Golden Trail (The 'Burg #3)(135)

Dev gave him a stare and then looked back at the TV.

“’Night, old man,” Layne muttered as he turned to the stairs.

“’Night, boy.” He heard Dev mutter back.

Layne was halfway up the stairs when he heard Tripp say, “Jeez, Jas, you’re gonna go over your limit of texts and Dad’s gonna be pissed.”

He hit the top of the stairs to see Tripp at the desk and Jasper with his back to the weight bench, knees bent, soles of his feet to the bench, his cell phone held over his face as he replied, “Dad’ll be cool. He gets it about takin’ care of your babe.”

“True enough, Jas,” Layne put in and Tripp swiveled around to look at him as Jasper’s head turned and his eyes focused on Layne. “Still, you go over your limit, I’ll be pissed.”

“She’s hot, Dad, gotta keep her hooked so no one moves in,” Jasper explained.

“Boy, why do you think I bought you that goddamned car?” Layne asked, he’d stopped and he crossed his arms on his chest. “Right about now, when you’re feelin’ like that, you stop playin’ it cool and her ass is here or your ass is there, you stake your claim and you don’t do it through f**kin’ texts.”

Jasper sat up, dropping his feet to straddle the bench. “You cool with Keirry bein’ here when you’re not?”

“Just as long as I don’t have to set up a crib in the corner of your bedroom, that is, if I win at hand to hand combat defendin’ my son against a gonzo Joe Callahan,” Layne answered.

Jasper grinned and crossed his cell phone over his heart before he lifted it in the air, “Swear. Gentleman. Totally.”

Layne stared at his son then looked to Tripp who was also grinning at him and who decided to add, “Giselle Speakmon’s parents are totally devout. When I get in there and we hook up, there won’t be any cribs for me either, Dad, because I reckon they’ll make her wear one of those chastity belts, knowin’ Jas is my brother and all.”

Layne felt his brows go up and he beat down any thoughts of his youngest being sexually active. Jasper was the first born boy, his leap to manhood Layne took in stride. Tripp was still just a kid in his eyes. Layne was not ready to go there, not by a long f**king shot.

Still, he asked, “You like her?”

Tripp nodded. “Got her talkin’ to me and she’s cool and she can be funny, in a quiet way that’s kinda awesome.”

“She at church today?” Layne asked and Tripp nodded again, his smile getting bigger.

“Yeah, she was the blonde who sat next to TJ in church.”

Layne felt his body lock as he looked at his boy. “Right next to him?” he asked quietly.

Tripp’s grin faded at his father’s tone and he answered quietly back, “Yeah.”

“She’s here after school too or you’re there. Jasper will be your ride,” Layne ordered instantly.

“Her parents won’t –” Tripp started and Layne cut him off.

“Then you call in Rocky. Even if her family’s religious, they won’t question Roc. They know she’s here, they’ll know Giselle is good. I’m not here and Roc’s not here but at her apartment, you’re over there with Giselle and I’ll talk to Rocky.”

“Dad,” Tripp’s voice was still muted. “She’s cool. She’s there because she’s religious. I don’t even think she likes TJ.”

Layne felt his gut squeeze. “She was sitting right next to him, Pal.”

“She doesn’t like him but he way likes her,” Tripp replied and Layne’s gut twisted.

“She’s here or you’re there. You tie her up one way or another, Tripp, you get me?” Layne asked and Tripp’s face got pale.

“Do you think –?” Tripp started to ask and Layne interrupted him again.

“I don’t think, Tripp, you don’t either. This is now, we move on from here and you tie Giselle up and you’re glued to her at Youth Group meetings.” Layne stared at his son and finished, “Now, do you get me?”

“I get you,” Tripp whispered.

“She got a cell phone?” Layne asked and Tripp nodded. “Got her number?” Layne went on and Tripp nodded again so Layne nodded back. “Go text her now.”

Tripp slid from the chair and whispered, “Got it,” then walked to Jasper’s room.

Layne looked at Jas to see his son’s focus was intent on him and he ordered, “You have his back.”

“Giselle’s a favorite, Dad,” Jasper muttered.

“You have his f**kin’ back,” Layne returned, Jas stared him in the eyes and nodded. “I want an address or the make, model and color of his car by tomorrow, Bud,” Layne ordered low.

“You’ll have it,” Jasper assured him and Layne walked close to look down at his boy.

“We’ve passed finesse,” Layne told him quietly. “We’re goin’ forward hard.” Jasper nodded up to him and Layne continued. “You don’t gotta be cool about this. He cottons on, I don’t give a f**k except you and your brother are in the middle of this shit. That you play cool, you play smart, you have Tripp’s back, you listen to your gut and you communicate with me. You walk down the halls, you know who’s walkin’ behind you. You have a chat with a Youth Group kid, you pay attention to what’s goin’ on on their face, not what’s comin’ outta their mouths and you also pay attention to who might be listenin’ in. You drive down the road, you check your rearview mirrors, you see a car more than once on your ass, you get a plate. You with me?”