“It’s a long story,” I told them.
“Girl,” I heard from behind me and I turned around, my eyes hit a faded black t-shirt and the edges of a black leather vest. I looked up and saw Duke standing behind me.
Uh-oh.
I didn’t know that Duke was even there much less that he was listening in.
“Hi,” I said.
He didn’t return my greeting.
Instead he said, “You were a virgin right?”
Shit!
Why did everyone know I was a virgin?
I didn’t answer, I just stared.
“Those boys aren’t stupid. They know who you are, what you are and a lot more of how a woman’s mind works than you’d like them to know.”
This gave me pause for reflection because I had more than a small suspicion that Vance had my number.
My reflecting didn’t last long, Duke kept talking. “They don’t f**k around because they see a lot of shit in their line of business. They know the risks they take and they know the danger. They don’t have time to pu**yfoot around and process emotions. They see what they want, they get it. The end.”
Oh my God.
I kept silent and kept staring, I couldn’t help myself.
Duke went on. “He knows you were a virgin. It’s impossible to be a clueless virgin one day and a tease the next or at least what I seen of you, it’s impossible for you.”
I hadn’t agreed that I was a clueless virgin.
I didn’t have time to squabble, Duke was on a roll. “Vance knows that. If he’s havin’ dinner with you and he wants you in his bed, you got nothin’ to worry about. And if Luke knows you’re with Vance and he wants you ride-along, you got nothin’ to worry about with him either. Yoko Ono my ass.”
Well, there you go.
Duke’s eyes turned to May. “When Luke’s ready, mark my words, he’ll get his own f**kin’ woman and God save us all.”
Then he stomped away. Everyone watched him go.
Finally Stevie said, “Guess the powwow is over.”
“Yeah, well, Duke has a way,” Roxie mumbled.
“I’ll say,” May put in.
“Anyone want coffee?” Tex boomed. “If not, I’m shuttin’ her down for the night.”
“I have to get home. Lee’s taking me to Barolo Grill tonight,” Indy said, standing.
“Oh, sorry. I forgot to tell you, Eddie called. Lee and him have something on tonight. I told him to tell Lee I’d tell you,” Jet explained.
“You’re shitting me.” For some reason, Indy looked ready to blow. I suspected she really (really) liked Barolo Grill.
Ally laughed.
“You and Lee and Barolo Grill… not… gonna… happen,” Ally told Indy.