Page 128 of All That Glitters

“Remind me again why I got roped into this?” G complains, following me into the apartment next to Legs’s.

“One, because your old lady is still at my place, so I know you’re at a loose end.”

“Yes, because it’s not like I have a job to do or anything. I just sit in my room and pine for my woman,” he drawls.

“The first step to recovery is admitting it. Two, you have an eye for detail. I wanna get your take on these.” I flip the switch and flood the room with light.

He tenses, taking in the wall of photos before stepping forward to study them. I leave him to it and move around the apartment, double-checking I didn’t leave anything behind. I give the place another wipe-down to be on the safe side. I rummage through one of the kitchen drawers, collecting a few pieces of mail that G can use to find out more about the former guy, and shove them into my pocket. I get an idea. I search theguy’s bedroom until I find a bag and begin shoving shit in there haphazardly, making it look like the guy ran in a hurry. I sling the bag over my back and head back to the living room.

“See anything interesting? I didn’t really get to study it before.”

He pulls out his cell phone and snaps away a dozen pictures before he puts it away.

“Not sure. I’ll look at it more when we get back. Much as I’m loath to leave this here, if the cops come back and find it missing, they might have questions.”

I stare at the photos of Legs and shake my head. I reach forward and rip them from the walls. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

He grunts but helps tear the photos down as I shove them into the bag I’m carrying. Once we’re done, I look around and figure this is as good as it’s going to get.

“Let’s get out of here. It would be just our luck if this asshole decides to come back.” I should have agreed with him. My silence has him turning slowly to look at me. “Tell me you didn’t?”

“He assaulted her. He made it clear he would have her with or without consent. Tell me, G, what would you do if someone threatened to rape your woman?”

He steps up to me. “I’d have told my brothers so they could have had my back. One day, you’ll make a mistake, and it will cost you everything. All because you refuse to fully let us in.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? Of course, I let you in. You’re my brothers.”

“We know what you want us to know. You make sure to keep a very clear division between what we can ask and what you can answer. Hell, Hannibal was an open book compared to you.”

“Not all of us have a history full of sunshine and flowers, G. I don’t particularly feel like holding your hand and skipping down memory lane.”

“You are not the only one with a fucked-up past, but I’m getting tired of watching you fuck up the future if you don’t let shit go.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Because you won’t tell me. And that’s fine, Midas. But tell someone. Do fucking something about your demons before they eat you alive. Or worse, turn on Legs once more.”

I snap my mouth shut at that, my chest heaving as his words hit their intended mark.

“I’m planning on talking to Legs. She needs to know everything,” I tell him quietly, feeling my skin crawl as memories start to encroach.

“Good. I suppose if anyone can get you to figure your shit out, it’s her. You just have to let her.”

“Don’t you think I’m trying?” I snap, frustrated.

“Try harder. You have everything to fight for, Midas, but that also means you have everything to lose. If you ever wanna spill shit you don’t want Legs to carry, I’ll listen, and I sure as shit won’t judge. You wanna pummel the fuck out of each other in the ring, I’m down with that too. But you’ve got to be the one to reach out.”

I nod sharply. “Thanks.”

“We’re brothers.” Is his simple answer before he walks toward the door. I follow behind him and lock the door, pocketing the key before we head down to our bikes.

“I wonder if the landlord lives here, too. Legs says she has been dealing with him through email, so I have no idea.”

“I’ll have a look. I swear the list of shit you need is getting longer by the day. I might just start charging you.” he jokes before shoving his helmet on. I grin because it feels likesomething has shifted between us. G’s been the most vocal about how pissed at me he was for how things went down with Legs. Maybe he can see that I’m trying to make it right. And if he can, maybe Legs can too.

When we make it back, I climb off my bike as Amity and the girls walk out.

“Hey babe, can you carry that bag for me?” G nods to the one on my back.