Chapter 25 Michael #2
I peeled my body from hers and grabbed her hand, tugging her down the street to where my truck was parked. I was desperate to get her home, to feel her body against mine. After the way they were all teasing me, I was on edge.
But I never made it to the truck.
We were just outside The General Store when I saw it. Wesley was inside, and he was shoving candy bars in his jacket, looking over his shoulder to make sure no one was looking.
“Fuck,” I muttered, coming to a stop.
“What is it?”
I nodded at the store window, and when she saw the same as me, she turned on her heel and stormed back to the door, yanking it open as she charged inside.
“What the fuck are you doing?” she shouted as she approached Wesley.
I came up behind her, stepping around to find out exactly how much shit this kid was planning on stealing. “Empty your pockets.”
“What’s going on?” John Callahan asked, his voice tight with tension when he saw me.
Ignoring him, I narrowed my eyes on Wesley. “Empty them. Now.”
Rolling his eyes, the kid did as I said, pulling out three candy bars and a soda from his pockets.
“You fucking thief!” John shouted, about to launch himself at Wesley.
Interceding, I placed my bulky frame between him and the kid. The last thing I needed was bloodshed on my hands. “Let me handle this.”
“Handle. Ha! I heard you took the little punk in. You’re probably just as bad as his parents.”
“Would you like to press charges?”
“You’re damn straight I do!” John yelled, his face red and mottled with rage. His finger shot out as he pointed at the kid. “You come in here again, I’ll pull out my twelve gauge and put a hole in your chest!”
“Mr. Callahan, please calm down. I’ll take him to the station. There’s no need for threats.”
“Threats? That’s not a threat, you punk. It’s a promise. Come back and find out for yourself when you’re not hiding behind that badge.”
I had no time for threats from this man. He already had it out for my family, and now Wesley was adding fuel to the fire.
“Step back right now,” I ordered. “I’m taking him down to the station, and you can meet me there to make a statement.”
“I’m not meeting you anywhere!”
“Fine. Don’t press charges,” I snarled.
Spinning on my heel, I grabbed Wesley and pushed him against the counter, pulling his hands behind his back. “Is this really the way you want to do things?”
“Go fuck yourself,” he snapped.
“Quite the mouth you have. If you don’t want to land in any more trouble, I suggest you keep it shut.”
“Is that your fucked up way of reading me my rights?”
“Nah, kid. That’s just some friendly advice,” I said, hauling him up and marching him to the door. “Blake, let’s move.”
“Well, I guess that means we’re not going home,” she sighed.
“Sorry to cock block you,” Wesley snickered, not even caring in the slightest that he was in a world of trouble. The kid just didn’t get how fucked he was, and if I didn’t set him straight soon, it would be too late to give him the life he needed.
“Well, this has been fun, but I think I’ll head out.”
“You don’t have your car,” I said, pulling Wesley to a stop as I looked at Blake.
“I’ll take your truck.”
“I need my truck.”
Wesley jerked in my arms, but I tightened my grip while also grabbing him around the back of the neck to hold him still. “Stop fucking around before you get hurt.” Turning back to Blake, I raised an eyebrow at her.
“Fine, I’ll check out the downtown area. You can give me a ride home when you’re done.”
“Keep your phone on you.”
“Like I could ever lose you,” she smirked, walking in the opposite direction.
It was impossible not to stare at her ass as she walked away. It didn’t matter what I was dealing with at the moment. I would never not be in the mood to fuck her.
“Pervert,” Wesley snorted.
I shoved him forward and took him to the station for processing.
It was a really shitty thing to have to arrest a kid the day after I agreed to take him into my custody and vouch for him, to be his guardian.
But I stepped into these shoes for a reason, and I wasn’t backing down just because he was a pain in the ass.
The moment I walked through the doors of the station, Maverick burst out in a laugh, shaking his head as he handed Remi a twenty. “You called it.”
Shoving Wesley into the cell, I slammed the door and walked away.
If Callahan decided to press charges, this kid was gonna be in a world of hurt that I might not be able to save him from.
He’d already gotten into too much trouble in this town, and the folks around here probably wouldn’t be too forgiving, knowing what they did about him.
Slumping into the chair in Mav’s office, I rolled my eyes when he chuckled at me.
“So, I bet you didn’t think you’d have to deal with this on your first full day as a guardian.”
“He’s supposed to be in school. I dropped him off.”
“Yeah, but did you watch him walk in?”
I hadn’t. “Fuck.”
“Even once he’s in the school, good luck keeping him there,” he laughed. “Not sure what you were thinking with that one.”
“I was thinking he needed some fucking help before his whole life went in the shitter.”
“Well, some kids you can’t help.”
“Is that the way we’re handling things in this town?” I snapped. “Shove the kid aside because no one’s taken the time to help him?”
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
“Then what are you getting at?”
Leaning back in his seat, Mav looked just as calm as he did when I walked through the door, but I felt like I was about to explode.
“What I’m saying is that kid is gonna be one helluva job, and I want you to be prepared for the fact that no matter what you do for him, he might not come around.”
“He’s still young.”
“He is,” he nodded. “But he also grew up with parents who didn’t give a shit. He’s been running around town on his own since he was five.”
