Page 96 of Shadow's Surrender
Chapter Twenty-One
“When are wegonna meet this woman who’s been occupying most of your time?” Helm asked as he took a joint out from his pocket.
“I don’t know,” Shadow grunted, leaning back in the white wicker chair.
“How do you like these big-ass cushions the club girls bought?” Bones jerked his chin toward the one behind Shadow’s back.
“They’re pretty comfortable. The print is gaudy as all hell—neon pink flamingos and huge-ass flowers? Give me a fuckin’ break.” Shadow stretched out his legs while putting his hands behind his head.
Bones chuckled. “I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks they’re fuckin’ ugly.”
“I’m not crazy ’bout them either, but there’s no damn way I’m telling the girls that.” Helm placed the joint between his lips, cupped his hand, and lit it.
“They tried, but I gotta say the cushions are comfortable. Way better than the thin ones we had before,” Shadow said.
“So are you living with this girl you’re dating?” Helm asked.
“No, we just hang out a lot,” Shadow said. A lot meant that he spent four to five nights a week, at Scarlett’s condo. He had to admit that he thought maybe they’d get sick of each other by now, but as time had gone by, he’d wanted to be with her even more. It was a totally new experience for him, but then he’d never been in love before. It was mind blowing, exhilarating, and fucking scary all mixed together, but it felt good … perfect even.
“Whatcha thinking about? Your forehead’s all scrunched up like you’re figuring out some hard calculation or some shit like that.” Bones propped a leg up on the ottoman that matched the garish cushions on the patio furniture.
“I suck at math,” Helm added, stubbing out his joint on the bottom of his shoe.
“I was just using that as an example.” Bones rolled his eyes.
“And I was just saying that numbers and I don’t mix. I can’t even begin to figure out those fuckin’ word problems about some kid having six apples, then another having ten oranges … fuck, man.”
Bones leaned forward a bit, the muscles in his face tightening. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Shadow busted out laughing. “You guys are like some damn skit on Comedy Central.”
A mask of confusion spread over Helm’s face. “You’re gonna try out for Comedy Central? I thought we were talking about the kids and the fruit and how many the other kid has. When Animal helps Lucy with that shit, it hurts my brain. Fuck.”
Bones clenched his hands into fists, then unclenched them. “I was never talking about math or apples or whatever the fuck you’re saying. That joint you smoked must’ve had a strong-as-hell strain.”
“Huh?” Helm said as he rested his head on the back of the chair and closed his eyes. His legs were crossed, and his left leg began to rock back and forth to the music from inside the clubhouse.
Bones cut his gaze to Shadow. “I don’t even remember what the fuck I was saying in the first place.”
“Something about math calculations.” A grin pulled up on his lips.
“Don’t you go starting that shit up. We finally gothimto shut the fuck up.” Bones raked his fingers through his hair. “I wonder where he got the stuff.”
“Probably from that new strain our dispensary produced. Hawk said it was kickass. I guess he was right.” Shadow chuckled. “I haven’t tried it yet.”
“Yeah, well, I was just getting ready to punch him to shut him up.” Bones reached over and grabbed a can of beer. “Shit—it’s warm as piss.” He craned his neck, attempting to look around the doorframe into the club. Then he put two fingers to his mouth and whistled. “Wendy! Get out here!”
A curvy brunette in a tight-fitting T-shirt dress sashayed toward them. Her blue eyes danced as she sized up Bones and Shadow.
“What do you boys want?” The tip of tongue slowly skimmed her top lip.
“Fuck,” Bones muttered under his breath.
“Can you bring us two cans of beer.” Shadow picked up the one Bones put back on the tabletop. “This one’s warm.”
“Sure. I don’t know how you guys can stand it out here in the heat.” She glanced up at the ceiling and pointed at the twirling fan. “That’s just moving the hot air around. I’d be melting sitting here.”
“I wouldn’t mind seeing your luscious body gleaming in sweat, sweetheart,” Bones said.
