Page 122 of Kings Against the World

“Oh.” I blink, completely thrown by what I’m hearing. I walk the space of my bedroom, ending up by the window that overlooks the street lined with more homes and some small businesses. “Yeah, I mean… that sounds like what would be best for them.”

“Excellent, we will put you down as their emergency contact in the event something happens where you need to be notified. You are also allowed visitation on a weekly basis if you are interested. I can forward you all the necessary information about their treatment program. Is [email protected] the correct address?”

“You can send it there. Thanks.”

“No problem, and be assured, we’ll do our best to rehabilitate them.”

I thank Fernando for his call and then pocket my phone, feeling strangely conflicted. On one hand, the possibility that Mom and Dad might finally get clean sounds amazing. But on the other hand, it’s still a sensitive subject for me. I’m still not ready to forgive them or even attempt to repair our relationship.

If they’re serious about making a change, they’ll have to do the work and show me over time. I won’t be enabling or doing any handholding this time.

There’s a knock on my door. Ozzie pokes his head in a second later. “You okay?”

I smile at him. “Very okay. Am I too late for a second slice of pizza?”

“Better hurry. Moses is eyeing his fourth.”

“Sounds like you’ve come to get me just in time.”

Ozzie holds the door open for me as I walk out, then pulls me against his side. We return to the others for more pizza, beer, and good company, and for once, I’m happy to put the past behind me.

Moving Day comes to an end once it’s dark out and the last of my visitors leave. I wave at Mace and Sydney as they climb into his truck and drive off. After a tense introduction, the two have really come through for me, along with the rest of the MC. I step back into my apartment with a satisfied sigh, sliding the latch into place.

“All gone?” Ozzie asks, appearing from the hall.

“All gone.”

“Good. Thought they’d never leave.”

I chuckle, raising a brow. “Have you forgotten they’re your friends?”

“Uht, uht. They’reourfriends now, babe. You’re officially one of us.”

“That’s a first. I’ve never had more than two friends.” I’m joking, but also entirely serious as Ozzie steps toward me and slides his arms over my hips.

“You mean to tell me you weren’t Miss Popularity in school?”

“You’re kidding, right? Have youmetme?”

“Yeah, I have. And you’re pretty fucking awesome, like I’ve told you a million times,” he says, dropping a kiss on my lips. He squeezes me closer, his hands feeling so good on my hips. “Which means I’m still shocked you’re giving me a chance.”

I smile against his lips. “What can I say? You wore me down.”

“So accosting chicks in hospital bedsdoeswork.”

We laugh together as I loop my arms around his neck and I realize he’s put on some music. The volume’s on low, the smooth R&B jams serving as background noise. It’s such an Ozzie thing to do, I laugh all over again.

“Did you turn on music?”

His mouth slants in a crooked grin. “It’s your first night in your new place. Figured we should celebrate.”

It’s in that moment that I realize we’ve gradually begun swaying in place. We’reslow dancing.

My cheeks ache from how hard I’m smiling. With anyone else, I’d find it corny, maybe even stop altogether, but it’s different with him. Like the night he got me to hit the casino and gamble with him, I’m letting loose. I’m no longer beholden to the old rigid rules I’d set for myself, where anything remotely fun wasn’t allowed.

“Smooth, Gallagher. Real smooth,” I tease. “Turn on a little R&B. Get your girl slow dancing. Next thing you know, the panties come off.”

“Don’t hate the player, Special Agent. Hate the game. Besides, it’s working, right?” His hand roams ’til it’s palming my ass and giving it a playful squeeze. “It’s not my fault if I want to dance a little with my girl.”

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