Wild For You (Texas Heat)

Chapter 1

1

Nico

Haley carried her small bag to the front door, groaning, but not wanting any help. For such a small girl, her independence was important to her.

“I can take yours, daddy.”

Mine weighed at least ten more pounds than hers. “That’s okay, sweetie. Daddy can handle his own. Why don’t you one more sweep of your room and make sure you aren’t forgetting anything? It’s a four-hour drive.

She smiled and skipped off to her room.

“You know, she adores you, right?” my mother said.

“Yes, but still wish her mother was around for her. Haley misses her and doesn’t understand the situation.”

Today, we were leaving to attend my cousin’s wedding in Lawson Ridge, but I never planned on returning. The town held too many memories, but my mother talked me into going against my will. Haley would enjoy herself and get to meet some of my family, so I gave in.

“Let’s go!” Haley said, running back out to the door, turning the handle, and staring back at us. “We are going to be late.”

The wedding wasn’t until tomorrow. I load the bags into the back of my truck and buckle her in. “Let’s hit the road, munchkin.”

My mother sat in the passenger seat, and though I wasn't excited about the drive, I didn't often have opportunities like this. Being a single father, my whole life revolved around Haley. I didn’t like paying someone to babysit her so I could go out, so I stayed in beside work.

Shortly after her mother left, I attempted to have someone watch her, but it didn’t even take an hour before the babysitter was calling. Haley believed I would never return, causing her distress.

I pulled out of our driveway and onto the pavement to start the four-hour drive to Lawson Ridge. If I was lucky, they would both fall asleep until we get there. Nice and quiet.

Almost five hours later, because of traffic, we pulled into the parking lot for the hotel in Lawson Ridge. My mother and Haley both passed out on the road in just half an hour.

“We are here.”

Haley jolted awake, clapping her hands and looking out the window. “I’m so excited.”

My mother stretched her arms. “I know how much you hate Lawson Ridge, but this wedding is a good thing. Just try to enjoy yourself.”

Easier said than done in this town.

I unbuckled Haley and took her hand to walk inside and get our room keys. The receptionist was quick and pleasant.

“Alright, take Haley up to the room and I’ll bring the bags up.”

I piled the two smaller bags on top of my mother’s rolling suitcase and headed back inside and up the elevator. When it opened on our floor, Haley’s giggles were gliding down the hallway.

“Grandma, stop. I’m gonna pee my pants.”

I smiled and entered the room, since she left the door open. “She’s not kidding. It’s happened before. I’d watch out.”

Setting her bag on the floor, I guided Haley to our room, three doors down, holding her hand. When I opened it, she looked like we were at a theme park. She immediately jumped on the bed.

“We have our own beds, daddy. This is going to be so much fun!”

Being back in this town meant we would run into my brother, Michael. We didn’t get along, except for Chase’s sake. I made a quick stop to see him while we were here. He didn’t have anyone else in town besides his father, and even he was in and out of jail.

Haley rested on the bed, flipping on the television. “What are we going to do now?”

“I’m gonna go right down to grandma’s room for a sec. The door is open if you need anything, okay?”

She shook her head and laid it down on the pillow.

I knocked on her door and she answered. “What’s wrong?”

“You mind watching her while I go check in on Chase? It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”

“You sure about that, son? Michael hasn’t been right for years and seeing you might send him back into dark times.”

“What kind of uncle would I be if I didn’t go see him while I’m in town?”

She nodded and followed me back to my room.

“Munchkins, grandma is going to watch you for an hour or two while Daddy runs some errands. I’ll bring back something to eat for dinner, okay?”

She nodded and went back to watching television.

I grabbed my keys and closed the hotel room behind me.

Michael had been out of jail for a while, possibly indicating some improvement, but it's doubtful. Chase always called me when his dad didn’t come home for a couple of days. It broke my heart that he was in that situation, but I told myself the next time it happened, I had to do something about it. Moving back to Lawson Ridge wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but he was family. He didn’t deserve to grow up without an adult present.

My truck pulled out onto the main road and headed straight for Michael’s. Maybe I could talk some sense into my brother. He had to want better for his son. Any parent would. He hadn’t been right since our father left when he was seventeen.

Pausing on the street, I watched the house to see if anyone was home. The driveway was empty, but I could see the television on through the window. Was Chase at home alone again?

Rather than approaching in my truck, I parked a couple hours down and walked up to the house to knock on the door.

“Get the door, boy! Whoever it is, tell them we don’t want nothing they are selling.”

A rustling sound emerged from behind the door, which then opened. His eyes locked on mine, and then he recognized me. Instead of saying anything, he stepped out onto the porch and shut the door.

“Now isn’t a good time. He’s in one of his moods.” His gaze stuck to the ground.

“I’m not really here for him. Wanted to see you squirt.”

A smile reached his eyes. “Oh, I’m alright. I’ve learned to just stay out of his way.”

The front door swung open. “Who the hell you talking to out here, boy?” Michael’s eyes squinted from the sunlight. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“In town for the wedding. Wanted to stop by and see Chase.”

“How nice of you, brother. We are just fine. You can go back and tell mom that.” He took a drink of his beer and wiped his lips.

“Actually, I wanted to take Chase to grab something to eat,” I said, ushering him off the porch toward the street. My brother was clearly already drunk.

“You aren’t taking my boy anywhere. Get your ass back inside, Chase.”

This was what I was trying to avoid. Michael was a drunk and Chase didn’t need to see that. Much less have to learn to deal with it. He deserved so much better.

“I’ll have him back in an hour or two.”

Chase and I started to walk away down the street, but Michael rushed me and pushed me to the ground.

“You are just going to waltz back into town and try to turn my son against me. It didn’t work last time and it won’t now.”

Instead of giving into what he wanted, a fight, Chase and I walked to my truck and took off to the diner. He looked like he could use something to eat and just the presence of someone other than Michael.

“Does he always act like that?”

“Only when he’s been drinking. So most of the time.”

“Why didn’t you call me? I didn’t know he got this bad.”

He crossed his arms. “You have Haley to take care of. I’m not your kid.”

His words broke my heart. My kid or not, he was family.

“You are my blood regardless, Chase. You don’t deserve to live like that.”

It was time to figure something out. Michael might not let me take Chase back with me, but it was only a matter of time before he went to jail again. Chase would call me and I’d move back here and raise him myself.

Our dad scarred us for life. Most of our childhoods, we were beaten daily, for the most minute things. My mother's attempts to escape with us ended up with her in the hospital and him promising never to repeat it. Michael, unlike me, has been devastated since he left us.

“We will figure this out. Michael can’t behave for long. Until then, let’s eat and catch up.”

My nephew would not turn on his father, much like Michael, never turned on our father either. However, the law would be in my favor when Michael went to jail again. All I had to do was wait for Michael to mess up.