“No fuckin’ way.”
She didn’t warn me she was comin.’
What the hell is this sneaky bitch up to?
At my parent’s house?!
I’d noticed – oh, I noticed – that the credit card transactions stopped a few days back. How’d she get the money to ride that bike here? Where’d she stay when she was on the road, and who with?
I roar into the warm wind, “WHAT’S SHE DOIN’ AT MY FUCKIN’ PARENT’S HOUSE?!”
I’m wound tight as the Harley rumbles up the multi-car driveway. Jaxson and I drive right on up. I jump off, unstrapping my helmet to throw it on the grass. My brother’s footsteps are right behind me. We share a look.
“You ready?”
“Shit,” he mutters, but nods. “Yup.”
I raise my hand.
“You’re knocking?” he asks under his breath.
Banging on the door with my fist, I wait. “Gotta be polite,” I say on a wink filled with the devil.
The door opens wide and Dad is standing there.
Seeing him is like being punched in the gut.
From the look on his face, he didn’t expect me. Ever.
He came to the door, protectively. Hearing the violent knock made him tell Mom, Luna and whoever else might be inside, to wait there while he checked it out.
He looks between us, trying to handle his own reaction at seeing his second son for the first time in four years. “Jerald. Jaxson.” His eyes narrow. “Do you have to make a scene?”
“Guess so,” I grate. “Good to see you, too, Dad.”
His lips go tight and he exhales through his nose. Looking at this man is like looking in a mirror from the future. Me when I’m his age. I’m the one who looks the most like Congressman Michael Cocker, and I’m the least one like him.
I’d never wear those boring-ass fuckin’ tan slacks and white button-up, for example.
And I wouldn’t shun my own son for goin’ his own way.
“Who is it, Michael?” I hear Mom ask from a distance, her delicate footsteps growing louder. She sees me and screams, “JETT!!!” and throws her arms open. Dad steps out of the way and I give Mom a big hug, locking eyes with him over her shoulder.
“Good to see you, Mom. You look good.”
“Oh Jett, I didn’t think I’d see you until…oh, you’re here because of…” She pulls away and looks at Jaxson. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
With a frank, coldness Dad answers for Jax. “Because I would have told them not to.”
“That’s right!” I grin with anger behind my eyes. “Can’t say I went against your wishes because we didn’t give you a chance to voice ‘em! See that? Sneaky fucker, that’s your boy!”
“Jett,” Jaxson mutters to rein me in.
“Mom, I love you, and I will take you out for lunch before I leave town, but right now I’m here for Luna. Where the fuck is she?”
“I’m here, Jett,” comes a voice behind my parents. It’s surreal to hear that deep, sensual sound I’ve missed so fuckin’ much, right here in the place where I grew up.
Mom steps back, warily eyeing me because she can see I’m in a real bad mood.
And there stands Sunshine, barefoot in a light blue summer dress, her hair brushed and clean, parted over the side with the shorter part concealed.
Her cheeks are flushed.
She looks absolutely beautiful.
I was going to yell at her.
I was going to yell at Dad.
But I can’t even breathe.
Everyone is silent as she walks to me. “Jett,” she whispers like she wants to touch me, but is afraid to.
“What are you doin’ here?” I rasp.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispers.
“We were just having dinner,” Dad interrupts. The way he said it wasn’t an invitation for me to join.
“I don’t give a shit,” I growl, turning to lock eyes with my father. “It’s just food.”
“Jerald, don’t talk to me like that in my own home!”
“YOU MEAN HOW YOU TALK TO ME?!”
Holding back his temper, he grates, “I do not swear in front of women.”
Luna whispers, “Mr. Cocker—”
Mom cuts her off. “—This isn’t about us, Luna.”
Dad’s voice is high and mighty like he’s talking from a podium. “Yes it is. It is improper and indecent to use that kind of ignorant, sub-human language when ladies are present.”
Jaxson’s deep voice rises in protest, “Dad! Come on!”
I’m so pissed I can’t even see straight. “Did you just call me stupid?”
“Low class people use ignorant language and you weren’t raised low class.”