Page 47 of Shadow and Skulls

“Kels, this makes me nervous. I would at least feel better if I knew who you’re with.”

There’s no way I can ask her to lie for me while at the same time making her worry I’m going to be murdered … or worse. I’ve shared too much of my past with her to ask that of her. It’s not fair of me.

Tank nods his head before I even ask if he’s okay with her knowing about us.

Us.

“I’m with someone from the club.” I decide to give her the bare minimum to see if that will appease her.

“Kelsie,” she squeals. “Oh my god. Who is it?”

Fire licks at my cheeks. “Tank,” I mumble under my breath, turning away from him so he can’t see how red my face must surely be.

“The big guy?” she asks in a hushed whisper. “Oh my god, Kelsie. Are you sure about this?”

“I’m sure.”

Tank's fingers dig into my thighs as he tugs me onto his lap. The air leaves my lungs when he grinds himself against me.

“I’m more than sure,” I say again when she doesn’t respond.

Tank’s fingertips dimple my jeans as he pushes me back and then forward over his growing erection. The tension strumming between us is becoming almost painful.

“Please do this for me, Billie Rose.”

“Okay. Okay, fine …”

“The spare key for my car is in the back right wheel well,” I rush to tell her, pushing against Tank’s chest. “I’ll see you in the morning. I love you.”

“Goddammit,” she grumbles. “You better get here early, because I’ve got a lot of questions.”

“I will. Thank you. Bye,” I say quickly, hanging up before she can change her mind.

“One more call.” I rise to my knees, needing him to stop. “I can’t think when you’re doing that.”

He chuckles, patting me on the butt. “Go ahead. I’ll be good. Promise.”

Please, Lord, please let me get through this next call.

“What’s wrong?” my dad asks the minute he answers.

“Dad,” I groan. “Nothing’s wrong. Jeez, I was just going to ask if I could stay at Billie Rose’s tonight. We’re going to have a girl’s night,” I lie. “I was going to head over there when school gets out.”

I smile when the faint sound of his tattoo gun hums back to life. It means he’s relaxed.

“Yeah, that’s fine. I think it will be good for you to spend some time with her.”

My heart takes a little dip at how easy it was for him to believe me. I know that trust is hard-earned with him … and I’m breaking it.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you,” he says, getting ready to end the call.

“Dad,” I say abruptly, instead of my usualI love you too.

The buzzing in the background stops. It’s replaced by the rumble of his chair wheels over the hard wood floor as he stands abruptly.

“I can’t lie to you. I’m not staying at Billie Rose’s,” I whisper, sliding off Tank’s lap.

It’s quiet on the other end as I make my way to the window of Tank’s trailer. There’s a beautiful weeping willow tree across the road. I stare at it, knowing that this is it. Everything in my world is about to change.

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