Page 45 of Taming Bull

“I love you, Bull. Promise me you won’t go home and start overthinking everything. I want this—I want you and everything that comes with you—and I will fight for you if I need to. You’re not getting rid of me, so don’t even think about trying.”

I didn’t think I could force myself to shake Lily if I wanted to. I was having enough trouble just walking away from her for the night. I dropped my forehead to hers and breathed in her clean, sweet scent, letting it ground me. “I love you, too. I’ll try.”

* * *

Back in the day when I’d first prospected with the club, our parties didn’t end before sunrise. We’d close the place down, stumble upstairs, and sleep the day away. But now that half the club was married with kids, all-nighters were a thing of the past. By the time I got back to the fire station, it was almost 2:00 a.m., and the party was winding down. All the married couples and kids had cleared out hours ago. Zombie and Frog were on one pool table, and the other was empty. Morse was sitting in a corner with his laptop, and Tavonte was alone at the bar, nursing another beer.

Since he had an early flight, I was surprised to see him still up. I poured myself a large glass of water and sat beside him.

“Saw you leave with Lily,” Tavonte said, playing with the bottle. “Everything okay between you two now?”

“Yeah.” Unable to help myself, I smiled. Just thinking about my angel had me grinning like a goddamn guilty devil. “We’re good.”

Tavonte eyed me and smiled. “Glad to hear it. You talked everything out?”

“Yeah. Thanks for the push. I needed that. I’m still worried about my family and don’t know what the fuck’s gonna happen when I show up on their doorstep with Lily on my arm, but we’re committed to trying this.” Mom would probably pass out and Dad would freak out and ask if I’d lost my damn mind. And Lily? Well, she’d take it all in stride. She’d probably win them over with her uncanny ability to wriggle into people’s hearts.

Tavonte chuckled. “A word of advice… warn them first.”

“Yeah. It’s probably past time for me to have a conversation with the folks.”

“It’s amazing the shit you can fix by opening up and actually talking to people,” he deadpanned.

“Smartass.” I tried to glare at him, but doubted it worked since I couldn’t seem to stop grinning. “Don’t you have a flight in the morning? Shouldn’t you be asleep?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “I should be, but… I’m worried about what I’ll be walking into at home. I’ve tried to call Kiana a few times, but she’s not answering. Mom told me all she knows, which isn’t much. My sister started hanging out with some hood rat. Mom told her to stay away from him and focus on her schoolwork, but my sister can be stubborn as hell. Mom caught her sneaking back through her bedroom window the other morning. Doesn’t know where she was and how long she was gone. Mom demanded answers, but Kiana lost her mind, talkin’ about how she’s in love and shit.”

“Maybe she is?” I suggested.

He leveled a hard look at me. “No man worthy of my sister is gonna want her crawling through windows and sneaking around like some side-piece. The shit-for-brains isn’t even in high school. He’s a grown ass man and has no business fuckin’ with a sixteen-year-old girl. Mom’s worried Kiana is gonna get knocked up. Or worse.”

“Shit. Sorry. I didn’t realize he was older. Thought it was just a couple of teenagers being crazy. This guy sounds like a real bastard. You need any help, be sure to let me know. I can fly out and help you bust some heads.”

“Thanks, brother. I can take care of my own, but I appreciate the offer.”

“If you change your mind and need me, I’m there. Besides, the travel might be nice.” My talk with Lily had reminded me of that dream. There were still so many places I wanted to see—shit I wanted to do—and it was nice to know I wouldn’t have to travel alone. “I’ve always wanted to see Nashville. Bet Lily would like that, too.”

Tavonte nodded. “My mom’s one hell of a cook. I’m tellin’ you, it’d be worth the trip for her homemade mac-n-cheese and biscuits and gravy. Mhm-mhm. Okay. Just thinkin’ about Mom’s cookin’ has me feelin’ a lot better about headin’ home. Sure, I may have to kill a motherfucker, but at least I’ll get some good meals out of it. Once I’m settled and have this shithead dealt with, you and Lily can fly out and visit. I’ll take you around to all the hot spots.”

“Deal.” I drained my water and stood. “I gotta get to bed. Gotta work tomorrow and I’m already gonna be hating life. I’ll see you in the morning before you head out, right?”

Tavonte nodded. He stood and we clasped hands, patting backs, before heading in our separate directions.

My phone buzzed with an incoming text, so I tugged it out of my pocket.

Lily: Have you ever wondered why local bars can only sell alcohol until 2:00 am?

The question was so classic Lily, I laughed out loud as I headed for my room.

Me: Can’t say I have.

Lily: Well, I Googled it, and can’t find a reason. I did find a pretty color-coded time chart, though. Apparently it’s illegal for bars in Washington to serve between the hours of 2 and 6 am. Why? Does the ghost of inebriation drunk dial people and magically turn them into alcoholics at 2:01? I need to know.

Me: The bigger question here is what bars are open at 6 am, and why have we never gone to one?

Lily: See? Every time you feed my insatiable curiosity like that, my panties melt a little.

I groaned at the visual that accompanied her text wishing she was waiting in my bed, rather than across town in her own.

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