Tank (Moonshine Task Force Book 2)(33)
I want to fucking pee on his leg so she gets the hint. “He was actually injured in the line of duty,” I say between clenched teeth. “So we’ll probably be leaving soon.”
She turns to me, mouth in a line and shrewd. “Thank you for gracing us with your presence Daphne, but next time, please do wear your hair up. It’s the respectable thing to do.”
I’ve had about all I can take of this whole situation and I’m feeling a little ornery. Letting go of Trevor’s hand, I pull my curls up into a ponytail. “Like this? So everyone here can see the love bites on my neck? By the way, I got those less than an hour ago in my childhood bedroom. If you happen to find an empty condom wrapper up there – no need to worry about daddy – it was ours,” I point to Trevor. “And thanks to the workout he gave me, I’m tired and I think we’ll be going. Merry Christmas.”
When I turn around, my mom’s jaw is hanging open so wide she could catch flies with it. “C’mon, let’s get the fuck outta here.”
I drag him through the crowd and out into the fresh air of the semi-cool night. The air helps to ground me, and I thank God I don’t have to do this more than a few times a year.
The car that brought us is waiting and we get in without looking back. As it pulls away, I give him a grin. “Sorry, it pissed me off how she kept hitting on you.”
He chuckles, pulling me to him with an arm around my neck. “Don’t be, it was fucking hot, and I think now I see why you resisted me asking you to quit so much.”
As we make the drive back to Trevor’s house, I can finally feel myself beginning to relax. I’m nothing like those people I just left, and as long as I stay true to myself, I never will be. At least I hope not.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Trevor
“Sit right there and I’ll bring you a drink.”
I kinda love how my mom still assumes I can’t fend for myself. On the other hand, I’m a grown man who’s lucky to still have the use of his body after everything I went through. “I got it, Mom.”
“Let me take care of you, Trevor,” she leans in giving me a hug. “Let me enjoy the fact you’re still with us.”
Hardly anything anyone else has said hit me the way these words from my mom hits me. I have to bite back the wave of emotion those simple words bring forth. I’m not even sure why this affects me more with such a punch in the gut. I watch as she goes into the kitchen before I turn my attention to my best friend, Renegade.
“How are you?”
He looks up from where he’s rocking the carrier my niece is sleeping in with his foot. Dark circles form half-moons under his eyes, and I’m pretty sure he hasn’t seen a razor in a week. “Tired as fuck,” he admits. “But I’ve never been happier in my life.”
I can tell, even with the haggard appearance, he has an easy smile and relaxed body language. “How much sleep are you running on right now?”
He tilts his head back, doing calculations in his head. “About three hours, which isn’t bad, but it’s like the fourth day of it. I let Whit sleep last night since I knew your mom would need help.”
I nod, proud of him, proud of the man he’s become, and hope like hell I can be the same kind of man. Maybe one day I can be the same kind of partner he is, sharing in the care of my own child. It’s something I’ve been thinking about since Stella was born mere days ago. Part of me wonders if I’m still too selfish, the other part would love to talk to Blaze about it. Either way, I know it’ll all come in its own time. Forcing things has never worked for me.
“How’s the leg?” he gestures to the brace.
“Good actually,” a grin spreads across my face. “I gave it a good workout last night. It was a little sore this morning, but feels good. The physical therapist told me one day it would all click and I would feel close to a hundred percent because the bone would be healing. I think I’ve gotten to that point.”
“Wipe that fuckin’ smug ass smile off your face,” Renegade throws a pillow at me. “I can tell by one look at you how you tired it out. You’re getting your rocks off and I’m grabbing a cat nap.”
I laugh, grabbing the pillow with one hand before it hits my face. “You wouldn’t change it, so don’t be a hater.”
At that moment, Stella starts screaming, a loud noise I’m not sure should be coming from such a little baby.
“Right on time,” Renegade reaches over, grabbing the diaper bag they brought in with them. “You wanna pick her up?” he raises an eyebrow at me. “She’ll scream until she gets this bottle.”
No time like the present to learn how to be an uncle, I guess. Getting up off the couch, I go sit over next to him as he rifles through the bag, pulling out a container, a bottle of water, and an empty bottle.
Pulling the carrier over next to me, I look at my niece. Her face is scrunched up and red, her blue eyes filled with water, and she’s screaming bloody murder. I reach down, picking her up out of the carrier. “Hey Stella,” I soothe, supporting her head and bouncing her in my arms. She’s so fucking small, I’m scared to death I’ll either drop her or crush her with what bulk I still have. “Why would a pretty girl like you make such an ugly face?” I tease, reaching out to wipe away some of her tears. She stops crying, glancing up at me as I continue to bounce her. “Remember me?” She tilts her head to the side, almost as if she’s contemplating whether she does or not.