“Mmmhmm,” Heaven hums, tilting his head back to enjoy the sun. “You know, we only give you shit about this because you aren’t forthcoming. You can trust us. We want you to be happy.”
“I’ll talk about it when I want to. It’s as simple as that.” My phone vibrates in my hand, and I grin when I see there are three messages from Finley waiting for me.
“Man, it’s been too fucking long since you’ve smiled. Good for you.” Heaven sits up and sways on one foot to get his balance, and then he hobbles over to the door again. “I’ll leave you alone.”
I feel bad now. I know Heaven is the kind of guy that loves to be around people, and right now, everyone gets to move around and do what they want while he has to watch from the sidelines. Internally I groan, “No, it’s fine. No big deal. Stay out here. We can hang out. It’s a nice day.”
I had no idea it was possible for him to run with a cast that goes from his thigh to his ankle, but he manages it. He plops down in the chair with a big smile on his face. “Can we talk about Finley?”
“No,” I say. “We can talk about anything other than her. I’m not ready to share her with anyone yet, Heaven. I barely know her. Once I get a better understanding of what I want and who she is, you’ll be the first to know.”
“You swear?” He leans forward with excitement, shaking his good leg like a dog getting scratched behind the ear. “Really?”
I slap his cast and grin, “Swear it. Want a beer? I’m going to go get us one.”
“Hell yeah. Thanks, man.”
I look over my shoulder before entering the house and see how happy Heaven is. Does he really feel left out? Do we need to try harder so he doesn’t feel ignored? He seems like he’s always searching for someone’s validation. I’ve never given a fuck about getting someone’s approval, but Heaven seems to thrive off it.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m a little worried about him.
When I step inside, the air conditioning hits me in the face, and it feels nice against my hot skin. Before I open the fridge, I check my phone, and my face heats hotter than the sun. There are a bunch of heart emojis at first and a smiling face.
FinleyPark: Wow, the view is gorgeous. The beach isn’t that bad either. ;)
I don’t know what to say. She’s flirting, right? She has to be flirting, but I don’t want to come off presumptuous. I’m going to keep it light and not sexual. Being sexual over the phone is bad, and there is no way I’m trusting someone I hardly know not to save my picture and post it on a porn site.
Talk about a nightmare.
I grab a few beers from the fridge and walk outside. Heaven has taken off his shirt and a few scars litter his chest. They are older, different from the scratches caused by the failed heist. I’m curious, but I don’t ask because he has never talked about them. I’m not going to pry.
I hate prying.
“Here you go.” I hand him an ice-cold beer and sit, wiping the condensation on my pants before grabbing my phone to reply to Finley.
“Thanks, man,” he says, twisting the cap off. It’s the best sound to a guy’s ears. The release of carbonation, the hiss of air. It’s fucking beautiful and is automatically relaxing.
IsaacGray88: Haha. Thanks. I love where I live. It’s beautiful, and the woods are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. If you’re ever up this way, I’ll take you into the Redwoods, and you’ll see the biggest trees of your life.
I press send and scroll up to the picture she sent me, seeing the faintest outline of her face as she turns her head. She has a small nose and long lashes, but I can’t see the color of her eyes. Her profile says green, but what kind of green? Light green, forest green, emerald? I want to know.
The buzzer of someone at the door sounds again, and I’m to my feet, pulling my gun from the back of my jeans. I throw the phone safely on the couch. “Stay out here, Heaven,” I warn him.
“Like I’m going anywhere.” He points to his leg. “Really?” He sounds astonished that I’d even ask the question.
The audacity of me.
I slink into the kitchen, and Jaxon is already at the screen. Owen and Sebastian are pointing their weapons at the door, but Jaxon moves his hand in a down gesture, telling everyone to lower their weapons.
No fucking way. The fact that we had Zeke ring for us was one thing, but two buzzes? Someone’s about to get a bullet in their head.
“How can I help you?” Jaxon says into the intercom, and he gives the screen an odd look with a furrowed brow.
“Hi. My name is Maggie Thorton. I’m with the Department of Child Services.”
Well, fuck.
Chapter Six
FINLEY
“What do you mean there are no more tickets until tomorrow?” I ask the older man behind the counter. He’s the kind of guy who has no patience. He huffs and scratches the side of his balding head. The hair he does have is black and greasy, hanging from above his ears to his shoulders. He has a missing front tooth, a mole on the side of his cheek, and he’s eyeing me like he’s never seen a woman before.
“What the hell do you think I mean, princess? There ain’t no tickets for the California Greyhound until tomorrow at six a.m. You just missed the bus.”
“I need to get to California now. Isn’t there another bus going to Nevada or something? Somewhere that isn’t here?” I readjust the strap on my backpack and bite my tongue as the nasty old man licks his lips.
“What? Kentucky too good for you, girl?” His eyes land on
