Page 31 of Firecracker

Chapter Nine

I feel bad for leaving Quick, but it’s the right thing to do.

No attachment. No overnight stays. No drama.

Feeling good about my decision, I push my shoulders back and shut the door. Only to realize that I don’t know where Izzy is and where I’m going to go right now. I start to panic making my way over to the elevator. I didn’t think this through all the way. Maybe I-

“Goin’ somewhere?”

I scream, jumping around to see Gus standing in the small kitchen by the coffee maker. “For fuck’s sake, you scared the shit out of me Gus.” Clenching my chest, I bend over trying not to laugh.

“Running away I see. You lookin’ for Iz?” He grabs his cup of coffee and moves to the table.

I move back toward the table taking a seat across from him. “I wasn’t running away. He doesn’t do sleepovers, so I did him a favor and left before he woke up,” I answer honestly.

“Yes, but what if he wanted ya to stay?” Gus takes a sip of coffee.

Ignoring his question, I ask, “Is there more of that?” motioning toward the coffee maker.

“Yes, let me get it.” Gus gets up before I can protest.

“So are ya leavin’ today or ya goin’ to stay a couple more days?” Gus asks over his shoulder.

“I don’t know what to do, honestly. I don’t want to go back, but it would make things easier.”

“Easier on who? The cunt? What I’ve heard he’s a real prick,” Gus says, still not looking at me.

“Who’s a prick?” I jump again hearing Izzy’s voice bellow from behind me.

“Fuck, is everyone around here ninjas?” I laugh, grabbing my chest again.

Izzy laughs. “I need coffee.”

Izzy stops to kiss the top of my head before moving toward Gus who happens to have two cups of coffee. He must have known she was coming out.

“Where’s Quick?” Izzy asks, moving toward the fridge.

“Your one here snuck out of me lad’s room.” Gus chuckles. I swoon over his thick accent and his laugh. I think this is the most I’ve spoken to Gus. It’s nice seeing this side of him.

Izzy stands up from bending down in the fridge to look over the door at me. “You left him sleeping? You snuck out?”

I shrug my shoulders. “I wanted to find you. Don’t we have stuff to do today?”

Izzy shuts the fridge and comes to sit down in front of me. “Um, I don’t know how to say this, but he never takes girls home with him.” She smiles. “Like ever.”

I again shrug my shoulders. “I told him last night it was a no strings attached kind of thing. He agreed.”

Gus hands us our coffee, placing creamers and sugar on the table. “Stall the ball, lass. Did he actually agree and confirm what ya just said? I know me, boy, he doesn’t take just anyone home. Especially to his room,” Gus declares.

“Hello, I’m still married. It’s sex. My head isn’t ready for anything else,” I say simply. I try to convince them or maybe myself that it’s just sex.

Shit. I feel bad now.

“Plus, I’m Iz’s girl. He’s been taking care of me since I got here.”

Izzy starts busting up laughing. Gus just looks pissed off.

“What?”

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