Chapter 16
Delaney
During my next shift at the diner, I’m on my own. Jon hasn’t replaced Darcy and at this point, I think he may have given up.
It’s been super tense at home but thankfully Joey hasn’t mentioned me staying and I’ve been doing my best to avoid confrontation. Although I have a thousand questions starting with why his name isn’t on my birth certificate, I’ve held my tongue because I don’t want to make waves.
As soon as I’m on the floor, I pause to find Maddox and an older man sitting in a booth by the door.
It’s the same man with the wild mohawk—Maddox’s dad.
Fuck me. Would one more day be too much before I had to face my humiliation again?
Although why am I surprised, since starting here, I’ve seen more Saints in these booths than at any party. I swear one of them is here every time I come in for a shift.
Approaching the table with lead feet, I glance over the table, relieved they’ve already eaten and say, “Uh, hey. Anything else you need?”
I’m avoiding all eye contact but when no one responds, I meet Maddox’s gaze before sliding to his father sitting opposite him.
When I find him staring at me too, I drop my hands and say, “What?”
Maddox’s brows furrow as his father takes a slurp of his coffee before saying, “We want to talk to you about your daddy.”
“My…dad?” I say, a sliver of unease sliding down my spine.
What could they possibly want to know about him? He’s a drunk. A sloppy drunk at that, even if he is or was affiliated with the Aces at some point.
I don’t even know if he is my dad, but I suspect they don’t want to know about the newest family drama.
“Yeah, darlin’,” Maddox’s father says, and I glance at Maddox.
Why I don’t know. I don’t really know him either, so seeking comfort or reassurance from a virtual stranger, even if he’s had his hand down my pants is beyond stupid.
“Your daddy got a job?” the older man says, running his hand through the rainbow stripe of hair on his head.
“Job?” I parrot dumbly and Maddox says, “Yeah, Delaney…your daddy got a job?”
“No, he lives off disability,” I say before pointing at the menus. “Are you getting anything else?”
Maddox glances at his dad before shaking his head.
When he throws money on the table, I can’t hide my relief, except at the door, they both look back and my heart sinks.
What the hell is going on?
Maddox
“I don’t know, son,” Pops says, and I shake my head.
“I know what I saw, Pops.”
“Won’t know ‘til I see the fucker for myself,” he says, and I bite my tongue.
I get it, he has to be cautious, but this is it. I know what I saw and that fat, disgusting bastard was playing with the Aces, pretty as you please.
We’re losing our opportunity while Pops wants to grill a teenager for fucks sake.
Shit. I would know right away if she were acting, those blushing cheeks don’t lie.
I almost feel sorry for her except I don’t do that shit. We all have our crosses to bear. Hers just happens to be a waste of space who seemingly abandoned his brothers.
Still, when I glance back at her standing in the middle of the diner, her wide eyes looking at me, I hesitate.
She deserves to know what's going on. That man can’t hide forever, and his cover was blown. If he betrayed his brothers, all hell is about to break loose.
Shaking my head, I stop before my bike. This isn’t my business. I should leave it alone but when I get home, I pull Draven aside.
Delaney
On Monday, I trudge into school with a headache and a scowl. Not only do I feel stupid for letting Joey get under my skin but I’m still trying to figure out why Maddox and his dad questioned me about him.
Unfortunately, I’m not paying attention to where I’m going and slam into a hard body before rebounding backward.
“Whoa,” Micah says, grabbing my arms before I fall to the floor.
“Sorry,” I say as he sets me on my feet.
“No worries,” he says stiffly, and I muster a smile.
When a tense silence falls between us, I back away, pausing as he says, “Look, Delaney. I just want you to know…I thought you were the one.”
He spins on his heel, and I watch him walk away, my jaw at my knees.
While that was a sweet thing to say, I don’t think he truly understands his part in our breakup.
Still, I miss the easy times with him and rub my aching chest as I duck into the bathroom.
I hope I have a few more minutes before the bell rings and pause just inside the door when I find Draven at the sink.
When her watery eyes meet mine, I step forward with concern, but she cuts me off and says, “What are you looking at?”
“Draven, what’s wrong?” I ask, eyeing the dark makeup halfway down her face.
Her nose scrunches and she slams her way into a stall before muttering, “Whatever. Bitches see his face and they always go after dick.”
“Um, what?” I sputter and she sneers, “What? You’re gonna deny sniffing after my brother?”
I don’t know what to say and flap my hands around even though she can’t see me. I mean, I’m sure it’s weird for her but I’m not doing anything wrong. Right?
“It’s getting a little pathetic,” she continues. “Maybe you should back off because you’re acting like a bitch in heat.”
“Really?” I bark. “Fine, be an asshole.”
I sweep from the room before she can respond, stalking past Becky with a snarl.
Wisely, she keeps her trap shut and I stomp into class before dropping into my seat.
I can’t believe she said that. I’m not a bitch in heat. Damn her…