Page 6 of Dissolving Prejudice

Well, I guess he was right. Although, I had clear memories from when I was little of my dad beating the shit out of my mom. I was never too young to understand how cruel this world was. But then again, angels like Cyrus and June made me believe this world still had a bit of hope left in it.

Glancing at Andrei, I only now noticed what he was wearing. “What’s up with these fancy clothes?” I asked, referring to the dress shirt and tailored pants.

Andrei’s lips quirked up before he checked himself out. “I came straight from school. I always try to look presentable for classes.”

I raised a questioning brow at him. “School?”

“Yeah. First year of law school.”

Shit. I really did miss a hell of a lot. And while I was never one to care for other people’s lives, I was suddenly hit with the strong urge to learn about all the things I’d missed. Where was Andrei living now? Was he still dating that wet hamster? What were Jess and Levi doing?

“By the way, the new ink is epic,” Andrei said, cutting into my line of thought.

“Yeah?” I moved my hand over my neck. I’d gotten it inked two years ago.

“Absolutely. Looks painful, though.”

“Nah, it was nothing.” Bullshit. Getting it done hurt like a motherfucker.

Just then, Chief joined us in the hall, and we quickly jumped to our feet.

“How’s he doing?” Andrei asked for the two of us.

Chief let out a slight sigh before he rubbed the back of his neck. “He’s asleep right now, but thankfully, he will be okay.” His tired eyes moved to me.

I had no idea what was going on inside his head, and my chest tightened with nerves until he spoke.

“A police officer informed me of what happened, so I guess I need to thank you for getting him here in time.”

Shocked, I broke our gaze and looked down at the floor. “It was nothing.” It truly was nothing because one second, we were standing outside a restaurant, the next, Soren was down on the pavement with a bullet in his stomach. I truly did nothing other than help him until the paramedics arrived.

“It’s not,” Chief argued, placing his hand on my shoulder.

His touch burdened me with gratitude I didn’t deserve, and I guess Chief felt my discomfort because he quickly moved his hand away before asking me if I had a place to stay. Once again, and for no reason, he showed me kindness I didn’t deserve.

“I do, actually.”

“Where?” Andrei asked just as my phone rang.

Pulling it out, I saw it was Dion calling me, and I knew it was my time to go. I didn’t pick up the call and instead looked up at the two of them. “I have to go, but is it okay if I come by again tomorrow?”

“Of course,” Chief said without hesitating, and the kindness in his eyes made me look down at the floor.

Why? Probably because this was too much, and I already knew that life was never that easy. This moment might feel good and right, but in seconds, everything could be taken away from me—just like it already had so many times before.

Not having anything else to say, I nodded, shoved my hands in my pockets, and began walking when Andrei called after me. As I turned to look at them, I had a painful flashback of that time they came to pick me up from jail. I’d forever remember the hurt that was carried through Andrei’s voice and the acceptance in Chief’s eyes. Acceptance that their life was better off without me.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“You better not disappear on us again,” Andrei said, his smile growing.

“You bet.”

After I informed Dion about Soren’s state, I walked back to my car. While walking, I checked the dozens of messages Oro had sent me during the day. That kid didn’t know when to stop. Busy reading his last message, in which he asked if I’d stop at the club to see him perform, I pulled out my car’s keys to open it. I began typing back my answer—a clear no—while climbing behind the wheel when a low meow caught me off guard. Looking over my shoulder at the back seat, I saw the cardboard box I’d placed there. Sending my head back, I let out a deep sigh.

Thank fuck I left the window open for air.

Quickly reaching for it, I pulled the kitten out of the box, which now stunk, thanks to his piss (yeah, he was a baby boy), and brought him to face me. “Sorry for leaving you all alone.” I kissed his little nose, and in reaction, he brought his paws to my face.