Page 83 of Brick

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FOUR

Brick

The last thing Brick wanted to do was leave Olivia’s side, but he could only escape his real life for so long before it would seek him out. Better if he faced it head on—and he would in a few more minutes. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if he let himself revel in this perfect moment.

Wouldit?

He’d thought falling asleep with her was extraordinary, but waking up with her was every bit as precious. Now she lay here next to him naked with perfect trust.

When had anyone ever trusted him?

The responsibility was staggering. It was foreign, a gift.

Eventually, he pulled on his jeans, fumbling awkwardly with the zipper, then tugged on his t-shirt. It occurred to him quickly he had no shoes, no truck, and no wallet to get himself home.

Fuck.

It would take at least an hour to walk to his place, and doing it barefoot would destroy his feet. Shame tainted the amazing morning he’d had as he returned to Olivia’s bedroom to wake her up. “Livie?”

“Mmmm,” she hummed and turned toward his voice. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she smiled at his ugly face. “Morning, baby.” Her lower lip stuck out as she took in his fully dressed state. “You’re leaving?”

He sat on the edge of the bed. “I have to. Or they’ll start looking for me.”

Her teasing pout turned into a real frown.

He cleared his throat. “I don’t have a way to get home, though. I hate to ask, believe me, but do you think your brother would give me a ride?”

“Are you kidding? You want to explain to Will you spent the night, or should I?” Olivia rolled her eyes. “Grab my purse off the kitchen counter.”

“No way. I’m not taking your money.”

She climbed out of bed without a hint of modesty and swiped her purse from the kitchen. She fished out a twenty-dollar bill and folded it into his hand. “I don’t care about the money, Jonathan. There’s plenty of other stuff to worry about.” She sighed. “I hate the idea of you going back there.”

His heart warmed at her concern. “I’ll be okay. But I’m going to pay you back.” He kissed her forehead, then ordered his ride. “Thanks for taking care of me last night.”

With gentle fingers, she lifted his fucked-up hand to her lips and feathered it with kisses. “You never have to thank me. I’m glad Kane had the sense to call me when he found you. He is the one we should both be thanking.”

“Trust me. I will. But Liv, this is important, we’re lucky he was the person who tracked you down. If you ever get a call from a number you don’t know, don’t answer it.”

“But he called me from your phone.”

He shook his head. “From now on, when I call, wait for me to talk first, okay? If it had been anyone else on the other end of the line, I don’t want to even think about what could have happened.” The horn honked outside, and he drew to his feet.

Liv kissed his cheek as he headed for the car. He really did owe Kane for looking out for him. It seemed he didn’t only have one person who cared about him, but two.

At least he didn’t have to worry his screwed-up life would be a threat to Kane Hale. That motherfucker could take care of himself.

***

The driver dropped Brick at the gym, where Freddy had set aside his forgotten shoes and keys.

“Where you been, man? Rumor mill’s been churning ‘bout you wiping out in the middle of the street. You all right?” Freddy wasn’t a bad guy, but you couldn’t find a bigger gossip around. If you wanted a story to spread, he was the guy to tell.

He spread his arms wide. “It would take more than what Antonio Reyes could dish out to put me down. I was the one who won the fight last night.”

The old man lifted his cap to rub over the top of his bald head. “You don’t have to tell me. I watched them carry his sorry ass out of here last night on a stretcher. At least you walked out on your own two feet.”

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