Page 22 of Ky
“Yes. I don’t think people say it that much anymore, but you’re very much spot on with it.”
“That guy over there,” she said as she pointed. “The skinny one with all the tattoos that likes to openly ogle women, I heard him say it when he knocked the drink out of the handsome one’s hand.”
It was hard not to laugh. I mean, not at her but because she was so adorable and cute. The world was new to her, for whatever reason, and she was trying her best to watch and pick up on things she didn’t quite understand.
“The skinny one is Sketch. I like to call him Sketchy-boy just to make him mad. The, um, handsome one is Charming.”
“Here ya go, Ingram,” Mouse said as he handed her a plate loaded to the point of overflowing with food.
“Thank you, Mr. Mouse,” Ingram said as she took the plate.
“Um.” Mouse cleared his throat to hide his laugh. “It’s just Mouse. And no problem.”
He pulled a chair around so he could sit and talk to both of us.
“So why did your parents name you Mouse. Is that like a normal name? It seems strange to be named after a rodent… and something you do on paper… and a charismatic trait. Is that another requirement to be in your club?”
Mouse and I barked out a laugh.
“No,” I said trying to think of the best way to describe it. “Mouse is like his road name in a way. They sometimes give each other nicknames and it’s like a sign of respect to call them that.” I turned my attention to Mouse. “You grew up in the club though, right? And somehow got your name as a kid?”
“Yeah,” he said as he nodded and put his burger down on his plate. “There’s a chapter in Gray Fort, Tennessee, and my dad belongs there. I used to be really shy as a kid. Everyone started calling me Mouse and it kind of stuck.” He gave Ingram his attention as he explained it all.
“Could be worse,” I cut in. “Poor Grass, man. When he grows up he has no choice but to be stuck with that name.”
“True. Poor little guy. Damn, last time I was back there I couldn’t believe how big he’d gotten. Time is flying by.” Mouse’s eyes looked off into the distance and the corner of his lips tipped down the tiniest bit.
“And they call him Charming because with his hair and face the guys say he looks like a prince in a fairytale. Knight, over there, well that’s his real name. His dad is also part of the club in Gray Fort. But I think you get the point.” I winked at Ingram and she giggled as she nodded like she was starting to catch on.
B-ry came over and Brand and Cami showed up a little bit later. We all sat around talking, trying to get Ingram to come out of her shell a little and feel more relaxed here. She seemed to enjoy the banter we all had going on and it was good to see her laughing. I tried my best not to think about where the hell Ky was, and as the sun started to set, I wondered if I should go looking for him.
“You ready to go?” I asked Ingram, noticing that she was looking a little pale and worn out. She gave me a tiny nod and I got to my feet. “I’ll take you home, let me just find Ky and let him know.”
Why I just didn’t text him, I had no idea. Maybe I was a little pissed that he’d just left Ingram like that and part of me wanted to give him a piece of my mind.
“Ky,” I said as I ducked under the half-open bay door on the back of the garage. “The fuck, man?”
I found him bent over his latest rebuild, shop light hanging from the propped open hood.
“Shit,” he mumbled as he pulled his head out. “Sorry, I didn’t realize it was so late. I didn’t mean to be up here this long.”
“I’m taking Ingram home. Just don’t worry about it. Stay and do whatever the fuck you gotta do,” I said and I wasn’t sure where the anger that shook my voice was coming from.
I turned on my heels and stomped off.
“Chris!” Ky called out just before I ducked back under the door. “Fuck, wait.”
“There’s something going on with you. Has been for a while now. You can’t tell me that it completely has to do with Ingram coming back into your life, so please, don’t even try to lie to me. Whatever you’re avoiding, it isn’t going to go away. So deal with it, move on, be the great guy that I once saw you as, and take care of your sister…because she doesn’t have anyone else.”
I was done. I didn’t wait for a reply. By the fallen look that overtook his face, I wondered if he even had one. I left him there, hoping that at least something that I’d said took root in his angry brain.
