Smolder (Wildwood 2)

“Running as usual,” his father grumbled from where he sat in his recliner. Lane ignored him.

“Thank you, Lane. I do appreciate it.” She caught hold of his hand, not letting him go. “Hey, I was telling Wren this morning how I’d like to have dinner soon and invite you all over. Wouldn’t that be nice? We haven’t had all the kids together since I don’t know when.”

That was because some of them were gone or working. West literally hadn’t come home until a few months ago after being gone for years. Lane took every holiday shift to cover for others so he wouldn’t have to spend Christmas or Thanksgiving with his father.

His mom was a victim in all of this. They all avoided coming to the house because of the old man. And it sucked. It made Lane feel guilty as hell. If he couldn’t be there for his own damn mother, how could he expect to be there for a woman in a relationship? He’d probably shit all over Delilah just like his dad did to his mom.

But he’d do it for his mom. He would. They all needed to be there. As long as they had each other’s backs, they could get through this.

“I’ll have West bring that sweet Harper Hill, and I want you to bring Delilah too,” his mom continued. “I have a feeling both of those girls will become a part of our family someday, so it’s only right they come to dinner. I want to spend time with these girls my boys have chosen.”

His stomach churned. He didn’t want to bring Delilah around and pretend that they were something more than whatever it was they were doing. He’d never told his mom that he and Delilah were really a thing, so she was just jumping to conclusions anyway.

“I can check with Delilah, but we’re really just friends, Mom.” He saw the disappointment cloud her eyes. “But that sounds like a good idea. Pick a date and let us know. We can all work out our schedules as best we can.” He smiled at her, thankful when she smiled back.

“Oh, that sounds so nice. Okay, I’ll call you, I promise—and I’ll call West and Holden and Wren too. This is going to be wonderful.” She made to stand up, her hands on the armrest of her chair, the cat jumping off her lap, but Lane rested his hand on her arm, keeping her in place. She settled back into her chair.

“Don’t get up on my account, Mom.” He bent down and hugged her, kissing her cheek. “Call me and keep me posted.”

“I will, son. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Lane walked out of the house, not bothering to say anything to his father, but he followed after him, all the way to his car.

“You think this makes things all better, just because you come by two days in a row and get your mama’s hopes up? I’m still upset with you, Lane. And so is your mother.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw, and Lane took a deep breath before he turned to face his father. “I really don’t care what you think or if you’re upset with me. I’m doing this for Mom.”

“Why’s that? Got a good case of the guilts because you’re such a shitty son?” His dad sneered.

Lane had no idea why his father said such things, why he loved to provoke him. Hell, he loved to provoke all of them with the exception of Holden. And that was only because their mother protected her baby boy so ferociously that she wouldn’t allow it. He pretty much left Wren alone too, since she was “only a girl.” Direct quote.

His father wasn’t the finest human being on earth. He wasn’t a horrible monster either, but the man had no respect for anyone or anything.

It was best he ignore his father’s rude remarks and move on with his day. Focus on the positive.

Though that was proving to be harder and harder.

Chapter Fourteen

LANE WAS SITTING at his desk, pecking at the keyboard as he wrote up a report. He contemplated texting Delilah to see if she wanted to get together when his brother strode into his office, plopping down in the chair opposite his desk.

“What brings you around?” Lane asked, leaning back in his chair. West was in uniform so he was still on duty and he looked frustrated as hell. “Looks like you got steam coming out of your ears.”

“I hate that Josh prick,” West muttered, leaning back in his chair as well with his arms behind his head, hands linked at the back of his neck.

Lane could get on the Josh-hate train. That dude gave off a bad vibe. He wasn’t friendly and acted like he knew everything. “Why do you say that?” he asked, keeping his tone and expression neutral.

“He wants zero input from any of us. Remember what a dick he was to you? Well, think that but amplified by about a million.” West dropped his arms, slapping the top of his thighs with his hands. “He sucks. Thinks he can take care of our little arsonist all on his own.”

“What’s the scoop with that anyway?”

“Our little fire starter has been quiet. No more fires since the one you were out on last. But that was only a few days ago. He tends to strike about once a week. And they’re always small fires, with the exception of the restaurant. I wonder if he got in over his head with that one,” West said thoughtfully.

“Who knows?” Lane shook his head. “What’s scary is he could start lighting more fires closer together. Higher frequency is when it gets dangerous.” They’d dealt with their fair share of arsonists around Wildwood in the past. Some were caught quickly. A few years ago Lane had caught one red-handed and he’d been proclaimed the town hero during that summer.

Not that Josh or anyone else in prevention gave a shit. They considered everyone in Wildwood a bunch of hicks. Well, the ones he’d met at least, and that included the new guy on the scene.