Page 126 of Sinners Reunion

I don’t know.

He eventually returns with Frankie and Maverick. He also informs us that Jim says the event is back on. The nightclub bouncer discovered a group of men trying to roofie a group of young women, so the men have been secured in the cellar for our games tomorrow.

With that out of the way, Kindra gives them the news about King’s identity, and Frankie takes it about how Kindra did. She has her questions, and King gives her answers. By the end of their talk, she’s come around enough to help me breathe a little easier.

“If you think about the grand scheme of things, being a deadbeat dad isn’t as bad as being a pedophile or a rapist, but it’s still such a shitty thing to do.” Frankie shrugs and looks at King, her eyebrows pulling together. “I want to forgive you. It’s just going to take some time. But I want to get to the forgiveness part eventually, so we have to help Bennett and Aven come around too.”

“That’s all I want, even though I don’t deserve it.” King closes his eyes. “There’s just one more thing you’ll need to get past.”

He explains about the memory wipes, and while Ezra and Frankie don’t appreciate having had their memories scrubbed, they understand why it was necessary.

I point at Frankie. “So we’ve convinced lawful good.” I point at Ezra. “We’ve convinced true neutral. How the fuck do we convince a chaotic evil and a neutral evil?”

We all look at each other, but no one seems to have an answer. There are only a few days left to convince Aven and Bennett, and I have a sinking feeling that we’re fighting a losing battle. Those two are hellbent on killing their father, and no one can stand in their way.

King finally tells the limo driver to head out, and we make the drive back to the lot in silence. Tomorrow, we have an event to play in before we drive to our final stop on this trip. Then it’s full steam ahead to the Carter family reunion, come what may.

Chapter Forty

King

Abreeze kicks up dust in the distance. The lot lights catch the tiny particles as they spin into the air. The night is comfortably warm, and as I stuff my hands into the pockets of shorts made out of jogger material, I wonder why I went so long without wearing comfortable clothes.

I went so long without so many things.

The RV door creaks open behind me, and Josie comes down the steps. She rubs her arms and stands beside me. Everyone else retreated to their cabins hours ago, likely long asleep by now. Only Josie and I can’t seem to find rest.

“What are we looking at?” she whispers.

“I’m just getting some air.” I pull her in front of me. My arms drape her shoulders, and I dip my nose against her hair to smell that tea-tree scent. “My favorite smell.”

“I’m your favorite flavor, your favorite smell—you might as well admit it, King. You’re in love with me.”

The world spins for a beat, and then it feels like it stops.

“I am.”

Two words tumble out of me without hesitation. I don’t want to fight it anymore. In a few days, I’ll likely be dead, and I want to tell her at least once that I love her.

“I know you are,” she whispers. “I’m in love with you too.”

“I know you are.”

I kiss the crown of her head and keep my lips there as I indulge a little more. The night quiet seems so loud as silence pulls us closer.

“So does that mean I won the bet?” she asks.

“Absolutely not.” I close my eyes. “I don’t even remember what we wagered. Let’s say we both won and call it a draw.”

“You really can’t stand to lose, can you?”

“I cannot.”

She takes a step away from me, but her hand catches mine. She pulls me toward the RV door, and I follow her. I’ll follow her anywhere tonight. To the ends of the earth, preferably. Far from what waits on the horizon behind us.

I help her inside. She strolls to the back and sits on the mattress, patting the space beside her. I take a seat and pull off my shoes, then flop back. She snuggles up to my side and drapes her leg over my lap. Her head rests on my chest. When her hand splays over my stomach, warmth unfurls behind my ribs. I want more nights like this.

“Do you still want to know why I haven’t kissed you?” she asks.