CHAPTER TWO #5
Mayson finishes and looks over at us. “Well, what the fuck are we gonna believe? Our friend, whom we knew for years and didn’t lie to us, or the drug addict who lied and stole from everyone?
” He takes a sip and looks at me. “The place he’s at, it’s hard to get shit, right?
” I nod. “Yeah, from everything I’ve learned, that place is the prison to be in if you’re trying to stay clean.
Since he detoxed at the hospital after the whole thing with Kierstie and Pa’s brother went down, and then at county before his trial, I’m guessing he is actually clean now.
What I’m wondering is if we think he’s gonna get out and stay clean or go right back to drugs.
Also, do I fucking tell Shane or Grant?”
Jeremiah sits down on the far end of the couch and sighs.
“On one hand, he’s the guy who we grew up with, who we knew was a great guy, but on the other hand…
” I toss in what I’ve been thinking about.
“On the other hand, he was willing to be a part of kidnapping my sister, his brother’s wife.
I know they say that people do crazy shit on drugs, and Kierstie swears that once he realized it was her, he fought with Abel to get him to stop and let her out. ”
Mayson sits down with a thud in his recliner.
“I say tell them, but also tell them that we’re not holding our breath.
That he’s got to prove he’s going to stay sober.
I’m gonna bet that Shane won’t introduce him to his kids till he’s close to a year out and still clean and sober.
I won’t let Daisy meet him much earlier than that.
I can’t have her meeting someone she could get attached to, only for them to leave her.
She’s had enough of that shit in her short little life.
I refuse to contribute anymore to it at this point when she might actually remember it in the future. ”
It still surprises me how much Mayson has changed in the last year since Daisy came to live with him.
Must surprise Jeremiah, too, by what he says next.
“Dude. I don’t think you’ve ever sounded more like our dads before.
Glad to see you’ve accepted this whole fatherhood thing, even if she ain’t yours by DNA.
” Mayson glares at him. “You know that DNA means fuck all when it comes to our family. Daisy is my daughter. Period. Biology ain’t a factor.
When you’ve been projectile vomited and shit on at the same fucking time, you’ve earned the title of dad. ”
Asher stands in the doorway with a look of horror on his face.
“I walked in at the wrong fucking moment. Don’t talk about my Daisy-girl like that.
She’s a fucking princess.” Ry and Leif walk in behind Asher and go straight to the fridge and grab beers.
Ry comes and sits next to me, and I know he’s studying me more than he ever studied for a test in school.
“What?” Ry shakes his head. “Nothin’. This is the first time in months, maybe years, that you don’t look overly stressed or full of twatstipation.
” I can feel my eye starting to twitch. “What the fuck did you just say?” Ry rolls his eyes, like I should know what he’s saying.
“Twatstipation. It’s when you get a mental block or stress because you’ve been dealing with too many twats in one day. Did you not work today?”
I glare at my brother. Where in the hell does he come up with these words?
“I worked a half day yesterday and took today off. I’m working on the whole work-balance thing.
” Ry looks surprised. “Well, fuck me. Little brother might not keel over at forty now. Ma will be happy to hear that. Mads-er, Madison too, since we know she doesn’t like being the youngest.” His concern is just so fucking touching. Jackwad.
Leif sits in the chair next to me. “Haley said you were reducing your overtime and looking to hire more help. She mentioned you’re overloaded with clients.
” Ry, being the gossip he is, chimes in, “Since when do you talk to Haley? I know Logan’s her friend and Kierstie, Ma, and Anna all babysit sometimes for her.
” Jeremiah gets a grin on his face. “He’s got a crush on her but won’t make a move.
” Asher walks by and puts a hand on Leif’s shoulder, knowing that he is getting ready to jump up and turn it into a brawl.
“What Bullfrog fails to realize is that even if Leif is feeling so inclined toward Haley…” Asher quickly squeezes his hand that’s still resting on Leif’s shoulder as he keeps talking.
“She’s not someone he can just casually take on a date here and there.
She’s got little Benji, and as awesome as the little guy is, he requires extra care.
That’s something Leif’s gotta feel he can handle, because if he doesn’t and ends up hurting Haley, that’s gonna upset Logan and then I’m gonna have to fucking wade in. ”
Mayson effectively changes the subject. “Game’s about to start.
Max, you gonna order pizza?” I nod and pull out my phone.
Time to eat bad-for-me food and enjoy a game for once.
We aren’t gonna mention that I’m also wondering what Christy is doing tonight, how much she’s already on my mind, and I barely even know her. Nope, not at all.