“I’m not gonna fuck her over. Christ, Brax,” I said angrily.
“Leaving her behind? You’re gonna break her fuckin’ heart,” he said. “And you goddamn well know it.”
I stood, paced, found myself in the kitchen where I leaned against the counter. “I really like her, Brax. You’re right. She is different. She is like us.” With my hand I scrubbed the back of my neck. “It’s all I can think about.”
Some of the tension eased out of the harsh lines in Brax’s face. “So. What are you going to do about it?”
I shoved my fingers through my hair. “Hell if I know.” I looked at him. “I’ll talk to her.”
“I’m serious, Kane,” Brax said. “Something’s off with her. I’ve felt it ever since I first met her.” He looked at me. “I think she’s been through some serious shit. She doesn’t need you making things worse.”
I nodded, pushed out a sigh. “I recognize it, too. And I fuckin’ hate it.”
“Think about it,” Brax said. “Think about quitting the numbers, okay? Before you get in over your hard fuckin’ head.” He walked to me, draped an arm over my shoulder. “I love you, man. I don’t want to see you get hurt. Or Harper.”
I wished I could tell him. How I’d managed to keep it from him all these years, I didn’t know. But I didn’t want him to know. Didn’t want to put him or Olivia at any risk, and knowing Brax, he’d react in a way that would be unpredictable. “Can I borrow your bike?”
Brax looked at me with a hooded gaze. “Why?”
“I’d like to take Harper out on it. I don’t think she’s ever been on one before.” I nodded. “And I’ll talk to her.”
Brax rubbed his hand over his head. “I don’t fuckin’ like this, Kane. I don’t.”
“I’m going to see her whether you like it or not,” I informed. “I’m not asking permission. It’ll just be with your bike, or without.”
My brother glared at me for several moments. “All right. But talk to her. Don’t just brush her off or you’ll have me to fuckin’ deal with. And figure out about the numbers, Kane. I don’t want you getting into shit, then bringing that shit back here. Around Olivia.” His face grew tight. “We’d have a problem, then.”
I didn’t want to get his hopes up. But I didn’t want to leave my brother on bad terms. Before long, my time here would be up. My welcome worn. And I’d have to go. “You got it,” I half-lied.
It was one of the hardest things I’d ever done, not telling Brax. But it was for his own good.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I glanced at the screen. “I gotta take this, man,” I said. Brax’s face grew tense, but he gave a nod, and I headed outside.
The cool air whisked against my face as I walked to my truck and leaned against it. “Yeah, well, that’s what I wanted to hear,” I said into the phone. “I don’t care that they’re going to be pissed. That’s the name of the game, man. It’s the chance you take when you place a bet. It’s why it’s called a bet.”
I listened for a moment, unworried. I’d had unhappy customers before. Plenty of times. Most people knew when they played numbers, there was always a crap chance they might win, or one where I would win. This time, I won.
“Make the pick-up,” I said. “I’ll deal with them tomorrow if they have a problem.”
I hung up, shoved my phone in my pocket, and craned my neck to look up at the sky. The late afternoon sun touched the lazy white clouds streaking overhead, burning the edges as dusk approached. I knew that once night fell, billions of stars would blink, linger. I understood Olivia’s fascination of them.
Just like I understood Brax’s fascination of Olivia.
Rather, his love. Damn. My baby brother was in serious, serious love.
Would I ever be free to do the same?
“You’re joking.”
Kane’s soft laugh made his eyes dance. “I’m not.” His head dipped, and firm, slightly cool lips pressed against mine, swiped once more, then opened his eyes and looked at me. Mine were open and now they crossed.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
“I do.” I didn’t even hesitate. It was frightening, yet there it was. “But I’ve never been on a motorcycle before.”
Kane drew his brows together. “You live in Texas and don’t own a pair of jeans, either,” he accused, and leaned close so that his lips hovered over mine. “And until recently, you’ve never been kissed.” He pressed his mouth to mine. “New experiences, Ms. Belle. There’s a million of them, just waiting for you.”
He was right about that. I looked skeptically at Brax’s bike. I knew who it belonged to. I’d seen Brax riding Olivia around on it before. “It looks dangerous.”
Kane stood back, held his arms out, and shrugged. “Do I?”
I tapped my chin. “Hmm. Let’s see. Leather jacket. Check. Rugged jeans. Check. Rugged boots. Check. Slightly scruffy jaw. Check.” I inspected him further. “Smoky eyes that make my knees all wobbly.”
“Check?” he grinned. “Point made. But you know I’m not.” He dipped his head. “So come on already. Looks can be deceiving and you know it.”
“Go on, Harper,” Olivia said, as she and Brax joined us in the lot by his apartment. “It’s really a lot of fun.”