Chapter 71: Teetering

I bout jolted out of my skin and my heart bolted off of my tongue when I suddenly ended up in Julian’s arms. “Fucking hell, Julian, don’t call me that here!” I pushed out of his embrace before marching my way to the garage. “Let’s go. I need some fucking air.”

*Dwelling on that shit won’t solve anything. Grace is fucking off. That’s all that matters.*

Julian didn’t question me as he followed after me into the garage. He brushed some of my curly locks behind my ear with that intense, affectionate stare as if he were looking at a masterpiece in an art gallery. I turned my head away from him awkwardly as I felt another blushing warm my cheeks and the fluttering feeling return to my chest.

*Fuck me, man…*

Through the overstimulating mess around me, watching the wealthy mansions slowly turn into abandoned shops, graffitied buildings, and herds of homeless people made me feel more at home. Julian reached over and grasped my small hand into his. My emotions must’ve been reflected in my expression but I still allowed him to hold my hand. My skinny fingers slowly hooked around his in my own little form of affection and his palm quickly became sweaty. I couldn’t resist a humored grin. I didn’t even have to look at him to tell him that he was blushing.

*Heh. He gets worked up far too easily.*

I stiffened up when I realized that Julian was taking the road that led to Amy’s apartment. “Whoa, whoa– hold on. We can’t just barge into her place!”

“That’s strange.” he pointed out instead of questioning me though his gaze still showed perplexion as he looked me up and down. “Of all people, Amy would be excited for you to walk in unannounced.”

*You observant fucker…*

It felt as if of late he had become more and more keen on my relationships with other people. And he was right, Amy would’ve been happy whether or not I announced my arrival. It would’ve been the perfect lie for anybody else but Julian was far too clever for my cheap fibs. “I’ve given her enough trouble and I want to see my bo– I mean, friends downtown. Do you mind taking me there?” I huffed with a jealous frown when I recalled the last time they met Julian. “I’m sure they’d be off their rockers just to see you again.”

My truth twisted on top of the lie was thankfully enough to throw Julian off of my trail of dishonesty. I had forgotten how familiar Julian had become with me, reading me like an open book. And because of that, I’m sure that he’s well aware that I am a notorious liar.

His smile showed a hint of satisfaction but he said nothing more as his thumb gently brushed my knuckles and he took a different road to where I wanted to go. I don’t know why but it didn’t exactly leave a pleasant feeling in my gut.

*I’m gonna fucking regret this. I just know it. I’m fucked 7 days till Sunday. Fuck.*

I was surprised by how well Julian navigated the cracked streets and signless roads. The concrete hadn’t been taken care of and the lines that divided the road were almost completely faded but he still drove through like an expert when he had only been here once. I think.

We came to a stop behind a building that belonged to my gang’s territory. The first thing I smell when stepping out of Julian’s clean car is the scent of car exhaust and chemicals from filthy air. Anybody from the east-side would’ve puked but it smelt like heaven to me.

*Fuck, it’s good to be back.*

I made my way back to the abandoned parking lot that still had the same handful of barrels lit with tall flames. From an outsider’s point of view, it’d be hard to imagine that I lived five years here.

“Ms. Sukia Arlee,” one of the many men approached me and we had our little bro hug that I was more accustomed to. “It’s always a pleasure to see your pretty face around here. We’ve missed ya.” the bald man looked over to Julian and eyed him suspiciously. Julian’s brand new clothes definitely screamed that he came from the east-side compared to everybody else here who were dirty, ripped-up clothes. The cleanest-looking clothes looked like they came from a cheap thrift shop. “Who’s your friend?”

“This? Ah…” I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly as I tried to think of an answer. *Fuck me. I might as well start speaking truthfully.* That’s the whole reason I started this relationship in the first place, right? “This is my man.”

My old gangmate looked rather surprised when he looked back and forth between us. “I’ll be damned. Anyways, your friends are out back.”

“Thanks, Mate.” I take the lead through the crowded parking lot. Everyone here called my name in greeting or tipped their head in respect. I earned it through grit, blood, and a little insanity.

Julian took closer steps to my side as he spoke with a tease. “Your *man*, huh?”

“Just shut the fuck up and keep your head down. You’re an outsider here and your pretty boy ass will get shanked and robbed in a heartbeat if you weren’t at my side.” my warning may have sounded drastic from my grouchy grumble but when you looked around the parking lot you could see other cutthroats eyeing the ashy blonde man down with eager greed.

“Note taken.” he reached over and wrapped his arm around my waist, the bold move made the watchers’ jaws drop and my cheeks light up like Christmas lights.

“You ass–”

“SuSu!” I heard Mason’s deep voice call out to me and a smile instantly lit up my face.

“Mason!” I ran over to him and saw Jack and Alex stand up off of their bench next to a barrel fire the moment they heard my voice. Instead of giving them the bro hug, it was a real hug that showed I missed the older men. The hug that Jack gave me was a warm embrace as he pressed his cheek against mine.

“Aww, did somebody miss a certain lil lady?” Alex teased him and Mason laughed.

I on the other hand began to sweat awkwardly and tapped Jack’s back to grab his attention. I didn’t want to shove him off but I couldn’t exactly let this continue in front of a certain pair of eyes. “Ahem…”

As soon as Jack noticed Julian he immediately released me and took several steps back. I don’t know if he forgot about Julian’s existence or what but he definitely looked startled to see him there. “Oh! Uh, l– long time no see, huh, Julian?” his tone sounded a little flustered. Even Jack had enough common sense to know better than not to show too much affection to another man’s woman.

Alex warily looked between Jack and Julian as if he were expecting a fight to break out. Most do out on these streets when it comes to this type of territory. But thankfully for Jack, Julian just gave that charming grin of his as if he saw nothing wrong. “It’s nice to see you again too, Jack. How’ve you been?”

The other three men relaxed when Julian showed no ill will but I sure in hell did not. The flawless actor may have played them like puppets but I’ve seen that blue fire deep in his eyes too many times to know what he’s feeling.

*Oh, shit. He’s fucking mad as hell.*

Jack relaxed and even looked happy to see Julian when my ‘boyfriend’ showed him his friendly side. “My car has been acting up but other than that all’s been well. How about you?”

Julian took me by surprise when his arm swiftly hooked around my waist, that same smile playing on his lips the whole time. “We’ve been thinking about tying the knot.”

Mason choked on his cigarette while Alex’s eyes got so big that they almost fell from their sockets just from the sheer shock. As for Jack, he looked more struck than surprised.

And then there was me–choking on my own saliva. “Ha! Yeah– yeah, he means getting my tubes tied. Right, Julian?” I spoke through my teeth as I forced my smile while looking up at him.

The amused chuckle he gave me would’ve blinded me with the other three men but I knew him too well to know that it was fake as fuck. “She’s a little shy at the thought of having little Suki babies running around causing havoc. Who wouldn’t be?” his beautiful blue eyes then rested on Jack. “We’re being careful and saving that for a later date.”

For the first time, I witnessed an aggressive glare in Jack’s eyes as his hands balled up into tight fists.