Page 21 of Banking on Love

“That reminds me… stay the fuck away from Kensi!” Cody roared across the parking lot at me.

“Last time I checked she doesn’t have a ring on her finger.” I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

“Not yet but we have history together so it’s only a matter of time.”

“Wishful thinking on your part,” Xavier scoffed.

“Why would she choose a thug over me?” Cody asked with his eyebrow raised. He stared at Xavier. “Kensi deserves the best.”

The bastard was right. Kensi deserved the world. A woman like her was way out of my league. I had gotten lucky with our one night of fun and our time at the Festival of Love together. Realistically, I wasn’t worthy of her time.

“Shut the hell up, Cody,” Xavier frowned. “The only thug around here is your ass.”

“What?” Cody rolled his eyes. “Do I look like I wear a bandana and run around robbing places?”

“I don’t do either of those things,” I retorted.

“Right,” Cody said sarcastically. “So trouble with the law back in New York isn’t why you’re here?”

His words made a chill run down my spine. Did he know what I had been accused of? No. The only person who knew was my grandmother and she wasn’t going to tell anyone. Cody was just fishing for the reason why I moved to Cupid’s Cove?

“What’s wrong with me living here?” I asked, ignoring the gut-twisting feeling rising in me.

“Everything!” Cody snapped at me. His finger was pointed in my direction. “You don’t belong here. So go back to whatever shithole you came from!”

With that, the asshole turned and walked away.

“Ignore him. He’s an ass,” Xavier said, patting me on the back.

“Guess so.”

“Let’s go grab a beer. That’ll fix everything,” he grinned from ear to ear. I couldn’t have stayed mad after seeing the look on his face, even if I had wanted to. The look reminded me of my childhood friend– Scott. He’d give me the look whenever he was trying to sucker me into something.

“Alright,” I chuckled. “But let’s finish cleaning up first.”

* * *

A variety of old-school rock-and-roll played over the speakers as conversations and laughter filled the bar. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits. No bickering. No shouting. Just everyone having a good time.

Xavier and I were on our third round of pool. He hadn’t accepted defeat from the first two rounds of ass whoopings I had given him. He playfully accused me of being a pool shark. We small-talked as we took turns shooting and got to know each other. Nothing too personal, but enough for me to confirm he was a good guy. Just like I had thought.

“You ever think about moving away from here?” I asked, leaning against the wall as he took his turn.

“Yeah. A few times,” he shrugged. “But where the hell would I go with no degree and not a lot of money?”

“Never thought about going to college?”

He began to take his shot, but stopped and looked at me. His facial expression was something out of a cartoon. Like he had just tasted something sour or maybe received terrible news. But just as quick as that look had come it had gone. It was replaced with sadness.

“What’s wrong?” I was kicking myself for prying into his life. “Sorry. Wasn’t trying to–”

“You’re good.” He stood up and smiled. “I always wanted to go to college but my grades were shitty.”

“Thought you were on the football team? Don’t you need grades for that?”

“Around here, sports are life. Teachers pencil whip that shit,” he smirked, making me laugh. “I think I was a straight C student. All I had to do was show up to class and I’d automatically get the grade.”

“Damn. Must be nice,” I chuckled. He grinned then leaned across the pool table and took his shot. The cue ball bounced off the four-ball and slammed into the eight-ball, which went into the side pocket.

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