“And why the fuck hasn’t anyone done anything?” I snarled, feeling my rage climbing by the second.
“Years ago, folks did try to help, but the parents didn’t want it. I guess we all just gave up trying,” he shrugged. “I’m surprised they even gave up guardianship. But then, they never truly wanted to be parents. Truth is, I hope they leave this town.”
Sighing, I tilted my head back, resting it on the back of the chair. “What happens to the kid?”
“Depends on what Callahan does.”
“I don’t suppose talking to him would help.”
“From you?” He snorted in amusement. “Not sure he has a civil word for anyone in this town, but especially not anyone in your family.”
I quirked an eyebrow at him, making him sigh.
“Seriously?”
“I would do it for you.”
“Shit,” he sighed, tossing down his pen. “The last thing I need today is to talk to John Callahan. That man’s as mean as a bear.”
“Do whatever you have to do. Hell, tell him he’ll do community service. You can have him pick up garbage on the weekends.”
“Yeah, but he hates your family. Do you really think he’ll do anything to help you out? Or worse, he could have a talk with the kid and poison his mind against you and your family.”
I knew it was a possibility, but I just didn’t think Callahan had it in him. He was a mean cuss, but only because of things that happened to him. I didn’t think he had it in him to intentionally hurt anyone.
“It’ll be fine. Trust me.”
“You’re putting a lot of faith in a man who vowed revenge against your family.”
“I know.”
Shaking his head, he stood up and walked around the desk, snatching his coat off the rack. “Better come with me.”
“To Callahan’s? That’ll make it worse.”
“Won’t do any good if he can’t get a rise out of you. Better make it good.”
I didn’t like the idea of baiting the old man, but I also didn’t want Wesley to end up in juvie either. “Fine, but if this goes wrong, I’m holding you accountable.”
“You can say whatever makes you feel better,” he grinned.
I wasn’t looking forward in the least to having another confrontation with Callahan, but if it could help Wesley, then I would do my part.
Even if I wasn’t entirely sure that Wesley deserved another chance.
Maybe what he needed was to be sent to juvie, but deep down, I knew I couldn’t let that happen until I’d exhausted all other options.
The bell chimed over the door as we walked in. Callahan immediately scowled when he saw my face. But he ignored me, talking only to Mav.
“Sheriff,” he muttered. “I suppose you’re here to talk me out of pressing charges.”
“Nope,” Mav shook his head. “Sometimes all kids need is a good thump on the back of the head. You know that soft spot back there is really a reset button.”
Callahan actually cracked a smile, which was surprising considering his kid was in a car accident and had brain damage. “I’ll be down after the shop closes to make my statement.”
“Good,” Mav nodded. “The sooner we can get this processed, the better. That kid needs to do some time in juvie, not that it’ll help that much.”
“Already too far gone?” Callahan asked.
Mav sighed, nodding his head from side to side thoughtfully.
“Probably not. In all honesty, the kid will have it too easy in there. All the TV he could want. Good meals—a helluva lot better than what he was getting at home. You know how they are now. They’ll give him the soft touch and put him in therapy.
Tell him to talk about his feelings,” Mav snorted.
“Are you serious?” Callahan snapped. “That kid stole from me, and he’s just gonna live in the lap of luxury?”
“Well…it’s not all good,” Mav noted thoughtfully. “I mean, I’m sure they’ll still make him do schoolwork. Get him to take his GED.”
“Bullshit!” Callahan spat. “That boy needs to learn about hard work and paying for your crimes.”
“Exactly, which is why he’s going to juvie,” I cut in.
For the first time, Callahan turned and looked directly at me, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “Not if I don’t press charges.”
“You have to. The kid shoplifted from you.”
“He never left the store. Besides, I have something else in mind.”
“But—”
“Now, Michael, let’s hear him out. After all, the kid tried to steal his things. It’s only right he has a say in what happens.”
I clenched my jaw hard, pretending to be pissed, which wasn’t too hard because I was furious that Wesley had put me in this position.
“It’s clear that boy has no direction. What he needs is a firm hand to set him straight.”
“I completely agree,” Mav said. “What did you have in mind?”
“He’ll work here—”
“Now, wait a minute,” I cut in. “I hardly think that’s a good idea—”
“He’ll work here for a year. No pay,” Callahan said, face going hard, telling me this was my only option. I was all for Wesley working off his crimes, but working at the store with this old man? Mav was right. Callahan hated our family, and this would most likely end badly.
“A year is a little harsh for a few candy bars.”
“And a Coke,” he added. “And if you don’t want that kid to go to juvie, which I know is exactly why you came here, then you’ll agree to my terms. Take it or leave it. There’s no other option.”
Glancing at Mav, I knew we were fucked. If I backed out now, he would make things even worse for Wesley.
“Fine. You have a deal.”
“I expect him here every day after school and all day Saturday.”
“He has to do his homework,” I argued.
“Then I guess you’d better get used to staying up late with him. Store closes at seven.”
“Fine.”
“We’ll see you two tomorrow.”
He gave us his back and got back to work. Mav clapped me on the shoulder as I walked out of the store.
“Well, look on the bright side. It could be a helluva lot worse.”
“How so?”
“Not sure yet, but I’ll get back to you when I think of something.”