Chapter TWENTY-THREE-KIAN

“Yo, me and Dante are gonna bounce with our women.”

Emmet saunters up to my corner seat like he didn’t just spend the last hour trying to keep his pregnant mate from hurling a saltshaker at every human woman who looked at her man.

I glance up, a genuine grin tugging at my lips.

Honestly?

I’m a little touched.

I mean, these guys didn’t have to show up tonight.

But they did.

For Arliss.

For me.

And that? That shit means something. I still have to fuck with him though.

“Bounce? Somebody’s been listening to old school rap again,” I joke.

“Fuck you. Rock the Bells Radio is the best damn channel on that satellite shit Max shells out money for every month.”

I silently disagree, being partial to country rock and eighties glam bands myself. Besides there’s no heat in my comment.

Just joviality.

“Okay, well, thanks for coming tonight. I bet Jez is feeling tired these days,” I say, lifting my beer in acknowledgment.