“I need some air, so I’m going for a ride.”
“Fine… I guess I don’t need to ask if you plan to come back or not.”
“I’m not leaving the Hill if that’s what you mean… and even if I was—”
“Yeah I know,” I bark, cutting him off, “you always come back.”
He walks toward me and slams his helmet on the countertop, startling me.
“Is that what this is about? You still think I’m going to just up and leave you, never to return?”
“No, I don’t think that,” I hiss, exasperated. “I just have other things on my mind, okay?”
“Then what? Just fucking tell me! Is it because I mentioned wanting kids? Christ, Kirsten! You used to tell me everything.”
“And you still never tell me anything,” I undertone. He’s trying to back me into a corner, and I hate feeling like this.
“Then tell me what you want to know, and I’ll answer.”
“Really?” I ask, studying his face. I can tell he’s completely serious.
“Mmm-hmmm,” he nods, “but I can’t promise you will like the answers.”
“I don’t need to like them, Pax, I just don’t want to feel shut out anymore.”
“Neither does my anaconda,” he teases, taking a seat. “So, what’s on your mind?”
I shrug, knowing the things I want to ask are private, so I pour him a glass of whiskey and slide it to him.
“Where do you go when you leave?”
He takes a mouthful and swallows as his old-world blue eyes meet mine, and he takes a deep breath.
“Fairmount, it’s a small town about a six-hour ride from here. I visit with a few friends, check up on them, and make sure they’re doing okay. They are the closest thing I have to family besides you.”
“Are they the same people you grew up with from when you were—”
I can’t even say it, but I can see he understands what topic I’m pursuing.
He nods.
“We don’t talk about it though, not since the imposters got caught, tried, and convicted. But somehow they were only sentenced to ten years plus time served. It’s a slap in the fucking face really, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re a sick fuck with a powerful defense attorney.”
My mouth parts and I stare at him, shocked and wondering why he never told me they’d been caught. I have so many questions, and I need a drink now.
“How long until they get out, Pax?”
The question comes out before I can stop it and I’m not sure I even want the answer.
He swirls the glass of whiskey before he swallows it back and slams the glass down on the table.
“They got released last year. I have no clue where they went but if they’re smart, they had better be in hiding,” he warns. “But the lawyer on the other hand, I know exactly where that fucking smug prick lives. I’ve paid him a few visits too.” His tone is filled with sinister vibes.
“What do you mean visits?”
“Let’s just say that the less you know, the better. I was doing what I had to. Can we be done with the questions for now?”
I nod, taking in the way his hand trembles as he lifts his glass gesturing for a refill.
“I’ll leave it alone for tonight, but I still have questions. Thank you for letting me in,” I say, planting a kiss on his whiskey lined lips.
“You’re welcome,” he winks, “but now it’s your turn.”
“My turn for what?”
“To tell me why you’ve been so off lately.”
I glance up to the sound of the door creak open and see Jimmy enter, instantly relieved.
“We will talk about this later, I promise,” I whisper. “Hey, Jimmy! Where’s your clone?” I ask, noticing his brother isn’t with him.
“What’s up you two? Jack had a few errands to run, but he should be here by the time the party is in full swing. Did you have a chance to check out the sound system?”
“Not yet,” Pax says, giving him the brotherly embrace. “Vixen’s been too busy maintaining the liquor spouts and I’ve been setting up chairs for two hours.”
“Well, it is work before play as they say,” Jimmy states, “I’ll go turn it up and test it out while you two finish up with the bar.”
“Thanks, Jimmy,” I say, handing him a beer.
The bass from the music is strong, causing the walls to rattle as Jimmy cranks the tunes and people start to pile in, including Jack. I let the two brothers take over doling out the drinks while Pax collects his regular fees at the door and I start to wind down, drink in hand, swaying to the music.
I can’t help but think about the last three years, knowing Pax has not only been trying to keep an eye on his makeshift family, but that he’s been dealing with knowing those sick fucks would be getting out of jail and yet he never said a word to me. It hurts, knowing he didn’t want to confide in me, or maybe he didn’t want to worry me. Either way, I feel like there are still things he’s not telling me, but I’m glad we’ve finally opened a line of communication, and at least I now know where his avid hate for lawyers stems from.
Now I’m even more terrified to tell him about Gabe, but I know I have to.
“Want to dance?” Pax asks, a long while and a few too many whiskeys later.
I nod, slam the rest of my drink and follow him onto the dance floor. He has no clue how to dance, but I enjoy watching him try; especially when he gets all hot and sweaty from trying to do the
