“Don’t give her shit,” I say, leveling my eyes on Kyle. “Yes, I’m a felon. Yes, I was in prison. My father had committed a crime, and I’d refused to snitch on him. Call me whatever you want for it, but I’d do it again if I had to. My past will not hurt your sister in any way. I’m not trouble. I work at the bar, keep my nose clean, and that’s it.”

Kyle looks at me, shocked, as if he expected me to sit back and allow Cassidy to fight my battles.

“I can vouch for him,” Maliki says behind me, and I’m not sure when the hell he arrived, but I’ll take his support. “He’s Archer’s brother. Dude has kept it real with me since the day he was released. I met him a few times before he was locked up. He’s a good guy.” He shrugs, sipping on his beer. “We all know our past shouldn’t come back to bite us in the ass.”

Kyle runs his hands through his hair. “Fine, whatever.” He looks at me, and in the same tone he used with Cassidy, he says to me, “A quick word.”

I nod. “Sure.”

Kyle waves me out of the room and down a hallway, so we’re alone.

We land in a bedroom, and he shuts the door behind us.

“I wasn’t trying to be a dick,” he automatically says.

I chuckle. “You failed at that.”

“I’m just … worried about my little sister, you know?” He strokes his jaw. “The last thing she needs is to fall into trouble again. She might’ve managed to end up with community service last time, but she has a record now, which could result in a harsher punishment.”

“I swear to you, I have nothing but your sister’s best interests.” I silently pray he can see the honesty in my eyes, the deep care I have for Cassidy, and that he’ll trust me with her. “I get wanting to protect your sister, but I won’t get her in any trouble.”

“What are you?” He blinks. “Dating? Friends?”

I feel stupid when I say, “I have no idea actually.”

He nods as if he understands that complicated time in figuring out what you are with another person. “Look, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt because I know your family was good until all that shit went down. I’ve met Archer, and he seems like a cool-ass dude. Just don’t get my sister in trouble.”

“That’s the last thing I ever want to do.”

“Sorry for the interrogation, bro.”

“Nah, it’s cool. Thanks for hearing me out and giving me a chance, instead of letting my past define who I am.”