Page 74 of Never His Girl
Translation: She should have us over while her father’s away, because he’d never allow Dane to set foot inside their home otherwise.
It’s like the guy knows my brother would deflower his sweet, innocent daughter in a heartbeat if given the chance.
I hold in a smile, thinking about it. “You guys go ahead. I have something to take care of.”
Sterling assumes wrong. I know as much when his brow quirks suggestively. “Oh, yeah? Making another trip to South Cypress tonight?”
“Actually, you’re not wrong,” I answer, wondering how much I should say.
“You gonna leave us hanging or what?” Joss asks with a grin. Her nosey ass is dying on the other side of the table, waiting for me to say more.
My gaze flashes toward Southside for only a second, before shifting back to Joss and the guys.
“I reached out to Ricky,” I admit.
Dane shoots me a stern look. “Alone? You fucking crazy?”
“I can handle myself,” I remind him. “Besides, it’s not gonna be a rematch or anything. He and I just need to have a talk.”
“About…?” Joss pops a brow when asking.
“Just some shit we need to clear up,” is all I say.
Sterling’s shaking his head profusely before I even finish speaking. “You’re not going alone.”
“It’s already happening. Relax,” I say back.
They’re all quiet after that and I get why they’re concerned, seeing as how the last encounter I had with the guy ended with us both bleeding, but I’m focused now. Then, I was still raw with frustration over Southside, but with things leveling off, my head is much clearer.
Still don’t like the guy, but I’ll be cool.
“How’d you get his number?” Dane chimes in. “Last time you mentioned it, you weren’t sure how to find him.”
I bite into my burger, pretending not to hear his question.
“Gonna answer me, asshole?” he presses.
I’d probably just come out with it if Joss wasn’t sitting here, but she’ll definitely have an opinion, and won’t hesitate to share it.
Peering up, all three are staring and I know they won’t let it go.
Rolling my eyes, I mumble a response. “Got it from Southside’s phone.”
“You went through her phone?” Joss screecheswaytoo loudly.
“Would you shut the fuck up?” I glance around to make sure no one heard that. “And, no, I didn’t go through her phone. He called the morning after I slept over, when Southside stepped out of her room to deal with some family shit. I noticed it was him and copied his number down.”
Joss is staring, expressionless. “You honestly think that’s better?”
“What the hell was I supposed to do? The guy’s like a fucking ghost! I saw a chance and took it.”
Eventually, she averts the death stare and goes back to eating her lunch.
“What’re you hoping to accomplish?” Dane asks.
I resist the urge to shrug, which would let them know I don’t really have a clear-cut plan.
“It’s just a conversation,” I answer.