Oh shit. Did Xavier live?
The guard silently led me from the hole through the jail and past my cell. Juke waved to me as we walked by. He kept walking until we reached the cafeteria. “Take a seat.” The guard motioned to the cafeteria table.
“Am I waiting for someone?” He grabbed my arm and forced me to sit. “Fuck, I was just asking a question.”
The guard walked away as he muttered something to himself. I sat there and waited anxiously for Xavier to arrive. One of the jail doors behind me opened, and my spine stiffened. I listened to the sound of footsteps as they walked nearer.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit! Okay, in and out. Deep breaths. In and out.
Xavier began to whistle, and I immediately recognized the tune. “Wait.”
I spun around to see Motley standing there, his long curly hair pulled up on top of his head, and wearing an orange fucking jumpsuit. He stopped whistling and grinned. “I hear you’ve been a real hothead, songbird.”
Motley.
I had to blink over and over again to ensure I wasn’t going crazy. But it was real. He was real. Motley was here.
He walked around the table and sat across from me. “Don’t tell me the hole made you mute. Now, that would be a real tragedy.”
“Motley. But how?”
He leaned across the table and kissed me. I panicked and pulled away as I searched for the guards. Oh shit, now we're going to be in real trouble! “Relax,” he purred. “Now, get back here and fucking kiss me.” He grabbed my face and kissed me again, and this time, I didn’t pull away. I kissed him back. Ithad been so long since I kissed him. Whimpers of longing and yearning for him melted into his mouth as we kissed. God, I fucking missed him.
“Motley,” I whispered his name between kisses. “Not that I’m complaining, but—” His tongue grazed the top of my mouth. “Why are you here?”
Motley groaned before pulling away and smiling. “Well, I actually have you to thank for that.”
“Me?”
He nodded. “I expected you to cause some trouble being locked up in here, but never did I think you’d go after Xavier! I mean, what the fuck, Kash?”
My hands reached out and grabbed his. “He wanted to make you come back.”
“And so you decided to stab him in the neck with a sharpened toothbrush.”
I flicked my eyebrows. “I made you a promise, Motley. And besides, the toothbrush wasn’t even my idea.”
Motley laughed. “No, but it was a good thing you had it.” His fingers rubbed my hands. “You could've died, Kash.”
I nodded. “At least you’re safe.”
Motley shook his head. “Yeah, well, it’s my turn to protect you.”
I scoffed. “Oh yeah? How so? By being locked up in here with me? Real smart, drummer boy.”
Motley looked at me as if he knew something I didn’t. Like he was in on some joke. “Me being here is the best way to protect you, now that I’m the head of my old gang.” My eyes widened at what he just said. “I know, right? Trust me, I never thought I’d end up back in that damn thing, but here I am.” He shrugged.
“Motley.” I pulled my hands away and grabbed my head. “Fuck, I’m so sorry. Fuck!” My leg shook, and I closed my eyes.
In and out.
Motley shook his head and tried to calm me as well. “Hey. Hey, it’s okay. Take a deep breath.” He watched me carry out the techniques he’d always used on me all by myself. “Kash, you–you’re doing it.”
I nodded with my eyes closed. “Being locked away in a dark, tiny room all by yourself gives you all the time you need to focus on your shit.”
In and out.
“I’ve spent most of my time trying to do just that.” After a couple moments, I felt my nerves settle and opened my eyes.
