Page 72 of Hale's Pawn
Karessa smiles, genuinely happy for Ainslee. “No, is it really fun?”
“Hell yeah!” Ainslee turns to me. “Babe, can we go tomorrow? I want her to try it and then I’ll bring my equipment so that I can film it.”
“Up to you guys,” I say to Jagger and Karessa.
Jagger nods. “I’m for it.”
Karessa nods too. “Same. We had a lazy day today. We wanted to play charades but we need more players. Are you guys too tired?”
“I’m not. Are you?” I ask Ainslee.
She’s still bursting with excitement. I swear it’s like giving a kid coffee. “I’ll be ready in twenty minutes. Anybody want me to make my famous coffee? The sexy-mexy?” She wiggles her brows.
We all say yes because we’ve had it and that shit is like coffee crack. Ainslee and I head upstairs to shower and get ready to come back down. I’m enjoying this vacation more than anything else.
AINSLEE
Our honeymoon is comingto an end and it’s been the best time of my life. I look over at Oran as he talks to Jagger around our impromptu bonfire. I’ve always wanted to be part of one. I sigh as I take in my beautiful husband. I’m so thankful to him for this trip. I can’t say I hated any part of this. I enjoyed getting closer with everyone and being able to tell my husband I love him with every bit of me.
I stare out at the sunset, it’s beautiful. It’s pure paradise. “What are you thinking about?” Oran asks me.
I smile before I look at him. “Just how wonderful this all is and how I truly appreciate each and everyone of you. Outside of Mikos and Markos, I’ve never had the chance to experience true love and friendship, so that’s why I want to tell you, Karessa and Jagger.” I look at them. “I want to share something with you both.”
Oran takes my hand in his. “I’m right here,” he says, giving me full support.
Karessa and Jagger look at me expectantly and slowly I begin. “As you know, my mother was never really a good person to, well, anyone, but it didn’t stop there. My mother physically and mentally abused me from when I was a really young age. She would say hurtful things to me and beat me. Sometimes it wasn’t so bad and other times, like the year, before I moved out, she made me dance for two hours straight with no break. She hated me and I don’t know why. I loved her, I really did, but she didn’t love me back. My father and brothers never knew because I was afraid.” I look up and I see Mikonos as he sits besides me. I give him a small smile. He gives me a wink as he holds my other free hand. “I, well, I didn’t know how to process her death when my father did what he had to do, but I’m happy he loved me enough to do it. I searched for love for so long, yet I didn’t realize I had it all along.”
“I’m so sorry,” Karessa offers. There are tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Jagger looks like he’s going to knock someone out.
“Thank you, Jagger,” I say.
“For what?” he asks after a pregnant pause.
“You were my outlet. I remember one time you asked me why I fought with you so much and it’s because of this. I needed an outlet, someone who would go toe to toe with me and not see the bruises.” I see the look on his face and rush to give my explanation. “No, don’t take it the wrong way. You helped me in ways you didn’t know that you did and I wouldn’t change the help. It took me a long time to understand that you gave me the energy that I gave you. I was angry, angry at the world and at my mom, but then I found Oran. He made me see a future, he showed me what it’s like to have someone love you back, and how much those words mean when you say it to someone who reciprocates them. I love you guys. All of you. Even you, Jagger.” I smile because I’m not shedding any tears for me or my mother.
I am happy, loved, cherished, and most of all, I’ve found people who love me back ten-fold. I will never take this for granted. Mikonos is the first to say something. “Fuck that bitch and may she rot in hell.” He lifts his bottle of whiskey up and then chugs the rest.
I laugh and everyone joins in. Yeah, I’ve found my people. My family.
35
Ainslee
When we get backfrom the honeymoon, I feel refreshed and I’m happy, but there’s something in the air. Once we get off the private jet, we’re met by some paparazzi This I don’t miss. “Ainslee! Ainslee! How’s your father? How’s Andres Bishops doing?” someone says to me.
“What?” I ask.
“Move,” Mikonos says to the paparazzi and they listen.
I reach for my phone and power it up. Jagger and Oran are behind with Karessa while I’m speed walking. They know I hate the pap so maybe that’s why they think I’m doing this. When my phone turns on, I see the missed calls from the hospital and one of the boys. I look at Mikonos. “What is it?”
“Not here,” he says. “Keep walking.” We make it away from the paps and once we get to the car, he looks at me. “It’s Papa and Phoenix.”
“What do you mean? What about them?” I ask, even though I know something is wrong.
“They were in Vegas and something went down. They both got caught in the crossfire,” Mikonos says with no emotion on his face. I know he’s just as worried as I am.
ORAN
