don’t know if I would call what happened fun,” I reply in a dry tone. “More like traumatizing.”
In fact, I’ve been trying to block it out. I’ve never seen anyone die before, and I think I’m just in denial about the whole thing.
Dee ducks his head. “I meant the whole ‘Temper going on a date for the first time since I’ve known him’ thing.”
“Oh,” I reply, wincing. He hands me a beer, and I accept it. We clink them together just as Temper sits down on my other side.
“Izzy has to work tomorrow, so I’m going to take you to L.A. to explore the city,” he says, lifting his glass to his lips. “So if there’s anything in particular you want to do or see, let me know.”
“Is there no one else who can take me?” I ask, scratching the label off the beer bottle. “What’s Crow doing?”
“He’s busy.” Temper scowls, jaw going tight.
“Renny?”
“Also busy,” he fires back.
“Chains?” I ask, wrinkling my nose, because truth be told, I can’t imagine him being good company.
“Really?” he replies, eyes narrowing. “I’m taking you, and that’s that.”
“Fine. I’ll do a little research and see what else L.A. has to offer,” I grumble. I know there’s plenty of eateries I’ve been wanting to try, so I should slowly tick them off my list. When I get back home, who knows when I’m going to be able to leave again?
“Good,” he replies, studying me. “When are you going to forgive me?”
“I don’t know, what’s the going time to hold a grudge on kidnapping?” I ask, arching my brow. “Probably twenty-five to life.”
The same sentence he would probably get if I went to the police.
Okay, I’m exaggerating, but still.
Temper surprises me by laughing. “Fuckin’ hell, what am I going to do with you?”
“Food is here!” Crow calls out, hands full of bags full of containers. Skylar helps him set it all out, and we all grab some plates and cutlery and dig in. Trade pretends to steal Izzy’s prawn crackers, so she throws one at him.
Watching all of them interact, it’s clear to see that they are really just one big, happy family, and somehow they just make it work. I can see how much they all care for each other, and Temper wanting to protect Renny is understandable. I feel like they’d always have each other’s backs no matter what the other did, and no matter how bad it was.
I guess murdering someone would top that list.
“I love honey chicken,” I say and chew one of the delicious round balls. “This food seriously beats our Chinese restaurant back home.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Izzy says, eyes bright. “There’s so many places you need to go to before you leave. Especially because you’re a foodie. The options are endless.”
Excitement fills me. “Temper said he’s taking me around tomorrow because you’re working, so tell me where you think I should go for lunch.”
“I’m working?” she replies, sounding confused, then looks over at Temper before bringing her gaze back to me. “Oh yeah. I have some work to do tomorrow.”
“What do you do for work?” I ask, realizing that I have no idea.
“I’m a graphic designer,” she explains. “And I work for myself, so it’s super flexible. Temper said that you work in your family’s bar back home?”
“Yeah, Franks.” I nod. “I was in college, but I had to put it on hold to help my mom with the bar and restaurant. It’s just me, her and my little sister.”
“Franks? Why does that sound familiar?” I can tell she’s giving that deep thought. “Oh my God, is it on the way home from Vegas? Pictures all around so it sort of feels like you’re in someone’s house?”
I turn red. Mom’s décor strikes again. “Yup, that’s us. You’ve stopped in before?”
She nodded. “Yeah, actually, when I first officially met Renny we did a road trip to Vegas together, and we stopped into there. Cute place. I remember the food being good.”