Read Online My Number One: Kasha & Knox by Janice Ross - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Janice Ross
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bastards.”
I shrugged like before. A series of unspoken words dangled between us. No doubt Rory was there. Right. There. With. Me.
“You screwed up on your own. Don’t get pissed off with me.”
“Don’t,” I shouted out. My eyes remained straight ahead, while I continued along with wide strides. Several other walkers avoided me as others paused in anticipation. Not only had I claimed attention with my words, the sun embraced me. I was so damn pissed that I didn’t know how to control myself. This shit wasn’t supposed to happen to me. Rory maybe, but not me. Now here I was, by my own doing, at the center of drama. Each second only multiplied. I became the center of life, the heartbeat for all. The simple word I’d shot carried a level of pain that only Rory, Bash and I could understand.
For once, Rory didn’t pressure me. With the exception of a brief nod, Rory fell in line behind me. Knox knew that he’d get hell for the outburst, but Rory knew better than to test him, especially with having just come out of the precinct.
“Where’s my Camaro?” I asked, picturing the jacked-up windows with glass laid all inside of my ride.
“They were gonna put it in the pound, but I got Rhys to take it.”
I waited for more because surely, Rory wouldn’t have some random guy up and take off with my car, right? When I didn’t hear anything more, I stopped walking. “Who the hell is Rhys?”
“He’s good people. His father owns a business in Manhattan—”
“And why in the hell does he have my ride?”
“Oh, seriously, were you planning to drive back to Delaware with a busted-up ride? I’m sorry, forgive me for looking out.” He shoved at my shoulder.
“If this guy is someone important, then how’d he end up with you for a friend?” I scratched at the side of my head. My friendships had purpose. I couldn’t think of anyone I associated with who were simply not good for a damn thing.
“So, this girl?”
“Aw man—”
“I saw you step out of the bar with a broad. Next thing I hear you’re kicking some guy’s ass—actually two. Dudes come at you for two reason: their money and their chick.”
“I got locked up over this. And that damn girl.”
“You hit it?”
“I’m not you,” I teased.
“You’re damn right, and don’t ever forget it . ” Rory taps my shoulder. “Why didn’t you let me know what was going on? They nearly trashed your ride.”
“Man, I don’t wanna hear anything else about that. But this Rhys, what kind of business are you in, Rory?” Sometimes I had to wonder if he honestly thought things through.
“I’m into the business of securing my future. My dad had everything in the world, but lost it like that.” He snapped two fingers together.
I walked off, pressing both palms on top of my head. After several seconds I walked back and continued, “Damn man, how old are you anyway? When does the bullshit end?”
“Look man, I don’t need to explain myself to you of all people. Nobody said hey, let’s give Rory a chance at a better life so he doesn’t have to stumble upon it the way we did. Nope. I’ve had to do what I needed to survive.”
“I’m only saying—”
“Hell no, you don’t get the chance to pass judgment on me. Your ass is a part of this too, Knox. The money, that shit won’t last, not dirty money. Some of us still gotta fight and do some grimy shit to survive.”
“I’m not trying to judge—”
“Then don’t, because my judgment is yours too!” Now it was Rory’s turn to walk off. His boots crashed onto the concrete stairway. He moved through the crowds in beast-like resolve, dodging professional men and women.
In hot pursuit, I eventually caught up as Rory reached the other sidewalk. “Fine! I don’t mean to judge you. C’mon, let’s talk. You can tell me about this whole business.” Though it wasn’t what I wanted, Rory was practically my brother. If there were dealings that could potentially affect him, we needed
I shrugged like before. A series of unspoken words dangled between us. No doubt Rory was there. Right. There. With. Me.
“You screwed up on your own. Don’t get pissed off with me.”
“Don’t,” I shouted out. My eyes remained straight ahead, while I continued along with wide strides. Several other walkers avoided me as others paused in anticipation. Not only had I claimed attention with my words, the sun embraced me. I was so damn pissed that I didn’t know how to control myself. This shit wasn’t supposed to happen to me. Rory maybe, but not me. Now here I was, by my own doing, at the center of drama. Each second only multiplied. I became the center of life, the heartbeat for all. The simple word I’d shot carried a level of pain that only Rory, Bash and I could understand.
For once, Rory didn’t pressure me. With the exception of a brief nod, Rory fell in line behind me. Knox knew that he’d get hell for the outburst, but Rory knew better than to test him, especially with having just come out of the precinct.
“Where’s my Camaro?” I asked, picturing the jacked-up windows with glass laid all inside of my ride.
“They were gonna put it in the pound, but I got Rhys to take it.”
I waited for more because surely, Rory wouldn’t have some random guy up and take off with my car, right? When I didn’t hear anything more, I stopped walking. “Who the hell is Rhys?”
“He’s good people. His father owns a business in Manhattan—”
“And why in the hell does he have my ride?”
“Oh, seriously, were you planning to drive back to Delaware with a busted-up ride? I’m sorry, forgive me for looking out.” He shoved at my shoulder.
“If this guy is someone important, then how’d he end up with you for a friend?” I scratched at the side of my head. My friendships had purpose. I couldn’t think of anyone I associated with who were simply not good for a damn thing.
“So, this girl?”
“Aw man—”
“I saw you step out of the bar with a broad. Next thing I hear you’re kicking some guy’s ass—actually two. Dudes come at you for two reason: their money and their chick.”
“I got locked up over this. And that damn girl.”
“You hit it?”
“I’m not you,” I teased.
“You’re damn right, and don’t ever forget it . ” Rory taps my shoulder. “Why didn’t you let me know what was going on? They nearly trashed your ride.”
“Man, I don’t wanna hear anything else about that. But this Rhys, what kind of business are you in, Rory?” Sometimes I had to wonder if he honestly thought things through.
“I’m into the business of securing my future. My dad had everything in the world, but lost it like that.” He snapped two fingers together.
I walked off, pressing both palms on top of my head. After several seconds I walked back and continued, “Damn man, how old are you anyway? When does the bullshit end?”
“Look man, I don’t need to explain myself to you of all people. Nobody said hey, let’s give Rory a chance at a better life so he doesn’t have to stumble upon it the way we did. Nope. I’ve had to do what I needed to survive.”
“I’m only saying—”
“Hell no, you don’t get the chance to pass judgment on me. Your ass is a part of this too, Knox. The money, that shit won’t last, not dirty money. Some of us still gotta fight and do some grimy shit to survive.”
“I’m not trying to judge—”
“Then don’t, because my judgment is yours too!” Now it was Rory’s turn to walk off. His boots crashed onto the concrete stairway. He moved through the crowds in beast-like resolve, dodging professional men and women.
In hot pursuit, I eventually caught up as Rory reached the other sidewalk. “Fine! I don’t mean to judge you. C’mon, let’s talk. You can tell me about this whole business.” Though it wasn’t what I wanted, Rory was practically my brother. If there were dealings that could potentially affect him, we needed
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