Page 48 of Jackass

She leaned into me, and I pulled back.

That’s right, baby, you want me as much as I want you.

“Goodnight, Sammy.” I smirked and walked out the door. Before the door closed, I heard her curse.

“Asshole.”

Walking down the hall, I chuckled. I made my way to the bar and sat down a few stools away from Gunner. I owed him an apology. Gunner took his job as SAA seriously, and I knew he was only looking out for me, despite what he said during church.

“Hey, man.”

Gunner looked up from his beer and turned toward me.

“Hey,” he replied before taking a drink.

The prospect behind the bar was new. I couldn’t remember his name, but he dropped a beer in front of me without me asking for it. That was a good start.

“Gunner, I wanted to apologize—”

“It’s all good, brother,” he interrupted before I could finish. “Sometimes emotions run high in church, especially when women are involved.” He huffed.

I slid over to the stool next to me, leaving only one between us.

“You ever think about settling down?”

Gunner looked over at me. Setting his bottle down he sighed heavily.

“All the time.”

My eyebrows shot up. That was surprising.

“You want kids?” I asked.

“Kids are great. You will never find another person who will love you as unconditionally as a child.”

He hadn’t answered my question. It made me wonder if therewas something I didn’t know about my brother.

“You have any kids?” I asked hesitantly.

“Me? No. Got a little sister, though,” he admitted. “I was eight when she was born. We had shitty parents, so I kind of raised her. Made sure she had food and clothes.”

“Where is she now?”

“She’s in Oklahoma. Paid for her to go to college, and she’s got a good job. She just got licensed as a therapist in Oklahoma City.”

“Wow, man, that’s awesome. When was the last time you saw her?”

“Not since she went to college,” he said, lifting his bottle to his mouth.

“Why not?”

“Didn’t want her wrapped up in this life. Kept her clear of it.”

“Hmm, but you want kids?”

“Yea.” He sighed. “Never said I would have them. Don’t always get what we want.”

Gunner placed his bottle on the bar and stood. With a quick shout across the room, Brandy was immediately by his side. He wrapped his arm around her waist and the two of them walked off.