Bad Seed

It wasn’t that I didn’t see what she, or my father for that matter, saw. I just knew Ike better than they did. I knew how he could be when we were alone together. And I was supposed to throw what we had away for a chance at a guy I had no shot with?

She was a terrible influence. But I loved her all the same.

I placed my phone back into my pocket and felt my body relax. I splashed some water on my face before reapplying the little bit of makeup I’d managed to put on, then I rolled my shoulders back.

I still had two hours of this banquet I needed to stick out.

And I needed to do it with poise.

CHAPTER 4

GRANT

“What the fuck?”

“Surprise,” I said.

“What the fuck!”

“Is that all you can say?” I asked.

“Get the hell in here,” Hollis said.

He pulled me into his house, his eyes bugging and filled with shock. He threw his arms around me and clapped my back, and I did the same. I’d missed my best friend. I’d missed talking with him over the years. The last time I’d been by was for Laura’s funeral. I’d stayed long enough to say goodbye to Laura, hugged Hollis while he broke down, then left.

Without even saying hello to anyone else.

It hurt to be back in this place. Glen had done way more damage than even I was willing to admit. My father kicked me out because he didn’t have a spine, but Glen kicked me out because he didn’t trust me. After everything I did to try and prove myself, he still thought I’d take advantage of his daughter.

It had pissed me off, and I harbored that anger for a very long time.

“I haven’t seen your ass since the funeral,” Hollis said.

“This isn’t an area I choose to frequent,” I said.

“And for good fucking reason. Get in here and get a damn beer.”

“Sounds like a good thing to me,” I said.

“It’s fucking good to see you. Emails don’t cut it nowadays.”

“It’s what I got with a company to run,” I said.

“How’s that shit going anyway?”

“Construction is what it is. It’s been good to me, but the company’s in a bit of a shakeup.”

“How so?”

“Wish I could talk about it. But I’m really in town to try and forget about it.”

“You got somewhere to stay?” he asked.

“Not yet. The trip was impromptu.”

“Then crash here. I mean, I know my dad’s across the road and shit, but he hasn’t been the same since Mom died.”

“Why the hell are you living across from your dad anyway?” I asked.