To Die For - Davidson King Page 0,37

invisible?” I lifted a brow.

“He can still become a frozen invisicycle.”

“And for my next observation, don’t become a schoolteacher, for your use of the English language is filled with make-believe words and nonsense.” This time I pushed her out of the way.

“What if you have to carry something on your date?” Frances followed me all the way down the stairs, where Maria was reading a book in the living room and Ma was knitting.

“Leave your brother alone, Fran,” Ma said with a smile.

“He’s taking his bike.” She totally ratted me out. Ma hated my motorcycle, and I knew she was going to tell me to take my truck.

“Max, darling,” Ma started, and I gave Frances a glare as she smugly plopped on the couch.

“Yeah, Ma?”

“Let’s not kill this one, okay. He’s charming. Please take your truck.”

Fucking Frances and her big mouth. “Fine.”

“That’s my good son.”

I lived with a bunch of meddling and manipulative women. “I’m leaving now,” I said as I grabbed my keys off the hook.

“Have fun,” all three said in unison.

Vipers.

I pulled up to the curb of Sparkles’s studio and hopped out of my truck. When I opened the studio door, I came face-to-face with Nolan. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect but was pleasantly surprised when he smiled.

“Hello, Max.”

“Nolan.”

I didn’t see Sparkles, but I knew he had to be here somewhere. I was about to ask Nolan if he could tell him I was here when he spoke.

“Lane’s in his office. You can see him.”

I had a feeling the sudden change of attitude had everything to do with the situation at the club. I could be an asshole and say something, but I’d rather just bask in the niceness that was Nolan and hope it lasted.

I made my way to the back and lightly knocked on the door. “Come in,” I heard Sparkles say.

“Hey, Nolan said I could come—” I stood frozen as I took in Sparkles. His hair was brighter pink than usual, like he’d freshly dyed it. He had kohl around his eyes with an almost angelic white glitter on the lids. His cheeks glowed, and there was a simple clear gloss on his plush lips. He was wearing black tight pants and a silver top. It was a bold outfit for anyone else but for Sparkles, it was elegant and subtle.

“Nolan’s giving permission when you can come now?”

His comment shook me out of my gawking. “No, sorry, I just…you look amazing.”

He picked up Tank from his doggie bed and came over to me. “You look good yourself.”

I was just wearing jeans, a red T-shirt, and my motorcycle jacket, but the way he said it, I knew he meant it.

“Thanks.” I scratched under Tank’s little chin. “Is he coming with us?” If he said yes, then I was really glad I took the truck. I also was going to have to think of somewhere else to go on our date.

“No. Nolan is dog-sitting for me. He has my key and will take him to my place and hang there until I get home. Seth works overnight tonight, and he hates being at his place alone without him. I live in a safer building.”

I nodded and followed Sparkles out. He handed Tank over to Nolan, we said our good-byes, and Sparkles and I left.

“I gotta say, I miss the bike,” he said once I started up my truck.

“Don’t get me started. I was going to bring it, but I got cornered by the Viper Squad.” I pulled out onto the road in the direction of the bistro I’d chosen for our date.

“Viper Squad?”

“Ma and Frances. Maria was there, but she was at least quiet. But she stared at me. You know?”

Sparkles chuckled. “Stared?”

“Yeah, like she was silently ninja chopping my mind with her opinions.”

Sparkles laughed so loud, I almost jerked the wheel. “It’s not funny. I’m the only man there. I’m defenseless. At least when my brother-in-law is there, I have some backup.”

“Who is your brother-in-law?” Sparkles asked, and I spent the rest of the drive telling Sparkles all about Barney and Teresa and my nephew and niece. He didn’t ask about my dad, and I was sort of glad about that. I wasn’t ready to talk about him with anyone, really.

“Brighton Bistro?” Sparkles said as we stepped out. “I’ve actually never been here.”

“Yeah, it’s fairly new. A buddy of mine opened it, and I kept promising I’d come in. You gave me the perfect opportunity.” I held the door to the place open, and