Page 8 of Dissolving Prejudice

“So who’s here?” I asked while following Andrei as he walked down the hall, which led to where I assumed Soren’s room was.

“So far, only me and Chief. But Jess and Levi will be here soon.”

“Yeah?”

He nodded. “Heads up, Jess is excited to meet you.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “So you told them about me?”

Andrei stopped walking and turned to face me. “Of course, man. How could I not?” He then frowned. “Wait, you didn’t want me to say something?”

Did I? I wasn’t sure.

“Nah… I mean, it makes sense you’d tell them.” I scratched my jaw as my real worries trickled in, and I looked around. “You think he knows?”

I had no idea if Andrei had any connection to Shay-Lee, but if he did and the rumor of my return had spread, then Shay-Lee might already know I was back. The last thing I wanted was for Shay-Lee to discover I’d popped back into everyone’s life from someone else. After all, that was how he learned I’d left. I hated the idea of repeating the same mistake, and only because he deserved better than that. But back then, I had no other choice but to disappear as if the ground had swallowed me whole. It was part of the agreement I had made with Dion. Just another clause in the contract I signed with the devil.

Andrei’s silence didn’t help to ease my growing restlessness, and I glared back at him. The way he avoided eye contact told me he knew something.

“What is it?” I asked, the muscle in my jaw twitching.

“Nothing.”

Pissed off, I smacked his chest, then pointed at him. “Bullshit. You have something to say.”

Andrei poked the inner side of his cheek before he let out a long sigh. “Shay-Lee’s very close to Soren, so when Chief told him what happened, he might have mentioned your name.”

My throat dried as my heart rate increased. Trying to ease down this awful feeling, I clenched my fists. “Did Shay-Lee say anything?”

Andrei gave me a pitiful look.

I hated it.

“Not that I know of. It was a really short conversation, D. Chief basically said nothing.” He ran his fingers through his thick hair before he continued. “You need to be prepared that Shay-Lee might not be happy to see you again.”

I frowned at his words because Andrei had no clue what he was talking about. Shay-Lee might be angry at first, but to say he wouldn’t be happy? Please. He’d be thrilled, same as I would be, only that he’d hide his excitement underneath a mountain of slurs and punches.

“With all due respect, Andrei, you know nothing about us.” The corner of my mouth pulled into a cocky smirk. “I’m not saying he won’t be pissed at first. He will. But we’ll get over it fast.” I snorted, thinking about all the little brawls we used to have before becoming a couple. “It’s just our way of expressing our passion.” I wrapped my arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer. “Since you have a French refrigerator for a boyfriend, I can’t blame you for not getting it.”

He huffed and tried pulling away when I kept him close.

“Diesel—”

“Nah,” I cut him off. “You don’t need to say anything because I already know Shay-Lee’s immediate reaction will be rough. I’m prepared for that.” I winked at him. “If you know what I mean.” The only thing better than hate sex was our hate sex. Fuck me, did Shay-Lee know how to fuck his frustration out. Just thinking about the way he rocked those hips when he was angry got my dick to take notice.

Andrei shook his head before shrugging my arm from around him. “I’m glad you’re confident, but that’s not what I’m talking about.” He paused and darted his eyes to the floor before up to me. “There’s something else you need to know about him.” He scratched his chin. “You see, Shay-Lee’s—”

Andrei’s words came to an abrupt halt when someone screamed my name, and I turned around just in time to see Jessie charging at me. As always, the idiot was too damn excited for his own good as he was ready to jump on me. Except he couldn’t because his boney ass would crush Toro.

“Hold on, sunshine,” I rasped, stopping him seconds before he lunged at me. Jessie’s excitement was replaced with a pout, and I felt like shit for putting that pitiful expression on his face, so I revealed to him what I had inside my jacket. Soon enough, a huge smile returned to his face.

“A kitten?” he gasped, his big eyes jumping between Toro and me. “You have a kitten?” He then turned to look at Levi, who was walking toward us. “Come here, Babydoll! He’s got a ca—”

I zipped back my jacket, then grabbed Jess’s neck and pulled him close before he could announce to the whole hospital that I had a freaking cat with me. Why did I assume that he’d change with age? He clearly hadn’t. I mean, his physique had changed, as it looked like the dude had gained a few pounds of muscle and no longer looked like a living stick figure. He had a few of his piercings back in and had also grown back his hair but kept its natural blondish color. Overall, he seemed to be in good shape.

“What’s his name?” Jessie asked at the same time Levi joined our little circle of three.

“Toro,” I said, then turned to look at Levi, who had definitely matured. His face had shed off those youthful features that made him look like a doll, and now, it was all sharp edges and high cheekbones. If he wasn’t so short, he could have been a model. That thought reminded me of his old nickname.