Page 69 of Relentles
She took his cigarette from between his fingers and sucked on it.
He frowned at her, but her playful wink elicited a laugh. As she released smoke, she handed him the cigarette back. He hit it again. Fatigue had him reading too much into the action. It was as innocent as her texts. She probably needed a moment to herself, too.
“I didn’t know you smoke.”
“I’ve smoked for thirteen years. Since I was fifteen,” she added. “I’m a casual smoker. I can’t afford to be any other kind.”
Shaking his head, he got his half-empty pack from his cut and handed it to her.
She grinned. “I don’t have to hit you over the head, do I? Hints work perfectly.”
“I got a wife. Megan taught me how to read a woman and her cues.”
“Ummmmm.” She didn’t sound convinced. She snatched his cigarette again. “So whereisthe Mrs.?”
“At home,” Christopher sighed. “Fuckin’ broken-hearted. Well, you saw her when we came to visit Jo earlier.”
She held the cigarette out to him again, but he held up his hand. It was almost done anyway.
“If it was a joint, you’d share.”
“I wouldn’t smoke a motherfuckin’ joint with you, Torie.”
“Why not? We’re friends.”
His thoughts were a jumble of Megan and Jo. He couldn’t process anything else.
“Here, Outlaw.” She held out the cigarette. “Take another hit. It’ll calm you.”
He hesitated.
“Do it,” she ordered. “I’m your daughter’s nurse. I know what you need to relax you when you’re eaten up with worry.”
He took the cigarette. As he took a drag, Megan’s devastated expression flashed in his mind’s eye. “Tell me how to help my girl,” he said quietly.
“Jo is in good—”
“Not mydaughter. Mygirl. My Megan.”
“Um, I don’t know her very well. She looks very young for her age. Must come from good stock. She’s about forty or forty-five?”
“You little ageist. She’s thirty-five.” He applauded Torie for not digging deeper into Jo’s record and finding personal details about Megan. “About seven years older than you.”
“Well, she’s an old man’s darling. Better than a young man’s fool.”
“You’re fuckin incorrigible.” He held the cigarette out to her, so she could enjoy the last of it.
“She’s a very lucky woman.”
“I’m the lucky motherfucker.”
She handed him the butt, and waited into he discarded it into the sand-filled ashtray before she said, “I beg to differ. I’m a woman and my ex was a lying, cheating piece of shit.”
“I’m sorry, Torie.”
He meant it. She was a sweet girl. Maybe, he’d introduce her to one of his brothers. Unfortunately, he wasn’t sure who. Potter had taken over the Bobs, currently living in dick suck heaven. Diesel had Tabitha. Most of the other younger members couldn’t keep their cocks in the pants. That would defeat the purpose of introducing her to a good motherfucker.
“I wouldn’t mind being a sugar baby.”
