Page 55 of Lyric Squared

“What about our baby girl?”

Ran into her. In her. Through her. Yes, sir, I wanted to admit.

“Yeah. Last night.”And this morning.

The words were at the tip of my tongue, but out of respect for Lyric, I swallowed them. The taste was bitter and foreign. I’d never bitten my tongue or swallowed my truth for anyone, but it was whatever when it came to her.

“Good. Good.”

“Where’s the lady of the house?”

“Out spending my hard-earned money already.”

“Let’s not act like she doesn’t have her own to spend,” I teased.

“Oh, we all know she does. What you got on your agenda today?”

“Shit. Making my rounds, checking on my properties, and handling a bit of business.”

“Sounds productive. How is Kale?”

“Kale is much better, but I’m sure you already knew that.”

There wasn’t much that got past Liam Eisenberg. Once he set his sights on Kale, he wouldn’t let up until he was certain that he wouldn’t get himself into more trouble. That’s how I slept so well every night when I was down. I knew that with the Eisenbergs still on the streets, Kale was in great hands.

“I did. He’s doing good up there at the school.”

“Yeah, he’s doing what needs to be done.”

“That’s all that matters.”

“I’m going to get out of here, old man. Tell Ma Dukes I stopped by to see her. I’m sure I’ll catch her in these Channing streets soon.”

“Especially if you plan on doing any shopping.” He chuckled.

“Right.”

“Be easy, son. I’m happy you’re home.”

“Appreciate that,” I mustered before taking the small set of steps that led toward the winding path.

SIX

“Maybe we could gosome place for a few days to spend some time together – one weekend you’re free.”

Fuck, I groaned inwardly, still unable to rip the plastic open and retrieve the content of it. It was content that I desperately needed and couldn’t go even another few hours without. In fact, I was hoping I wasn’t too late already. The seventy-two hour window was slowly closing and the small talk that Collin was making was disrupting my train of thought.

“Lyric. Baby, did you hear me?”

“I’m sorry. Uh. Yeah. Sure.”

“Yeah? We should get out of here. Where to?”

Wrestling again with the stubborn plastic in my hand, I nodded. “Umm. Hmmm.”

“Lyric, baby you don’t have a clue what I’m saying, do you?”

“I really have to go relieve my bladder. Sorry.”