Page 38 of Hate the Game (Playing Dirty #1)

***Savannah***

Iraised my eyebrows at the guy who’d just asked me if I wanted to suck his dick or sit on his face first. Self-preservation?

I didn’t know her. Not making a scene? Never heard of him.

I did know hangry and that was where I was leaning.

When neither of them answered my question about kissing their moms, I shook my head and carried on.

“I’m just trying to get my food. I’m hungry and the test taco I just ate was so damn good that my mouth is watering.

So, just a warning, if you put anything near or in my mouth that isn’t a fucking taco, I’ll bite it off and spit on the stub.

Now, thank you for the offer. I’m sure you’re both lovely and that there are plenty of other women willing to sit on your faces, but I’m here for one thing and one thing only.

Tacos. Have you tried them? If you’re nice and you apologize, I’ll share. ”

They stared back at me with stupefied expressions and when their eyes shifted over my shoulder I knew Cole was there, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. I ignored just how comfortable and normal it felt.

“You heard the lady.” Cole’s voice was dangerous, a threat clear from the tone.

The one who’d spoken up about me sitting on his face gathered himself and called me a bitch before storming off. His buddy spit on the ground between us and followed him.

I felt Cole stiffen and move like he was going to go after them so I grabbed his arms that were still wrapped around me and laughed to let him know I was fine. “Relax, Cole. I’m good.”

“They were disrespectful.”

“Yeah? And?” I rolled my eyes. “If I fell apart every time a man was disrespectful to me, I’d be a pile of rubble. Hell, if you’re going to come in with your cape and big hammer, or whatever shit superheroes carry these days, you’re going to have to hit yourself over the head, too.”

He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “Savannah…”

I turned in his arms and rolled my eyes. “I’m made of tougher stuff than that, Cole. If you don’t feed me soon I will lose my mind, though.”

He searched my face and swallowed before stepping away from me and motioning for me to go ahead. I kissed his cheek before meeting Antonio at the front of the truck. He had a bag full of food and he’d pulled a small styrofoam chest from somewhere and it was full, too.

“For later. I can’t send you home with nothing, bonita. Now give me a hug and go eat before you hurt someone.” Antonio grunted when I hugged him tight. “Come back and see me.”

I took the bag from him and Cole took the chest. “If Cole won’t bring me back, I’ll crawl back on my hands and knees if I need to. That taco was delicious. Best taco I’ve ever had.”

“I’ll bring her back, Antonio. Thanks for dinner. I’ll have to save something for Jax and Ryder or they’ll lose their shit.”

After we said our goodbyes Cole led me back to the truck.

I wanted to dig right in but he wouldn’t let me.

He told me to wait because he had somewhere he wanted us to park and eat.

It wasn’t easy. When he parked just a few minutes away in front of a massive mural I was glad he’d made me wait.

He backed into the spot and we settled on the tailgate to eat.

“This is beautiful.” I smiled at the mural of the beautiful woman smiling down at her little boy. “I’ve noticed all the murals around here. It’s amazing. There’s so much beauty here. And you grew up right here in the middle of it all?”

His face twisted as he stared up at the mural. “I did grow up right here. Just a street over in the attic apartment of a row house. It’s a lot nicer here now. Less gangs and shit. Back then it wasn’t always so nice.”

I swallowed the food I’d shoved into my mouth and wiped my mouth on the back of my hand. When he handed me a napkin, I blushed but pretended it hadn’t happened. “Did you grow up with both of your parents?”

He laughed. “Not even a little bit. My mom met who she called a pretty white boy at a football game. They spent a few days together and here I am. He disappeared, though. Guess he couldn’t handle a bastard kid from the wrong side of the tracks.”

I put my food down and scooted closer to him. “What a fucking asshole.”

“Yeah, he was. A fucking asshole that I look a lot like, apparently. When I filled out my college applications and checked that I was Latino I had a few counselors call me and I could tell they were fishing to see if it was true.”

I reached up and touched one of his curls. “I guess even an asshole can create a pretty kid, huh?”

The smile he flashed me was devastating. Then it dimmed and he looked away. “What about you?”

I snorted. “I’m also proof an asshole can create a cute kid.”

He looked surprised. “Really?”

“Yeah. My mom ditched us when we were little. Turned out she appreciated the idea of kids but the reality wasn’t nearly as cute.

And then there’s my dad…” I ran my hands down my thighs and stared up at the mural.

“He’s an asshole. One of those dads who wanted a house full of boys.

He got three and shot for one more and boom.

Here comes me with a vagina. So not only was I a chubby kid who grew into a full-figured woman, nothing at all like the women he was comfortable with, I couldn’t impress him with sports like my brothers could. ”

“I’ve been wondering this whole time about the vagina. Good to know.”

I laughed and leaned into Cole. “Were you close with your mom?”

“Yeah. It wasn’t always easy, though.” He leaned back against the truck bed and opened his arms for me to lean against his chest. Once I settled against him he wrapped his arms around me and rested them on my stomach. “She was an addict.”

I sat up and twisted to face him. “This is all off the record, Cole. Just to be clear. I would never-”

He pulled me back where I was. “Good to know.”

“Can you tell me about her?” I covered his hands with mine. “Is she around now?”

“Yeah. She’s never too far off. She’s sober now, has been for a few years. Even when she was sick when I was younger, though, I still felt like I could feel her everywhere I was. She’s an artist.”

I looked at the painting of the little boy closer and twisted around to face him again. “This? She did this?!”

He nodded and tugged me back again. “I’ll show you a few more if you want. She’s talented.”

I rested my head on his shoulder and shivered when he turned his face and kissed the side of my head. “I’d love to see them. She’s good, Cole. Better than good. Good enough to distract me from my tacos.”

“Was your dad ever mean?” He felt me stiffen and cleared his throat. “Forget I asked.”

I turned sideways in his lap and looped my arms around his neck.

“Honestly… He was mean to my brothers. He was demanding and it never seemed to end. He just…didn’t even see me.

Unless I caused trouble. Then he’d come raging in, acting like I was suddenly a part of his family.

Not my brothers, though. They made up for both of my parents.

They’re the best. They raised me pretty much.

Taught me everything I needed to know, helped with school, and even fought boys away.

They can drive me crazy but I’d do anything for them. Anything.”