Chapter 6 #2
“Unless he gives in to Carrie’s parents,” Knight said, eyebrows drawn together as he watched the older couple.
I glanced over. Shit. I hadn’t even considered them swooping in to take Ruby. Maybe it would be better for everyone if they did. Holly had worried about taking proper care of her.
Then I thought of him singing “Love Me Tender” while slowly rocking her to sleep last night. No, it wouldn’t be better. He was her father. He deserved a chance to really know her.
“His apartment is tiny,” Joyride said. “Seems a bit cramped for a kid.”
I whipped my head toward him. “How would you know about his apartment?”
“Uh, I’ve been there?”
Joyride’s lips twitched into a smile. Why did he look so smug, damn it?
My chest tightened. If Hollywood had moved on with this pup while I had my head up my ass, I’d have to kick somebody’s ass. Probably mine.
Knight chuckled. “Ignore him, Joy. He’s just feeling a little green after his night with Holly.”
“Night with Holly…” Joyride said. “Like…?”
“I just helped him with Ruby,” I grumbled. “Stop implying there’s something there.”
“Isn’t there?” Knight challenged. “I just saw you look like you wanted to rip Joyride’s head off for visiting Hollywood’s place.”
I huffed. “I was just surprised. I didn’t think you two were close.”
“I dropped off diapers last night,” Joy said. “Remember?”
Oh, shit. I’d been the one to tell him to pick some up. Heat raced up my neck and crawled toward my face.
I changed the subject. “Let’s focus on what’s important. You’re saying Holly will have Ruby for weeks, if not longer.”
“Yeah, pretty likely.”
“He’s going to need a bigger place,” I said. “The bed is crammed into the living room, and he’s got half the contents of his house stacked on the counters to keep her out of it.”
Child locks would help with some of it, but not all. The man had no practical storage in that tiny apartment. There was no space for Ruby to play with toys, either. It was fine for a day or three, but long-term, it was going to get old real fast.
“We could talk to Nina,” Ghost said. “There might be an available trailer out at the park.”
“Not a bad idea,” Knight said. “Hollywood would be close to us. We could help out more easily.”
“I’ll ask as soon as I get back,” he said.
“Nothing tiny like your place,” Knight warned. “He needs room for two beds and space for Ruby to play.”
“Got it. No sardine cans.”
As they worked out the details of Hollywood’s living arrangements, a pit opened in my stomach. He had a whole support system ready to go to work for him.
Soon, Knight or Ghost—or cute, fresh-faced Joyride—would help him instead of me. I’d be off in Hayworth, digging in the mud while my dad tried to drag me into some bad business plan, and Hollywood and Ruby would be here…on their own.
I didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“Can he afford it, though?” Joyride asked, pulling me back to the conversation. “You needed a roommate, Knight. And Holly has a lot of restitution he pays too, doesn’t he?”
“A shit ton,” I agreed.
“Well, damn,” Knight said. “We could all pitch in a little, right? Maybe we could talk Nina into some more work around the park in exchange for a discount?”
Ghost shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“That’s before you take into account the cost of childcare,” Joyride added. “He’ll need someone to watch Ruby while he’s at work.”
Knight cursed, but I perked up.
“Maybe I could do it.”
They all stared at me. “Do what? Watch Ruby?”
“Yeah. And be his roommate,” I said, warming up to the idea. “I could help him cover the rent and take care of Ruby.”
“That’s generous,” Ghost said mildly, but I could sense the question in his words.
“Look, my sister is okay now, thanks to Knight scaring the shit out of her ex.”
Joyride laughed. “That was awesome!”
“And I’ve been working with my dad, so I’ve got a little money in the bank and another job this weekend. I can get enough together for half of the deposit and first month’s rent.”
“What about your dad?” Knight asked.
I gave him a flat look. “I’m over the father-son bonding. Honestly, I could use a reason to get out of town.”
Joyride snorted. “I can relate.”
“Right? Plus, I’m good with kids.” A warmth spread through me when I thought of the way Holly had looked at me that morning.
Like I was a genius. His fucking hero. Simply for helping Ruby the way I’d helped my nephews and niece dozens of times before.
“I can find a part-time job in the evenings. Win-win.”
“I don’t know,” Knight said slowly. “Are you going to bail on him when the going gets tough? Because it might.”
“No.”
“You’re absolutely certain?” He gave me a hard look. “Because I will kick your ass if you go down this road and then change your mind. And I won’t need any of the Serpents to do it.”
I held up my hands. “I promise.”
Matteo walked up with his wife, Allison. He led the Redemption Road work group that Hollywood and the other guys were in. I’d been one of them once, before I got fired one too many times and gave up on it and Riverton. Or tried, anyway. Leaving these guys behind wasn’t easy.
“Hey, guys,” Matteo said. “Good to see you all here for Hollywood. I’m sure he appreciates the support.” His gaze landed on me and one eyebrow twitched up. “And you too, Tex. You still living over in Hayworth?”
“Not for long,” Knight answered for me. “He’s thinking of moving over here and helping Hollywood with his daughter.”
“No kidding?”
“Would be great if he could get back into the program,” Knight added.
I should have known he’d go down that road.
“I don’t expect anything,” I said quickly. “I left the program, and I don’t even know if Hollywood wants me around yet.”
“He will,” Knight said.
“Maybe,” Joyride said dubiously. “He seemed pretty pissed at Tex for leaving.”
“Which Tex deserved,” Knight said. “But things have changed.”
I glanced over at Hollywood. He’d handed Ruby over to her grandmother, and his hands were tucked into his pockets, shoulders rolled forward. No doubt he was taking a verbal beating.
I wanted to be with him. To protect him from their animosity. But it wasn’t my place to interfere, not without an invitation.
Maybe it wasn’t my place to invite myself to be his roommate, either.
“It’s up to Hollywood,” I said. “But if he wants my help, I’m there. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Matteo clapped my shoulder. “Why don’t you come over to my home office. We can do the paperwork to get you back into Redemption Road.”
“Just like that?”
“Well, no, there will be a few hoops to jump through. But we’ll figure it out, all right? For Hollywood.”
“Okay, yeah.” I glanced toward Carrie’s hospital room door. “Now?”
He nodded. “The sooner we know our options, the better. It looks like Hollywood may be tied up for a while and I’ve got appointments.” He glanced at Knight. “Tell him I stopped by, will you? Let him know my thoughts are with him.”
“Will do.”
I stood uncertainly. “Can you give Kelly this car seat when she comes out?”
Knight stood. “Sure thing.”
“And tell Hollywood…”
I drifted off, uncertain what to say.
Knight yanked me in for a hug. “I’m glad you’re back. He will be too.”
My throat tightened. “I hope you’re right.”
He slapped my back. “Always am. Now, go. I’ll tell him you’re running errands in town, but you’re going to say goodbye before you leave. How does that sound?”
“Good. Yeah.” I smiled nervously, wondering if I was rushing headlong into something that would blow up in my face. Well, I’d run away before and that hadn’t worked.
Time to run toward something instead.