I chuckled. “Of course, I am.”
It was in the middle of the night as I stared at the beautiful golden-brown eyes caring for me. Delilah sat on my bed, affectionately wiping sweaty hair from my forehead, still holding my hand. Her warm body next to mine caused more reassurance that she was safe. The solace in the fact that she was protected, over time, became misconstrued and turned into a full-blown obsession…
I adoringly told her, “I need you safe.”
Delilah’s shoulders relaxed. “Thank you. I am safe. You and Tuck make sure of it.”
The mention of her brother’s name suddenly disturbed me. I guess my expression showed my confusion because Delilah asked, “What is it?”
I blinked my eyes, trying to clear my thoughts of unwanted jealousy. Tucker had been the perfect brother to her and the best, best friend anyone could ever hope for. He didn’t deserve this betrayal.
So many signs were present, but if you don’t know what they are due to ignorance, then you don’t see them. Dark shadows from my past found their way into my present and future life.
At the time, I believed I had fallen asleep during my internal battle about Tucker because when I awoke, it was to Delilah lying next to me in my bed, watching me. It was a wish come true to have her so close, and it was a dream come true when she kissed me. Her lips were as soft as butter when they caressed mine. It was a timid kiss, but oh so good. When she stopped, I smiled at her. We had just had our first kiss.
She hesitantly nodded. “Now, will you talk to me?”
What? “Of course, I’ll talk to you. What do you want to talk about?”
“You–We…” Delilah looked dumbfounded. “Kenny?”
I pulled her to me. “Yes, darlin’, what’s wrong?”
She cautiously said, “I thought you were mad at me.”
I touched her face, thinking she was a part of the heavens above. “Why would I ever be mad at you?”
“But you just… You rolled away from me.”
I quietly chuckled, not wanting to wake Tucker or her dad. “Uh, that happens when I sleep. I roll, darlin’.”
“S-Sleep?”
I wish I had heard her timid voice and realized something was tragically wrong, but instead, I squeezed her. “But I loved waking to you.”
“Wh–when did you sleep?”
I chuckled again, clueless to Delilah’s concern. “Just now. You okay? You look shaken up.”
She slowly nodded in thought. “Yeah, I’m a little shaken up.”
I rolled to my back and had her lay her head on my chest. “Do you want to stay with me? ‘Til ya feel better?”
I was surprised to feel her tears on my skin. Delilah whispered, “Yes, I would like to stay with you, Kenny.”
The next morning, I woke, disappointed that Delilah was gone, but I understood her not wanting her dad to find us breaking house rules. I eagerly got dressed and ready for the day, anticipating seeing her. Walking down the hall, I heard, “Can I talk to you?”
Tucker’s morning voice told me he was still in bed as he answered Delilah. “You okay?”
Knowing she was right there for the reaching, I rushed into his room. “Hey,” I said, pulling her into a strong hug. “Good morning.”
Because we were at the same height, her arms easily reached my neck. I just didn’t realize how slow they were moving, and how full of caution they were. “Kenny?”
Into the crook of her wonderfully smelling neck, I said, “Yes, darlin’.”
Her arms suddenly tightened.
Instead of reading her, as I should’ve, I was in hog heaven! That was until I remembered her brother being present. I slowly pulled away to see his shocked face and winced. “Sorry.”
Delilah was touching my face, studying me, but Tucker laughed. “Are you two together?”
No longer paying attention to me, Delilah gazed at him. “You look happy.”
“Hell yeah!” Tucker stated. “This bastard’s been pining over you, driving me nuts! And he’s become the suckiest wingman ever.”
Delilah’s eyes found mine. “For me? No girls ‘cause of me?”
I spoke the truth. “None of them compare.”
Tucker asked her, “Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?”
Delilah started to shake her head, but then stopped. Appearing somewhat disturbed, she looked to me then her brother, asking, “And you’re truly happy with this?”
Tucker jumped out of bed and group-hugged us. “Yes, I trust Kenny. That means you can, too.”
Youth isn’t all that it is cracked up to be. I don’t know why so many older people want it back. It was a blind time in my life. Even though I didn’t think I was selfish, I was. I ignored Delilah’s hesitation and jumped into a relationship with her that, deep down, I knew she never wanted. I let the love she had for her brother blanket the love I had for her. I used her emotions—her need to keep her brother smiling—and made Delilah mine.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Alrighty, little boys, who’s driving next?” asked Diesel as he pulled the SUV alongside a gas pump. As it had been during most of the trip, his old rock-n-roll music was loud and without mercy. If I had to listen to “When You Close Your Eyes,” by Night Ranger on repeat one more time, I might have decided that throwing myself out of the speeding vehicle was a mercy all on its own.
Jesus. The badass biker was lost in music from before I was born.
He eyed me. “More complaints about my el music-o?”
I lifted my hands in surrender, zipping my busted lips.
He turned off the engine, giving my ears a break. Maybe there is a God.
The gas station wasn’t busy, but I kept my hoodie tucked over my head as Diesel had requested. My face was one that he didn’t want seen much until I grew a beard and let my hair grow longer, to disguise myself a little more—not that anyone could recognize me with all the facial swelling. I had assumed hiding was for the Wards’ sake. The thought that I would soon have a new identity was lost on me.
So young. I was so damn young and confused.
In the back seat with me, Scorch opened the door while volunteering, “I’ll drive.”
Diesel now glared at the passenger seat.
Art laughed. “I know the routine. To the back I go.” He opened his door and got out.
Prez leaned across the seat while shouting, “Hey! Pump the fuel while you’re at it.” He looked to the now empty seat next to me. “No offense, kid. I don’t do backseats.” As he got out of the driver’s seat, he swore under his breath, “I fucking hate cages.”
“Diesel?”
The big man leaned his tattooed arms on the top of the open doorway and ducked his head back in. “Yeah?”
Full of nerves for my future, I tugged on the front of my sweatshirt. “I, uh, don’t know what’s happening next, but, uh, thanks for trying to help me.”
He rested his head on his arms. “Ah, shit, kid.” I guess he realized I hadn’t been told anything. “You haven’t asked questions, so I assumed you knew what was up.”
I swallowed. “I’m not really sure I even know what a Prospect is—except for what I’ve seen in the movies.”