Page 143 of Explosive Prejudice

“What?” Andrei paused, his eyes wide and his brows pinched close.

“It happened two weeks ago.”

“Shit, man, I’m so sorry,” he said hoarsely and then gasped. “Fuck. I wasn’t there for you.” He looked at me, pain in his eyes.

Andrei knew about Iván. Not as much as Shay-Lee did, but he always knew I had a brother in prison with whom I kept in touch.

“It was and still is hard, but I’m not alone, so don’t feel bad. Shay-Lee was there for me, and he’s been the one keeping me sane since.” And alive. If it weren’t for him, I’d probably be dead after trying to kill Dion myself.

“I’m glad he’s there for you.”

“Thanks.”

Moving his hand through his hair, Andrei looked around. “We better start getting ready,” he said while getting up and brushing his ass of the sand.

I also stood. “Yeah, we should. I better get back to my apartment and take a shower.”

“Or you can come inside,” Andrei suggested. “It’s still your home.”

I stretched my neck. “Is Chief home?”

Andrei lingered for a moment before nodding. “Yeah.”

“Fuck no, then.” I was dead serious about never speaking with Chief again. He could drop dead for all I cared.

“Diesel,” Andrei sighed.

“Nah, ain’t gonna do it. But I’ll meet you guys at school, yeah?”

Andrei didn’t seem at ease, but he knew better than to argue with me.

“Sure.” He stepped closer, then wrapped one arm around me and patted my back.

“I missed you, man.”

“Yeah, same.”

Shay-Lee was right about me meeting Andrei. I fucking missed the bastard.

Pulling back, Andrei then patted my cheek. “Are you two happy?” he asked, his sharp eyes piercing into me.

“Almost.” I winked and then grinned like the asshole I was while he shoved me aside and started walking back to the house.

I didn’t go right after him and, instead, turned to look at the ocean one last time.

We were almost happy, but it was only a matter of hours before we’d drop the almost.

Shay-Lee

“Come here, niño. I’ll help you with your hair,” Rosa said, holding the hair dryer while she waited next to the dresser in the bedroom.

“That’s why you’re my favorite lady.” I smiled at her, and as usual, she rolled her eyes at my cheesiness.

After I sat on the stool, Rosa stood behind me to blow-dry my hair, which had grown quite long. I often cut it right above my shoulders; now, it fell below them. Camilo loved running his fingers through my hair, and I loved it when he did, so I kept it longer. I never brought it up to him, but I was convinced touching my hair relaxed him.

“Are you excited about today?” Rosa asked, taking my mind away from my perfect man.

“Yeah, sure.”

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