Page 34 of Key Of Dreams

“I’ll look it over with fresh eyes.”

Phoenix joins us a short time later and, after taking Kailyn her coffee, sets up in the boardroom to go through Adaku and Serin’s file. Adaku is the middle sister, and her husband is a lawyer. They have two kids in their teens, still in school and top of their class. They go to all the family events, but basically stay out of the political arena.

It’s hours later and we’re still dissecting the information we’ve received when Kailyn walks in. “I set up in the lunchroom. Let’s go.” I get up, but Wire is still pounding away on the keys. “Wire, now!” Kailyn says in a much louder voice. It’s like he just heard her, turning to face her.

“What was that?” he asks.

“Lunch,” she replies, “Let’s go before the sandwiches get soggy.” She doesn’t move until Wire gets up and she keeps looking over her shoulder to make sure we’re following her. Phoenix is already waiting for us. Wire sits down next to him and takes the food Kailyn hands him, and I take mine.

“How’s Maya doing?” Wire asks before he takes a bite. Kailyn orders from a local delicatessen that makes the sandwiches extra hearty.

“She’s good, and she’s loving the school. Worried about Gertie, though,” I add.

He jerks his head up and looks at us. “What happened to Gertie?”

Kailyn launches into what happened last night and goes on to the current plan to rectify the problem. “I spoke to Jordan, and he’s fine with it, but insists on putting up half. He would pay for it all, but he’s rewiring another building rental and doesn’t want to overextend himself. Jordan’s willing to cut our rent until it’s paid up. I told him absolutely not and that we wanted to do this for Gertie. He really is a very nice man. He was upset when he heard about Gertie.”

“Babe, he’s a landlord, and if he wants to pay for it, then let him,” Phoenix replies.

“Price it out and we can divide it between us. Jordan seems solid, so let’s cut him a break,” I say. “He must be changing out the carpet as he rents the apartments, because I took a look at Maya’s and hers is new.”

“And our new place is going to have new carpeting too. Jordan already said so. If we want an upgrade, then we pay for the difference,” Kailyn says.

“I want in,” Wire says. “And I’m sure that Rebel and Falcon will want to help out too.” I’m already positive they will. They love that old woman.

“Have you been home since you started seeing Maya?” Phoenix asks with a snicker. He knows damn well I haven’t except to change clothes once. I’ve been bringing over a bag since then.

“Leave him alone,” Kailyn says, giving him a stern expression. “You should let two people fall in love in peace. Or don’t you remember Rebel and Bull giving you a hard time and how that felt?”

The wordlovemakes me nervous. I haven’t seen an honest exchange of love between two people until Phoenix and Kailyn got together. Sure, she was married to Cory, but he was already in the unit, and I never saw them together. My parents’ idea of love is so fucked up that if that was love, I didn’t want any part of it.

When I snap out of my thoughts, I find the three of them staring at me.

“You looked freaked out, man. What are you thinking about?” Wire asks.

“I don’t know how to love her,” I grit out. It hurts to say it, but it’s the truth.

“You already do,” Kailyn replies. If that’s meant to ease my mind, it does anything but.

“Hey, look at me, brother,” Phoenix commands. “There are lots of ways to show love. You know you’re doing it right when her face lights up like a Christmas tree anytime your name is mentioned. Or that she holds your hand tighter just for a second right before she has to let go. She waits up for you because she has to see that her man is safely by her side before falling asleep. Kailyn does that for me.”

“Maya does that too.” The words come out in a raspy voice.

“Seems to me like you’re loving her just right, then,” he answers. He smiles, and Kailyn hugs her man. And kisses his cheek.

“Well done, Mason,” she says.

“Okay, we’ve established that you all are in love. Now, can we get back to work and get Falcon and Rebel out of there?” Wire asks.

They all get back to work, and I’m just behind them, but I take out my phone and type a text to Maya before joining them.Love you, baby.

Love you back and more,she writes back.

Chapter17

Jealousy

Bull

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