day in the water. Talked to Old Joe for a bit, really cleared my head about a few things.”
“What things?”
“Stupid stuff. You know, getting older, becoming a dad, doing this gig. How life might have gone if Angel Fire never took off.”
“Funny.”
“How’s that?”
“Ash was talking about the same thing earlier.”
“He was?”
“Well, it was more about how Bash and Angel bang heads. He mentioned how Bash would’ve willingly given it all up to be there to raise his daughter.”
“I can definitely see that. Angel was definitely a surprise, and he’s been trying too hard to make up for not being there back then when he should’ve just tried to be there for her now. Girl lost her mom to a horrible disease. Then she loses all her friends, her school, and her home. That’s a lot to handle at seventeen. She needed Bash to be a friend, or at least a comforting presence, instead of a guy she doesn’t know trying to step up to be her dad. I’m surprised they’re both still standing, to be honest.”
“Tell me about it. Why do you think I give her a wide berth?”
Noodles gives me the side-eyes, but doesn’t say anything for a bit. “At least the chick brigade stepped up.”
“How so?”
“Take today, for instance.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Well, Skye and Mitzy booked time at a spa. They didn’t have to take Angel, but they included her. Made it a girls’ day out. Angel needs that kind of shit.”
“What kind?”
“Feeling like she’s a part of something more than herself. She and Bash knock heads, but at least the chicks stepped in to make her feel like a part of the family. As crazy as our family is, it’s hard when you lose the only family you have, harder still when you’re brought to live with another family and made to feel like an outsider. You keeping your distance may not be the best thing.”
“Come again?”
“Angel needs to feel included. You always leave the room first chance you get when she’s around. It’s more than obvious you can’t stand her.”
“It’s not that I can’t stand her.” If I tell Noodles the truth, he’ll be third in line, behind Bash and Forest, to castrate me. Hell, they’ll have to take numbers. Noodles is all about going with the flow and not messing up the balance. He won’t forgive this.
For now, I’ll go with his version of things. It’s much more palatable than the truth. The reason I always left a room was because if I didn’t, my thoughts would drift. I’d think of inappropriate things. Or I would stare at Angel, enraptured by her angelic face.
Either way, there was no way I was going to get caught sporting a woody for Bash’s daughter. I’d rather everyone think me hostile toward Angel than the alternative.
At least now I know where Angel is and that she’s not actively avoiding me. Things got a little tense down on the beach and absolutely blazing hot in the gondola. And to think that was just a kiss.
“I was wondering why it was so quiet.” I cross my ankles and continue staring at the night sky. With the sun well below the horizon, stars begin to pepper the night sky. A warm breeze blows off the ocean, and all in all, it looks to be another amazing summer night. “Guess it’s just you and me for the night.”
“The girls will be back soon.” He lifts his phone and shakes it. “Mitzy texted when they left Santa Monica. Should be back in a few minutes. More than enough time for you to disappear.”
“It’s such a nice night.” I say it as if I’m reluctant to leave. Instead, electricity skates along my nerves, the sizzling energy revs me up with the knowledge Angel will be here soon.
“They’re meeting me out here for drinks. If you stay, Angel will be here. If you’re going to ditch, might be better to do that before they get here.”
“I don’t hate the girl.” That’s a truth I can speak.
“No, but you sure make yourself scarce when she’s around.”
“Well, I didn’t think it was that obvious, and now that you mention how important it is for her to feel included, I feel like a royal ass.”
“Whatever.”
“I can tolerate the girl.” I lean up and put my feet down on the ground. I do that because thinking about being around Angel sends blood racing to my cock. I’m so fucking screwed. “You know what? I’m going to go for