Page 89 of Slashes in the Snow
“Yeah?” I turn my head in his direction vacantly.
“What’d you do to your hair?”
I touch my messy bob. “Deacon snuck into the house while I was sleeping and cut it,” I explain shamefully. “And then he sent it to Ky.”
“Piece of shit.” Gerard runs his palms over his face with an exasperated huff.
“Ky likes it.” I recall what he said after Dahlia fixed it.
It’s sexy as fuck.
I would give anything to hear him say that to me again. I’d keep my hair short for the rest of my life if that’s what he wanted. Just as long as he’s with me, I’d do almost anything.
I lean on Gerard’s shoulder, just watching the time tick by. Waiting is agony. It’s amazing how long a minute lasts when you stare directly at the clock.
“You know he apologized to me,” Gerard shares randomly.
“Oh?” I lift my head to look at him.
“He said you told him to do it. That if the two of you were going to be together, we needed to fix things.”
“It’s the truth. How could our relationship work if the two of you hated each other?”
“I never hated Ky.”
“I know. I think deep down he didn’t hate you either. He was just hurt and didn’t know how to deal with all those feelings.” I place my tiny hand over his. It’s so much bigger and covered with tattoos. The combination an illustration of our two worlds merging together.
He smiles weakly. “It felt good getting him back.” He looks straight ahead and his voice cracks at the end of his sentence. He doesn't need to finish his thought. I already know what he’s thinking. It was good to get him back . . .even if it was for just a little while.
“Should we get you checked out, Little Darlin’? I’m sittin’ here worrying about Ky, I completely spaced on you.”
“I’m fine, Gerard. Shaken up. Totally in shock, but fine. I don’t want to be anywhere but here with you.”
“You know your mother is going to cut my balls off when she finds out about all this.”
“I know. You’re screwed.” I offer no consolation.
Gerard’s jaw drops, then his lips curl up into an appreciative smile. “I love you way too much, little girl.” He wraps his arm around me.
“It's hard not to.” I snuggle against him.
“Ky never stood a chance,” he grunts.
“Nope,” I agree.
“Kira.”Hawk clears his throat off to the side of Gerard and me. “I thought you could use some coffee.”
“Thank you.” I accept it graciously, even if he is one of my least favorite people on the planet right now.
“Can I sit?”
I look at the empty chair next to me. “Sure.” I shrug.
Hawk takes a seat and rests his elbows on his knees. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry for causing trouble with you and Ky. I was just trying to protect him. It’s my job, ya know.” He looks over at me so solemnly. His apology is sincere. “Ky is one of my best friends. My brother, my leader. I just wanted him to have his eyes open.”
Through Hawk’s explanation, I come to realize just how important Ky is to the men in this room. I observe each and every one of them, and they all have the same worried, misplaced look on their faces. They’re a band of brothers, lost boys, and Ky is their Peter Pan.
“I appreciate your apology. And I accept it. Let’s just start fresh, okay?”
