Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 143382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 717(@200wpm)___ 574(@250wpm)___ 478(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 717(@200wpm)___ 574(@250wpm)___ 478(@300wpm)
Since nothing happened for what seemed like a long time, I squeezed Raye’s hand before I let it go, got up and went to my brother.
I wrapped my fingers around his and waited for him to look down at me.
“I’m not momming you,” I said to start. “I’m just offering, because you lost people who meant a lot to you. Do you want to stay with me for a while?” I finished in a hurry. “I won’t be mad if you say no. I’ll get it.”
Jeff looked to Javi, so I did too, to see him watching us.
Particularly our fingers wrapped around each other’s. And it was the first time that night where he appeared pleased about something. Still broken and sad, but there was a little goodness there.
“You can come over too,” I invited Javi. “I’m learning to cook. I can make you both breakfast.”
Or I could try to.
How hard was it to whip up some scrambled eggs? I’d watched Ina do it at least half a dozen times.
“I gotta talk to Joaquim and Jamal’s people,” Javi said to Jeff. “But if you wanna hang with your sister, do it, brother.”
My brother brought my hand up to his chest and pressed it in, so I looked at him.
“I gotta do that with Javi,” he said softly.
I hurt for him, and I was proud of him at the same time.
To share this, I pulled my hand from his hold and hugged him.
He hugged me back.
So they could get on with their sad task, I let him go.
But I moved right to Javi.
And then I hugged him.
It took him a second, but his arms curled around me, and he squeezed so tight, I had to hold my breath so I wouldn’t wheeze.
When he seemed to realize what he was doing, his arms loosened, but he didn’t let me go.
I tipped my head back and said gently, “I’m so sorry you lost your brothers tonight, Javi.”
“I am too, hermanita,” he replied.
“If you need anything…” I let that trail, but I turned to my brother, so he knew what I hoped he already knew. The offer was for both of them.
Jeff’s lips lifted up in acknowledgement and a smile he didn’t feel.
Javi let me go.
I stepped away.
Roam stepped forward. “I’ll drop you wherever you need to go.”
“We can make our way,” Javi replied.
“I wasn’t questioning that,” Roam returned. And he didn’t stop there. “Something to know about me, I grew up on the street too. I get it. I get why you keep your crew tight. But don’t make bad decisions when the offer is made to expand your world. I had one dead brother and one live one,”—he jerked his head to Cap—“and we were facing nothing good. Then we let our world be expanded.” He lifted his hands to indicate the men in the room. “Not a lecture, just something to think about. Now, you want a ride?”
Javi didn’t move, he just stared at Roam for a really long time.
I relaxed when he finally muttered, “That’d be good.”
I gave my brother another hug before he left with Javi.
Raye got close when the door closed behind them.
“I called Luna. Luna called Harlow. Harlow is taking my shift this morning. Luna then talked to Tito, and Willow is taking your shift this afternoon. I’m taking Harlow’s.”
Willow provided our baked goods in the coffee cubby. Willow also acted as backup in the unusual event one of us needed to call off.
“I’m fine,” I said.
“I’m not saying you aren’t. I’m saying take some time. If you want to come in, come in. If you don’t, it’s covered.”
God, I loved my chick.
I wasn’t a hugger, but clearly hoarding most of my life’s supply meant I had to clear out some space, because I gave her a hug too.
When we broke, Eric was there, and he took control of my hand.
“I have the rest of the morning free too,” he said.
Decision made.
I wasn’t going into work, at least not until later.
I said goodbye to everyone, made sure to thank them all, especially Mace, for intervening, then Eric took me down to his Tahoe that was parked in the garage under their building.
We got in, he drove us straight to the Oasis, and he gave me an amazing gift as he did so.
Our comfortable silence.
Not that I didn’t have a lot on my mind. It was just, sometimes, I dealt with it better on my own.
And I loved it that Eric gave me space to do that.
Once home, I realized, even having a guy, it’d be nice to snuggle a cat. So I decided, even with all that was happening, we were so totally going to an animal shelter that weekend.
I might not get one, but I was going to get the lay of the land.
On this decision, I went right to the refrigerator.