I’ll teach her to mess with me. I’ll get her and Max both.
24
Max
Tess is like a sweet addiction. One taste and you just can’t stop until you get another one. And another. She’s over at the picnic tables eating with the Vipers’ old ladies and helping Marcum’s kids eat. She’s laughing and so breathtakingly beautiful. I almost feel guilty for touching her, not enough to stop though.
“She fits in well, boy,” I look up as Marcum sits down beside me. I’m on the steps of the old garage across from the yard. I scoot over a bit, to make room for the old bastard.
“That she does. Don’t even think she knows just how well.”
“A smart man might think about getting his shit together here, so he can claim her right,” Marcum says.
I snort, I can’t help myself. That’s rich coming from his ass. “Are you actually giving me advice on women?”
“Would you listen if I did? You always have been a headstrong, stubborn, son of a bitch,” Marcum says, lighting up a cigarette. I look over at him, the smell of tobacco filling the air. Some days it’s like looking in a mirror. I’m not sure how we’ve kept the secret as long as we have. The only one who knows Marcum is my old man, is Dusty, the road boss of the crew. I may associate with the old man now, hell, I even trust him. But his fucked up life was never what I wanted for my own. Which just goes to show you, never say never, because I sure capped any of the old man’s mistakes by a fucking mile.
“Probably, not. Too much has been done, now. If I’m going to have any time with Tess. It’s not fucking going to be with me behind bars, wishing I could touch her. I’d rather they kill me now.”
“She told Cherry she thought you’d get out pretty easily.”
“Tess is smart, she also believes in fairy tales and wishes coming true. You and I both know the world don’t work that way.”
“If wishes were horses…,” he starts.
“We’d all fucking ride…” I end, and he laughs, snuffing out his cigarette on the cement.
“So you’re taking her with you? Going to become what? Some beach bum?” he asks.
“Why not, I got the money. Might as well make sure I enjoy what time I have.”
“And Tess? What happens if you’re discovered?”
“You’ll make sure she’s good,” I tell him, and that’s not a question.
“Yeah, I will. First flitter you’ve messed with I can stomach. I tried to warn you to stay away from that damned Renee.”
“Yeah, that you did, old man, but then again if you listened to your own advice your dick wouldn’t have had more pussy than the local animal shelter, and I wouldn’t have ten brothers and sisters floating around Florida.”
“Eight, damn it. Can I help it if your old man’s soldiers come out shooting bullseyes? Just remember you got that same makeup. I want grandkids, no fucking lie, but that woman deserves better than to be knocked up alone.”
“I’m taking care of it,” I tell him, but I can’t help the involuntary gut check, remembering that day on the beach. My dick hardens at the memory of emptying inside of Tess. Fuck me, I hope I am not like my old man.
“Good enough. How about you go and meet your baby sisters? I can’t help but notice you’ve been avoiding being around them since you got out.”
“No one knows, right?”
“I told you ages ago; I wouldn’t say. I don’t see what the fuck you want to keep a secret for. I’m a fucking great father. God knows I’ve had enough experience. I sure as hell can’t be any worse than that bitch’s brother was.”
I shake my head as he mentions my mother. It’s an old argument, and he’s not exactly wrong. “Lay off Raymond, he was good in his way.”
“Old coot was crazier than Bessie bugs.”
“He did his best,” I argue, getting up.
Marcum stands up beside me shaking his head, “Just like I said boy, always were a headstrong, stubborn, son of a bitch,” he says slapping me on the back.
“Are you really running off with that rack of bones over there, Dawg?” My shoulders sag as I hear the voice, and I look over my shoulder as Jenna comes out of the garage. I had been feeling pretty good.
Marcum gives Jenna a look that would bring the paint off the side of a barn, but the woman foolishly ignores it. “Remember what I said about that damned whore you messed with before, boy?” Marcum asks.
“Yeah?”
“It goes double for this one.”
Jenna again seems oblivious as Marcum leaves to walk over to the tables and join the crowd.