Bad Seed

“Glutton for punishment I guess,” he said.

I knew that Hollis and his dad had had a huge blowout after Glen had kicked me out. Their relationship had never been the same because of it, but Glen was still his father. I had always admired Hollis’ commitment to family.

“So you gonna crash or what?” he asked.

“Depends. How much beer you got on hand?” I asked.

“As much as you need,” he said, popping the top off of a bottle and handing it to me. I chuckled as I took a sip of my beer. If Hollis found out the truth about why I was here, it was going to be a problem. I was glad Hollis had offered for me to crash at his place because I figured my visit wasn’t going to end well. And I would need to mitigate the anger and hostility as much as possible, which I couldn't do from a damn hotel room. I tipped the beer up to my lips and focused on Hollis as I ran the plan through my mind.

Fuck. I really hoped he wouldn't be pissed at me after all was said and done.

“So, living across from your dad. Did you buy this place right after Laura died?” I asked.

“Nope. Couple years after. I bought the place because of a string of emails.”

“Emails.”

“Yep. From people in the community. They were worried about Dad. Said he was being a recluse and slacking in his business. Sitting in restaurants and staring off. I moved back to keep an eye on him. Which is good, because I’m keeping an eye on Ike, too.”

“And Ike is?”

“Oh, shit. Yeah. Ike’s Theresa’s bullshit boyfriend. He’s an asshole, that one.”

There we go. That was what I needed to focus on. I remembered him from Laura’s funeral, but I couldn’t let Hollis know I already knew who this Ike guy was.

“You don’t like the guy or something?” I asked.

“I don’t. He’s nice enough when he’s around other people, but I know it’s all an act. He was a nerdy little shit in high school, but the past couple of years, he really thinks he’s hot stuff. I see the way he treats my sister when he thinks no one is looking, and it’s all I can do not to beat the shit out of him on the front lawn.”

“Does he put his hands on her?” I asked. I felt my blood boiling at the mere idea of someone putting their hands on Theresa .

“You think he’d still be breathing if he did?” Hollis asked.

I nodded in understanding. “Have you told her how you feel about this guy?” I tried.

“I did, and she didn’t take it well. She—”

My brow ticked with confusion as Hollis gathered his words.

“She went through a real rebellious phase. Her senior year was rough, and then it ran smack dab into Mom dying. I brought it up to her, and it made her even angrier, and we didn’t talk for a while. That’s why I took a job on the other end of the state. Until I started getting those damn emails.”

“So you came back to look out for your father and started looking out for Theresa.”

“Yep. She’d be pissed if she found out, though. So I told her I moved back to look out for Dad and seek out better opportunities at the department.”

I shook my head and chuckled. “I still can’t believe you’re a cop, dude. After all the shit you and I did growing up?”

Hollis laughed too. “I know, right? After Mom died, I figured I should get my shit together. I actually love being a cop.”

“Glad to hear it, man. I sure wouldn’t want to be on the other end of your baton though,” I laughed. “So, what do you suppose to do about this douchebag Ike?”

“That fucker makes one wrong move again, and I’ll slap him in some damn cuffs so fast he won’t know what’s happening.”

I nodded and took another swig of my beer. “Well, speaking of Theresa, what is she doing these days?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Ah, she’s Dad’s receptionist.”

“She’s what?” I asked.