Stone (Pittsburgh Titans 2)

Mr. Dumelin flies to the ground, and it takes me a moment to realize it’s Stone standing there over his dad. He’s sweaty but dressed in jeans, so I know he didn’t go out for a run.

Mason pushes himself up into a sitting position, and rather than ordering him to stay down, Stone actually helps his dad up.

But not by the hand, and not in a nice way.

He grabs his father by fistfuls of his coat, whirls him around just like was done to me moments ago, and shoves him into the wall so hard, it had to hurt.

Stone snarls at his father, “If you ever put your fucking hands on Harlow again, I will end you.”

I’m stunned. He just threatened to kill his own father, although I know rationally, it’s his anger talking.

“Stone,” his mother exclaims as she rushes forward. She puts her hand on Stone’s shoulder. “That’s your father. You talk with respect.”

Mason swivels his head sharply to look at his wife. “I don’t need you defending me, woman.”

Nancy shrinks back and lowers her gaze to the floor. Stone hasn’t taken his eyes off his father, though. He speaks in a low growl that sends a cold shiver up my spine. “I want you to leave and never come back. You are not welcome here or anywhere around me. If you come back, I will call the police.”

Stone doesn’t wait to see if his father nods in agreement. I’m sure he figures his father won’t agree to anything. He starts to loosen his hold, but Mason tries to assert his masculinity and control by shoving Stone’s hands off him. “You don’t tell me what to do.”

I don’t know if Mason is just so self-centered and egotistical that he would never think Stone would do this, but the next thing I know, Stone is ushering his father along the hallway, one hand on the back of his coat and the other on his arm. Mason is no match for his son’s strength, and although he struggles, Stone has no problem dragging him down the stairs. I rush that way and bend over the railing to watch him open the exterior door, shove his dad out onto the sidewalk, and shut it again where it auto locks.

Mason bangs on the door, but Stone calmly turns away and trots back up the staircase. He doesn’t spare me a glance but moves straight to his mother who is wringing her hands with worry.

He doesn’t touch his mother, but he speaks gently to her. “Mom… you do not have to go with him. You can come into my place right now and stay as long as you want. You do not have to stay with him ever again. All you have to do is say the word, and I will take care of you.”

My eyes sting with tears at such a generous offer. His mother has never been there for him, and he did not witness what I saw his father nearly do to her. I guess Stone suspects that she may not be as complicit in his father’s delusions of grandeur but maybe is just too fearful to be anything other than what she is.

It’s incredibly sad and pathetic when she shakes her head and mumbles, “I’m sorry, but he needs me.”

She scurries past Stone, then me, and heads down the staircase. Stone follows her but as he passes me, he says, “Don’t go anywhere.”

He has yet to look me in the eye.

I assume Stone is going downstairs to make sure his dad doesn’t muscle his way back in. And I’m certainly glad he showed up to take care of the situation. But I don’t answer to his beck and call, and I remember that he’s the one who broke things off. I’m most certainly not going to wait around.

I head to my condo, unlock the door, and once inside, shut it behind me.

I lean back against it and sigh, my heart heavy that Stone once again had to see how much his parents don’t care about him. I hate that for him, and I hope it’s something he’ll be able to reconcile one day.

Odin is sleeping on the couch and makes a slow exit off of it, stretching luxuriously with a big yawn. He starts to walk my way but halts when my door is pushed open. Given that I’m still leaning against it, I am pushed out of the way, and Stone comes inside without an invitation.

“What are you doing?” I say as I whirl on him.

Odin growls, taking a cue from my exasperated tone.

Stone’s eyes move from me to Odin, and he points at my dog. “Don’t you even start in on me. I’m here to apologize to your mom, so give me a fucking break.”

His tone is harsh and any normal dog who doesn’t understand words but operates off vibes would’ve continued growling.