Page 56 of Creed

“Man, you’re going for the jugular.”

She didn’t respond.

She just stood there eyeballing me as she waited for my answer. “Let’s just say it was complicated.”

“Nana said you broke Mom’s heart.”

“I bet your Nana said lots of things.”

“Yeah. She said she didn’t like you.”

“Maybe I can change her mind.”

Again, no response.

I glanced over at Devin, and it was clear from the fat grin on her face that she was amused by the conversation and had no intention of helping me out. So, I did the only thing a man in my position could do. I told her, “Your nana might not know it, but that heartbreak went both ways.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s just say that we complicated things that didn’t have to be complicated.”

I glanced back over at Devin, and her smile was all but gone. She reached over and placed her hand on Chrissy’s shoulder. “Okay. Let’s give Jameson a break here. We don’t want to run him off just yet.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You can ask me anything you want.”

Devin leaned towards Chrissy as she told her, “We’re about to go. Austin will order the pizza in a little while. You guys stay inside and keep the doors locked. And call me if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

Chrissy looked up at me, and I could see the apprehension in her eyes as she turned and started back down the hall. Once her bedroom door closed, Devin turned her attention back to me. “Sorry about that.”

“Nothing to be sorry about. They’ll warm up to me.”

“You think?”

“Why wouldn’t they? I’m a cool dude.”

“Cool dude? Really?” She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“What?”

“Just trust me on this. Those kids will eat you alive if they hear you say you’re a cool dude.”

“Now, you’re scaring me.”

“Welcome to my world.” She gave me a wink. “Ready?”

“Absolutely.”

I let my hand slide down her arm before lacing my fingers with hers and leading her out to the truck. I helped her inside, and in a matter of minutes, we were on our way. I’d barely gotten out of her subdivision when Devin asked, “So, who’s going to be there tonight?”

“Hard to say. Some of the guys have a shift at either the Vault or the casino, but I know Preacher and Tabitha will be there. Grim and Jenna, and maybe Blade and Shep.”

“Okay. That doesn’t sound too bad.”

“Bad?” I shot her a look. “You expecting things to go south here?”