Page 70 of Existential
“I won’t hold you up long,” he says, kicking his feet up on the desk. “Gotta get home to the woman soon anyway. She’s already rancid at me for missin’ bedtime third night runnin’.”
“You’ve got kids?”
“One. Dante, my son.”
I didn’t pick him for the family type given he seems so invested in the club, but I suppose it makes sense now. “I didn’t realize; I’ve never seen them here.”
“She likes it that way.” He nods to the chair. “Shut the door and sit.”
I do as I’m told. Despite the fact he seems like a cuddly big brother most of the time, there’s a veiled anger lurking beneath the surface. I get the impression his devotion and dedication works both ways, good and bad.
“What was that out there?” He lifts a hand to gesture to the common room.
“Nothing I can’t sort out.” Liar.
“You sure?”
“I think so?”
He gives me an unimpressed flat-lipped smile. “Spill.”
“He was the one who brought me back to your southern clubhouse.”
King nods. “I’m aware.”
“He thinks I owe him something because of that.” I stare down at my hands, fidgeting with the edge of the seat cushion.
“Digits has always been a quiet one, only been with us a few years, so we don’t have much bearing on what he’s like when there’s trouble.”
I glance up at King, surprised he’s being so open with me.
“If he’s giving you hell, you let us know. Don’t worry about the fact you’re new here, don’t get it in your head we’ll side with him over you if there is somethin’ to sort out.” He drops his feet and leans forward, elbows on the desk. “We have firm rules around respectin’ boundaries and our women.”
“I don’t want to cause any trouble. You’ve all been so great to me, and to be honest, it’ll blow over after I leave.”
“Where you goin’?” he asks as though daring me to try.
“You didn’t think I’d be here forever?” I frown. “I’m not the kind to outstay my welcome.”
“Our hospitality is a lifetime deal.” He smiles. “You respect our rules, the way we live, and we’ve always got an open door.”
I just stare at the guy as he strokes his beard, tugging on the end before restarting the whole action. What do I have to offer? The way my world works, is people only offer you favors when you have something you can trade in payment.
“With all due respect, I don’t think there’s anything here for me.”
He snorts a laugh, rising out of his seat. I track him as he walks to the small window beside the door and beckons me over. I join him, standing beside King as he sticks his fingers between the closed blinds and stares out the gap for a second, before indicating where I should look.
Hooch leans over the pool table and takes a shot, smiling at his opponent as he sinks one.
“There’s your reason.”
I step back, appreciating where he’s coming from. “I know you mean well, but—”
“What? You’re not alike? He’s got too many issues?” He ducks his head to level our gazes. “You hardly know him?”
“All of that.”
“I know where he went when he left the meeting earlier.” King crosses back to his seat, dropping into it as he gestures for me to do the same. “He hasn’t actively sought out anybody to talk to since Carlos murdered his father, and sister.”