“Exactly.” It worried me I hadn’t worked since being injured, but Zion, Country, and Death had all stated I had to heal to a point I was able to move without so much pain before I started back in on any job. It just happened to be about the same time I would be starting at the security firm. What eased my concerns and stopped me arguing with them about work was that the bank replaced all the money Henry stole, which had only been finalized last week. It helped me breathe a bit easier knowing I had money to back me up from not working for so long.

Zion had tried to tell me he’d support me when it came to money, but I didn’t want to rely on someone else. It took him a while to understand. He saw it as since we were together, whatever he had in life was mine as well. I found the whole thing mind-blowing, and I figured I was still getting used to the idea Zion was mine. Eventually, he’d understood that I wasn’t throwing away his offer, that I would take him up on it if necessary. Though I was sure he just said so to appease me. The truth was I needed to manage without laying my shit on someone else. I needed to be independent.

“You are okay with leavin’ Polished, right?” I asked since West was quiet.

“Yes, yeah, I am….”

“But?” I pressed.

“Yesterday I was talking with Lucas and realized I missed him.”

“The client?” I asked to clarify.

He laughed humorlessly. “It’s stupid. We hardly spoke, but I liked being around him. Why can’t I get over this?”

I didn’t want to voice the answer I had, which was that he could have been the one for West, like Zion was for me, but saying that could hurt him more. I didn’t know this guy, but they’d connected on a different level than West had with his ex, and West had thought he’d loved Sam.

“You will eventually. It just takes time.”

“It’s been nearly two months, Kylo,” he stated.

I cringed. “Fuck, I know. Sorry. Why don’t you come over here and we’ll chat while we get drunk?”

He laughed a little. “Thanks for the offer, but it’s late. I’m about to head home, and Saint just left to get to you. I’m not interrupting that. Still—”

“West? Somethin’ wrong?”

“Huh? Oh, no, I just thought I saw someone I knew. Thanks for the chat, but I’ll talk to you soon.”

“You got it. Take care.”

“Thanks, you too.” He hung up, and I placed my phone on the bedside table. I worried about West and figured a guys’ night was called for with West, Lucas, and me. And soon.

For now, I wanted to make sure everything was ready for when Zion got home. I’d already showered, so I got undressed, put his guitar at the end of the bed, and sat naked on the bed with a book beside me and my comics.