Page 33 of Switchin' Lanes

16

Tink

I wakeup and grab my phone, finding I slept for nearly an hour. With a glance around the room, I realize I’m here alone. Hollywood must have left while I was sleeping. The mere thought of him doing that hurts. I gather myself and call Diesel, attempting to fight back the tears which are threatening to fall again. His phone goes to voicemail, but I get a text soon after.

From Diesel:Hey, Pixie. I’m talkin’ to H right now. I’ll call you in a sec.

I trade my phone for the remote control, turning the TV on. If nothing more than to fill the silence. Thoughts of my brother invade my mind. Something bad must have happened in Kansas City for him to be getting into drugs again. Now, he’s in a coma because of his choices.

I’m so zoned out with my thoughts I don’t even hear the front door open and close. It’s not until they’re standing in front of me that I even know they’re here.

“Hey, Pixie.” Diesel kneels in front of me. “Can I make you something to eat?”

I shake my head as tears fall from my eyes.

“You need to eat something,” he tells me.

Hollywood sits on the couch next to me. “I’m sorry I left while you were sleepin’.”

I don’t answer him or even look at him. His hand comes to my thigh.

“Tink, please,” he begs. “I’m tryin’, babe.”

“You tell me my brother is in a coma then leave once I’m sleeping,” I grit out.

“It was an asshole move, I know. I shouldn’t have but I’m an idiot. I’m still learnin’,” he says.

“What if we order pizza?” Diesel suggests.

“And wings?” I give him a faux pout.

He laughs. “You don’t have to give me those eyes. You already know if there’s pizza, there has to be wings.”

I turn to Hollywood. “Thank you for coming back.”

He puts his arm around me and I lean into him.

“I’m not goin’ anywhere this time,” he assures me.

Diesel stands from his spot on the floor, pulling his phone out of his pocket. He stares at it for a minute, then his eyes come to us.

“Buster wants me to meet some potential recruits,” he tells us. “Will y’all be alright while I’m gone?”

“I think we can manage,” I say.

His eyes flutter between the two of us. A fire dancing in them.

“Y’all can take this time to work things out for the three of us.” Diesel smirks. He kisses my forehead. “Call if y’all need anything.”

“Will do, brother,” Hollywood says.

After the door closes, signaling that Diesel is gone, I turn my body so I’m facing Hollywood.

“Something happened between the two of you. Spill.” I grin.

His eyes go wide. “How do you know?”

“By the way Diesel was acting. There was a little more pep in his step.”