Read Online A Heart Not Easily Broken (The Butterfly Memoirs) by M. J. Kane - Free Book Online Page B

surprised me we got along.
    If Ebony’s roommate liked casual sex, she and Javan were a perfect match.
    The pretty boy façade was not me. I worked outside, not in an air-conditioned office. I sweated and got dirty, but still took pride in my appearance. My style of dress was casual, laid back. My closet housed jeans, shorts, pullovers, and polo-styled shirts. I kept my face clean-shaven, most of the time, no beard or goatee. Sometimes I let my hair grow until it curled at the nape of my neck. Ladies loved running their fingers through it.
    Javan looked at me with raised eyebrows. “And you know this how?”
    “I took her out Tuesday. She’s nothing like one of your girls, J. Don’t even think about it.” He stared at me silently, meeting my hard gaze with one of his own. “She’s off limits.”
    “You’ve got a thing for her. So it’s like that?”
    “With her, it’s definitely like that.”
    He inclined his head. “Didn’t you get over dating black women after what happened with, what’s her name?” He snapped his fingers.
    “Trina,” I said sourly.
    “Trina, yeah.” He shook his head. “So you’re ready to try again. You’ve got balls, man.” He held out a knuckled hand to bump fists. “Just watch your back this time.”
    “Believe me, I will. There’s something about her. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’ll be different with her. I can feel it.”
    “Good luck. So, do you have your half of the rent?”
    I reached into my nightstand and pulled out a wad of twenties bound together in a rubber band. “Here, count it.”
    “I trust you.” He stuffed the roll into his sports jacket pocket. “What do you have planned this evening?”
    I glanced at the clock beside my bed. “I have an hour left of practice before heading out for a private lesson. Tonight’s band practice. How about you?”
    “Damn, you always have that guitar in your hand. Is it in bed when you…” He made an obscene gesture with his hand.
    I chuckled. “You’re an idiot.”
          He put his hands up. “Hey, I wonder sometimes.”
    “It takes work to make the big bucks.” I reached for the guitar.
    He shook his head. “To each his own. Tonight I’ll be in bed with Yasmine, an insatiable woman while you…” Javan pointed at my guitar and laughed before disappearing down the hallway.
    “Whatever, man.” I grinned and got back to work.
     

Chapter 8

    The forest fire subsided, leaving the air breathable enough for families to spend Saturday outdoors.
    I loved days like this. My usual work assignment kept me behind the scenes cleaning cages or assisting the veterinarians with routine checkups. Today, I worked in the children’s petting zoo. Watching children run along the gated area, their faces lit up with excitement, reminded me of my love for animals when I was younger.
    The petting zoo held tame animals that were free to roam during the day and housed in stalls at night. My responsibilities included keeping the troughs full of food and water, and making sure the walking areas were free of waste. The job wasn’t glamorous, but I wouldn’t trade it for a thing.
    I held my breath, scooped up a large pile of dung, and walked it across the yard to the compost pile.
    “I don’t wanna touch it!”
    “Cody, stop being a baby.”
    “I’m not a baby!”
    A little boy stood, his arms crossed and bottom lip poked out. He appeared to be at least six years old. He directed his hazel eyes at an older girl with long blond ponytails. She returned his pouty stare with a glare.
    I set my shovel down. “Hi, my name is Ebony. What’s going on?”
    “Cody’s being a scaredy cat. He won’t touch the goat,” the blue-eyed girl said.
    “I’m not a scaredy cat,” he whined. “It’s gonna bite me.”
    “See?” Cody’s sister threw her hands up in exasperation.
    I smiled warmly, keeping the laugh inside. “The goats don’t bite. I’ll show you how to touch them, okay?”
    He nodded, wiping at the corners