Page 36 of Devil In The Details

“Whoa, guys,” Kane stands. “We’re not killing my buzz with sappy shit like this.” His finger swings between me and Candace. “You two canwander your bleeding hearts to a shelter first thing in the morning to mend some of humanities great sins. As for tonight, we’re getting loaded.”

“You’re an asshole, Kane.” Candace rolls her eyes, taking a healthy sip of her drink.

Kane blows her a kiss. “Talk dirty to me baby, I like it.”

Ian smirks when Candace huffs something under her breath. But it’s Tav who stands to pull his t-shirt over his head. “I’m going for a swim. Who’s in?”

“Fuck, yeah!” Kane hoots as Ian and Candace stand.

I feel Cash’s fingertips dig into my skin as he murmurs, “How’s your bleeding heart, Kitten?”

I twist in his lap. “Hurting a little. Sometimes I really hate people.”

“You like cats?”

“Love all animals,” I answer honestly. “But cats especially, yeah.”

“Ever had one?”

“Three, actually.”

His brows lift. “Three?”

“Dad has a big heart, too,” I say by way of explanation, then amend, “Okay, maybe we have five. He has two shop cats, as well. They hang around the shop and yard. Strays Dad started feeding and they never left.”

“You’re close to your dad?”

I nod. “He’s my favorite person.”

Cash nods. “He know you’re living with me?”

I wince. “Not yet.”

“Have you told him you moved?”

“Not yet.”

He watches me for a solid thirty seconds. It takes everything I have in me not to shimmy in discomfort under his scrutiny. “Have you talked to him since you moved?”

His eyes drop to my mouth as I roll my lips to the side. Shamefully, I admit, “Yes.”

His expression doesn’t change. “Will he be pissed?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “It’s partly why I haven’t said anything.”

Cash thinks. “How’d he react to you bringing guys home? Boyfriends?”

My face flushes warmly and I shift in his lap. I’m saved from answering when Tav hollers from outside. “You lovebirds coming?”

“In a minute,” Cash yells back, focus never leaving me. So…maybe I haven’t been saved, I think, as he reminds, “Kitten?”

“I never brought guys home.”

“Never?” His voice is thick with something I’m not sure I understand.

I shake my head, confirming, “Never.”

“But you had boyfriends, yeah?”

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