A Boy I Used to Love(67)

She nodded. She smiled.

"What?" I asked.

"You're everything to me, River. I'm not really hiding, but I guess … I don't know. I don't want to put this all out in the open and then get hurt. It was bad enough losing you the first time … "

"You're never going to lose me again. I promise."

Lacey nodded. "A barbecue sounds amazing. I don't have any tattoos, though. Will I fit in?"

"You'll just be the bare-skinned freak," I said with a wink.

"Thanks."

"These guys are my brothers. They're going to love you. It's the final piece to my puzzle. The last piece of the dream, Lacey. And from here on out, I want you to figure out your dream."

"My dream?"

"Yeah. You ditched med school plans. I can't imagine that you truly love what you do right now. So, figure out your dream, and let's make it happen."

"I've got you, River … "

"No, no," I said. "Beyond all that romance stuff. Something that you want out of life. That I can help give you. I can … I can support us, Lacey. You can live here. Or I'll go live with you. Whatever you want. Not a hand out or anything, okay? But … what I always wanted and promised-me taking care of you-that's what I want to do. Take care of you." 

Lacey grinned and moved up to her toes. She kissed my chin. "You're cute when you get flustered."

"I'm not flustered," I said.

Lacey walked into the bedroom and dropped the towel. She looked over her shoulder at me.

I growled deep in my throat. Then I sighed. "Okay, now I'm flustered."





Lacey





PRESENT DAY





Tate had a hell of a house. It was almost like a rock star's palace. A large wrap-around driveway with landscaping in the middle adorned the front. I half-expected to see a water fountain in the middle of it, but there wasn't one. But there were cars and motorcycles parked everywhere, nothing fancily parked by some valet.

"Um, how rich is this guy?" I asked River.

He laughed. "He's not exactly rich. Just smart with his money. Don't let the size and strength confuse you. Tate is a smart guy. He's worked his ass off all his life. He got this place on the cheap after the previous owner fucked up with his own money. It took a lot of work to get it into this shape though."

River took my hand after I got out of the truck, and he led the way to the front door and just led us inside without knocking. The interior was really nice, but really different. Nothing laced with marble and gold. Nothing glittering and shining with the aura of wealth. Instead, it was just a laid-back kind of house on the inside. The walls were graced with framed pictures of tattoos, St. Skin, famous people who had come into the shop to get some ink done.

When you opened the front door, there was a straight shot all the way to the back of the house. A hallway led the way, stairs on the left, a wall on the right. That gave way to a kitchen that had almost cathedral ceilings. The ceilings were angled with four skylights.

"Hey, there they are," Prick said as he lifted a cup and winked.

"Prick," River said. "You remember Lacey?"

"How can I forget?" he said with a wink. "What do you want to drink? I'll make you one of my signatures."

"Don't take it," a voice said as the door opened. It was Axel. He was holding a bottle of beer. "All he does is mix straight booze. You drink it and your liver just cries in a pain."

"But it's so worth it," Prick said. He turned and stumbled, hitting the counter.

"How many have you had?" I asked.

"Three or four," Prick said.

"Two," Axel said. "He's had two. And he's half-shot. Tate's ready to drown him in the pool."

"Fuck off," Prick said.

"Hey Prick," Axel said. He put his beer bottle down. Then he cupped his hands around his mouth. "Drink water!"

He yelled it loud and Prick put the cup down. "Fine. I'll go get water. From the pool."

Prick left the house and Axel shook his head. "He's a prick."

"Fits the name," I said.

"Let's get something to eat," River said.

"Um, if this is unprofessional, let me know," Axel said. "My mother … "

"Ah, come on, man," River said.

"No, it's okay," I said. "Why don't you go get us a beer?"

River looked at me. I nodded and smiled.

There was no turning things off when it came to dealing with a loved one who was going to pass away.

River walked by and paused at Axel. He gave him an evil look, then slipped outside.

"What do you want to know?" I asked.

"He's pissed, huh?" Axel asked.