Page 11 of Leland

“Kelly?”

“Yes. Rouge, Emily, and I are triplets.”

“Oh, triplets, huh?” I asked, trying not to laugh. Lies were very naughty. Even silly ones. And this was the second time she had lied to me today.

“Wow, I knew Emily and Rouge were twins, but I never knew they had a triplet.”

“Oh, actually we’re quadruplets, but Rouge ate the fourth baby in utero. She’s so naughty,” she said, shaking her head. Her side pony swung with her movements.

I couldn’t stop the bark of laughter before it erupted from my chest. She was so damn cute.

“Yes, I think she’s very naughty, considering she lied to me twice today.”

“She lied to you? That’s so bad.”

“Not bad, naughty.”

“I heard Rouge is very bad.”

“I don’t think Rouge is bad.”

“She has a bad temper and throws stuff at her friends.”

“Did you hear what she did after?” I asked, playing along with her little game.

“Probably took candy from a baby or something.”

Chuckling, I reached out and took her hand. “She apologized. Everyone makes mistakes, but only a few are brave enough to say they’re sorry.”

“I’m sorry I lied to you. Twice."

“Thank you, sugar. If you need more money, we can negotiate a raise.”

“No, I don’t need the money. Their regular bartender is out because her mom passed, so I’m just helping out for a few weeks.”

Warmth filled my chest, and I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out and cupping her chin in my palm. “You are such a light in this dark word, baby.”

Flushing, she looked away again, but that way okay. I’d help her see how much she brightened the lives of those around her.

Chapter Four

Rouge

I slid a black dress over my head and grabbed my black combat boots from the closet. Plopping down on my butt, I managed to get them on and tie them. Letting out a yawn, I struggled to my feet and grabbed my brush, running it through my hair. I was so tired. After working all night at the bar, I’d only had time for a shower and about three hours of sleep before I’d needed to get ready to meet Leland.

My bottom clenched at the mere thought of him. He’d been so unhappy with me Friday night when he found me at the bar. I wouldn’t agree to quit and he said we’d talk about it today. Trepidation made my tummy hurt. I didn’t want him to know I’d worked last night too.

After applying a tiny bit of makeup, I grabbed my coffin backpack, and headed out the door. Ugh, it was already so hot when I stepped out into the thick Georgia air. The sweat on my arms stung as it rolled down my skin, reminding me pulling my hair out wasn’t the only way I coped with my anger.

I walked around to where my apartment complex let us store our bikes and couldn’t stop the grin spreading across my face when I saw Leland standing there. I hadn't expected to see him and I was extremely confused to feel… excited about him being there. His ripped jeans and tight black tee did nothing to hide his thick, corded muscles. He smiled at me as he walked across the parking lot at me. “I thought maybe you’d like a ride since it's hot as hell out here.”

I nodded.

He grabbed my hand and led me to his truck. Holding hands like this was new and I tried to pull mine from his grasp.

“No, sugar. Let me touch you.”

I opened my mouth to argue that I didn’t like it, but that wasn’t true. I did like it. Too much.

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