Page 55 of No One But You

“Hey, man,” Trevor greeted me in his usual jovial manner, then stopped when he saw the expression on my face. “What the hell happened to you? You look like shit.”

I shook my head. I didn’t want to talk about it. “I need a beer and a bag of ice,” I whispered the words, then wiggled my jaw to make sure it wasn’t broken. Now that my adrenaline had dissipated, pain started to settle in.

Trevor didn’t say anything but returned quickly with one beer and two bags of ice. He placed one on my knuckles and gestured with the other toward my jaw.

I held the bag on my face. “That bad?”

“Like you had a fist meet your face. But from the look of your hand, seems like you got a good jab or two in yourself.”

I put the ice down and took a swig of beer. “Father-son bonding.”

Trevor’s brow ticked up.

“How much do I owe you for the damages?”

Trevor stood straight. “Won’t take your money. You didn’t do anything. Your dipshit dad owes me.”

I laughed. If Trevor waited for Terry to pay up . . . “Hell will freeze over before that useless asshole pays you anything. I need him out of here, and if I pay it, he might just be allowed to go on his way next week after his court date.”

“Dude, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called your dad names. Even if it is true. Let me get Nico to make you some jalapeño poppers. Be right back.” Trevor slapped the bar quieter than usual.

I tipped my beer toward Trevor in thanks and took another swallow. It tasted stale and sat heavy in my stomach. I stared behind the bar at nothing in particular.

Terry’s words reverberated in my mind. What kind of mother left her kids? That question had haunted me my entire life. I spent my teen years wondering what more I could have done to make her stay. To make her love us enough so she wouldn’t leave.

Trevor placed the jalapeño poppers on the counter. “On the house.”

“Thanks.” I took a bite of a popper and chewed slowly as the spicy, cheesy goodness filled my mouth. I finished the beer and held it up.

Trevor acknowledged and placed a fresh cold beer on the counter. “You good, man?” He raised his brows.

I stared at him and tipped up the beer, taking a good long swallow, and gave him a short nod. Maybe if I didn’t use words, Trevor wouldn’t feel the need to stay and hover. I downed the rest of the beer. This one went down like water, and I gestured for another.

Trevor sighed heavily before placing a new bottle on the counter along with a glass of water. We held each other’s glare, then he finally left me alone.

It was about time.

Soon the poppers were gone, and so was my third beer, then my fourth. I had no clue how long it had been since I drank four beers in such a short time. Did it matter?

Suddenly I felt someone near me. I only had to inhale to know it was Kora. Her scent of flowers and vanilla filled my olfactory nerve and sent my pulse racing.

I lowered my face, not wanting her to see me like this.

Monday night it was at the police station, now four beers in, and I had no clue what my face looked like, but it throbbed like hell.

“Hey.” Her voice was soft and sweet. I felt the pressure of her hand on my back. The heat from her touch radiated through my shirt and calmed my racing pulse. She rubbed her hand in a circular motion. It felt good. It helped me relax.

I sat up straight and took a large mouthful of water and emptied the glass. “I’m guessing Trevor called you.” I turned my head just enough so I could see her from the corners of my eyes. I tried my best to hide the other side of my face.

“Texted me, but same difference.” She gently turned my face toward her and brushed the tender area on my cheek. “What the hell happened?” Her voice was still soft and now concerned.

Which made me smile. Only Kora could cuss and be sweet in one breath.

She reached for my hand, which had already started to bruise and swell, and gently picked it up. “Kai?”

“Don’t.”

She let go of my hand, and I attempted to flex my fingers, which sent shock waves through my nerves. I sucked in a breath.

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