Rough Edge (Tannen Boys 2)

“I’m sorry, Rix. Do you know what happened?”

He sounds genuinely apologetic and worried, though probably more about his Challenger than either of our injuries. That car is his baby the same way Foxy is mine. “Your safety disk burst because it was a cheap piece of shit and you were demanding too much of it. I told you that you were maxed.”

“Can you fix it?”

I roll my eyes even though he can’t see me and follow it up with a haughty sigh. “Of course I can. It’s gonna cost you, though, because I’ll have to pull the whole system and check everything for fire damage. And send it out for paint work.”

“Of course. Blank check, just fix it. Please.” I swear he sounds on the verge of tears, and I wonder what kind of pain pills he’s on. Good stuff, apparently.

“I’ll be in touch when it’s done.” I hang up, glaring balefully at the Challenger like it betrayed me.

Dad looks at me, lips curled in a smile. “You are something else, honey.”

The pride in the pat he gives my shoulder says that we’re okay. I’m so glad.

I thought that he would be mad and would be disappointed in me, and he was. But he’s getting over it quicker than I expected. Maybe we didn’t give each other enough credit? All I know is that I have my dad back, closer than ever before, and I still have racing, the garage, and Brody.

It couldn’t be more perfect.

“Where do you want to start?” Dad asks, excitement shining in his eyes.

Boys and their toys. Well, and me and my toys. We’ll do anything for them.

Chapter 29

Brody

“Mark, will you say grace?” Mama Louise says. Everyone bows their head and he repeats the same thing he does every night. But tonight, he adds to the end . . .

“ . . .and thank you for bringing more good people to the table. Amen.”

We lift our heads, and Mark doesn’t so much as look at Erica, but I know he was giving his stamp of approval. Not that I need it, and not that he hasn’t already given it and warned me not to fuck this up because she’s way out of my league, but it’s a kind gesture. Erica smiles his way, only to finally be greeted by his blank stare. Fucker.

We pass the platters around, serving ourselves meatloaf, green beans, new potatoes, and cornbread. “Do you have any Tabasco?” Erica asks Mama Louise.

Blink. Blink. Blink.

All around the table, brows knit together.

“Of course, dear.” Mama Louise grabs the Tabasco sauce from the pantry and hands it to Erica.

She starts shaking the bottle over her meatloaf, and I can’t bite my tongue any more as horror settles in my stomach. “What in the world are you doing?” I ask, editing myself for Mama Louise.

Erica looks at me, attitude and challenge in her expression. “You put ketchup on yours. I put Tabasco on mine.”

“That’s disgusting,” Cooper announces. “Ketchup and Tabasco.”

Brutal jumps in. “This coming from a kid who puts ranch on literally everything.”

Erica cuts off a too-big bite with her fork and moans loudly as she eats. “Mmm, delicious as always, Mama Louise. I think this is even better than Hank’s. Especially with the little extra kick added.” She’s proud of herself, her smile so big I can nearly see the food in her mouth.

“Thank you, Rix.”

As she cuts another bite, she adds, “Know what else is good, Cooper?” She’s got his attention now. “Ice cream with popcorn sprinkles.”

“Can we try that, Mom?” he instantly begs Allyson.

There is zero shame or regret on her face until Allyson says yes. “Of course, Cooper. Rix can make you some tonight after we play cornhole. Bruce and I need to go over and check the progress on the house, so that’d be perfect.”

Well, shit. Erica just walked us into getting cockblocked by a kid. And I know damn well that Brutal and Allyson aren’t checking the progress of their house in the dark. I guess that’s how they avoid being heard fucking . . . they get someone else to watch Cooper and take off in the truck. More than I need to know about my brother, but I’m damn sure storing that trick away for Erica and me. And also, I’m never getting in Brutal’s truck again.

“Sounds like a plan.” Erica fist-bumps Cooper from across the table.

Shayanne starts humming under her breath, and I instantly recognize the tune. Another One Bites The Dust.

I grin, not fighting it anymore. I’m all in with Erica, for as long as she’ll have me. She’s it for me.

And I know I’m it for her. Because I love her just as she is and accept all of her, even the prickly parts that made her a badass on the day we met and a badass every day since then.