Page 58 of Diesel's Perseverance
“I don’t believe that they didn’t care.”
Anger pricked at his nerves. “I forgot, you’re an expert when it comes to my people. You’ve met them a handful of times and know them better than I do.” He locked his gaze on hers. “They. Don’t. Give. A. Flying. Fuck. It can’t be more simple than that.” Diesel rubbed his temples, trying to knead away the pain in his head.
“I’m just surprised, that’s all.” A few seconds passed, then she added, “But you’re right about knowing your parents better than I do. I guess family is always on better behavior in front of newcomers.”
“I guess.” He popped two more aspirin into his mouth and swallowed them dry.
“How’re you feeling?” she asked softly.
“Like shit.”
“You were an asshole last night.”
He leaned against the cushion and said, “I’m an asshole most nights. You’ve only seen the good side of me.”
“I don’t believe that. You were upset. I wish you would’ve talked to me about it instead of getting drunk and acting rude.”
“I don’t remember much of what I did last night, but I didn’t mean to be rude to you.”
“Didn’t you? It seemed like you were trying to give me a message.”
“Don’t psychoanalyze it. I was fuckin’ drunk. That’s all.”
“You made sure I knew you and that club girl have a thing going on.”
“I didn’t mean to disrespect you like that. I don’t have ‘a thing’ with Nina or Rosie or Kristy, oranyof the club girls. I’ve explained that to you before.”
“Right. It’s just sex. Okay. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. You’re a free agent, and I’m in limbo with my relationship. It’s no big deal. We’ve been thrown together because of a horrible set of circumstances.”
“Then why are you pissed at me?”
“Because you acted like a jerk, and I felt disrespected. Isn’trespecta biggie in your world, or does it just go one way?”
“Fuck, woman. I’m trying to apologize to you. And you know we’re more than just two strangers bound by a fucked-up situation. Anyway, Nina saw I was drunk and took advantage of that. She’s threatened by you.”
A dry laugh pushed through her full lips. “Okay, so you’re throwing the blame on a club girl whoyou saytook advantage of the big, bad outlaw.”
“Damn, woman, you sure can cut with your tongue. I’m owning what happened. I’m just saying I didn’t seek out Nina, that’s all. Anyway, what happened is over. You don’t want to try and understand it. I’m done.”
“Whatever.” She looked back at her phone and started swiping her fingers across the screen.
“We need to talk about San Diego.”
The screen door closed with a softthud,and Diesel saw Welder walking toward him with a beer bottle and a shot of Jack. He groaned and shook his head. “Just bring me a couple of water bottles.”
The prospect tipped his head and rushed away.
“What about San Diego?” Myla asked.
“I’m leaving the day after tomorrow. We got the rally going on, and I’m gonna try and find Freddy and the asswipe—Cano.”
“You know where Freddy is?”
“San Diego. You know this, woman. I told you Hawk traced the call there, remember?”
“Right. That’s before you got drunk and acted like a frat boy.”
“I know you want to go to SD with me,” he said, ignoring her comment. “I’m going by bike, but you can book a flight.”
