is a shark and keeps him out of jail. Well, most of the time when I was thirteen he had to do eighteen months in prison, but good behavior had him out in a little over a year.
“All I know is that they cuffed him and made him spend the night in lock up my guess is that they are just busting balls looking for info. What are they going to charge him with? Shooting up his own night club?” Jack shook his head. “Just hang tight. He’ll be here as soon as he can.”
I ran my fingertip around the rim of the mug I was clutching in my hands lifting my head to look at him. “What about the rest of my family?”
“I don’t have all the details sweetness. I didn’t hear anything about them and if something was wrong, I’m sure I would’ve.” He said and slapped Bones on the back. “Come on.” He looked back at me. “I’m running out to get a pack of smokes.” He winked. “Some girl robbed mine last night. You need anything?”
I shook my head my lips curving slightly as I remembered the stash of Marlboros that were nestled in between my boobs. Jack “Bulldog” Parrish was all right in my book.
“I’m good thanks.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I thought so. I’m leaving the prospect. He’ll be right outside in case you guys need anything.” The prospect waved his hand as he held the door for Jack and Bones he was the least intimidating out of the three.
“Tell pretty boy we’ll be right back.” Bones said, chuckling before they walked out the door closing it behind him.
I looked around the cabin suddenly feeling as if I was the leading lady in a bad horror flick and any minute some asshole was going to break down the door wearing a mask, wielding an ax and I’d scream in terror. The door behind me opened causing me to jump slightly seriously I needed to calm down.
Mikey stood in front of me wearing his suit pants and shirt from last night untucked and half buttoned.
“You scared me…” I said, taking a deep breath.
“Sorry.” He said reaching out he tipped my chin up with his forefinger. “You still shook up?”
“You’re not?” I asked. He looked at me for a moment before he dropped his hand from under my chin using it to comb his fingers through his still damp hair.
“I don’t know what I am.” He admitted honestly.
I understood that while I had always known my father’s lifestyle was ugly, it had never actually touched me before. What happened last night was different than the usual shit we dealt with like visiting daddy in jail or having the feds outside your junior high school graduation. It was more of a nuisance than a physical threat, which in the end resulted in me never having been bothered by what my dad actually did.
Until last night.
“I’m never celebrating my birthday again.” I mumbled as I threw myself back against the cushions of the small sofa. “I bet your twenty-first birthday wasn’t as exciting as mine.” I glanced up at Mikey watching as he sat down on the coffee table in front of me. “Or as terrifying.”
“Can’t say that it was.” He said hunching forward his hands resting on his knees as he looked at me. “When we get home I’ll take you out for your birthday. We’ll replace last night’s debauchery and make good memories.”
I smiled slightly. “I’m just kidding…” I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t like making a big deal of my birthday anyway, but it just sucks that it happened on my actual birthday. I’ll always remember the date this all went down.”
He cocked his head to the side fighting the cocky grin that was creeping on his mouth.
“So you’ll always remember the date you were finally kissed properly.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe the whole gunfire extravaganza has its perks.”
“Jerk.” I said, nudging his shoulder back a little as he chuckled.
“You do remember, don’t you? Or do you need me to remind you?” He said as he stared at my lips.
Actually, I had forgotten he had kissed me, but his words brought back the image of us in the hallway. I guess he was right there was a distinct difference between the way Mikey had kissed me and any kiss I had ever had before. His kiss was more than just his lips meshing with mine. It was consuming and something I didn’t feel with just my mouth, I felt it throughout my body down to my toes even now just remembering I could feel it in those little electric currents that felt like fire running through my veins.