Golden Trail (The 'Burg #3)(222)

“It isn’t?” Tripp asked.

“Nope,” Roc answered.

“Why’s she like him then?” Tripp asked.

“We already talked about it,” Rocky answered, “because he’s sweet.

“No, she digs my six-pack,” Jasper informed them and Layne pressed his lips together as he saw his mother’s back go straight and Devin’s back start shaking with silent laughter.

“Jasper Layne, I do not want to think of why Keira Winters would know you have a six-pack,” Rocky stated severely.

Jasper, always quick, replied, “She saw me at a pool party last summer.”

This was not true. As far as Layne knew, Jasper didn’t attend a pool party last summer.

“I hope that’s it,” Rocky muttered.

“What I don’t get is,” Tripp started, obviously helping his brother out changing the subject, “shit happens for a reason.

“Sorry?” Rocky asked.

“Well, you and Dad had a thing and he, like, has photos of you. He showed us one. And, you know, it was kind of meant to be, you know?” Tripp said.

“I think so,” Rocky responded hesitantly.

“What I’m sayin’ is, like, see, Dad got shot which tweaked you, so, that happened for a reason. I mean, it isn’t good, you know, Dad having to get shot and you gettin’ tweaked and all but, since you guys were meant to be, something had to happen for you guys to get back together and I reckon it had to be big,” Tripp explained.

Layne felt his chest start burning and he noted his mother’s head had fallen to Devin’s shoulder but this didn’t penetrate as he listened to his son and his woman.

“Yes, honey, now I understand so I guess you’re right,” Rocky replied.

“So, what I don’t get… and, what really sucks… is your Mom died for no reason,” Tripp went on, Vera’s head shot up, Layne’s body shot up and so did Devin’s.

Devin turned and shook his head at Layne and Layne scowled at him but held himself in check.

“Sometimes,” Rocky said softly, “sometimes, I guess, stuff happens for no reason.”

“Our Mom can be harsh,” Tripp declared.

“Uh… okay,” Rocky replied.

“But, it’d suck, losin’ her,” Tripp finished.

“She’s a good Mom and she loves you like crazy,” Rocky told him.

“Yeah, that’s why it’d suck,” Tripp stated.

“You won’t lose her,” Rocky assured him. “So, you shouldn’t think about that.”

“I’m not thinkin’ about that. I’m just thinkin’, I’m sorry you lost yours,” Tripp returned.

Layne closed his eyes again.

“I’m sorry too, Tripp,” Rocky said.

“I am too, Roc,” Jas put in. “You’re the shit so I reckon your Mom taught you to be the shit so I bet she was cool.”

Layne opened his eyes.

“Yep, Jas, she was super-cool,” Rocky replied.

“Will you show us pictures of her?” Tripp asked.

“Sure, honey,” Rocky answered.

“Cool,” Tripp muttered.

There was silence and Layne started to move but something happened, something he couldn’t see but it was something big and Layne stopped when Tripp spoke again.

“I gotta say somethin’,” he announced.

“What, honey?” Rocky asked.

“You’re gonna think I’m a dork,” Tripp told her.

“It’s impossible for you to be a dork, you’re Tanner Layne’s son and just like him, so there is no way you could be a dork,” Rocky assured him.

“You think I’m just like Dad?” Tripp asked, his voice intense.

“Sure, a younger version of him, maybe, but yes.”

“I don’t look like him,” Tripp noted.

“So?” Rocky prompted.

“Jas does,” Tripp remarked.

“Yes, he does but that doesn’t mean Layne didn’t give you both the best parts of him and those have nothing to do with how hot he is,” Rocky stated.

There was silence and then Tripp said quietly, “That right there is why I gotta say somethin’ dorky.”

“So say it, Tripp, jeez,” Jasper prompted.

“Okay, Jas, but it’s gonna sound stupid.” Tripp was hesitant.

“Just say it, dude,” Jasper pushed.

“Okay, well… yesterday sucked and I didn’t like watchin’ you go through that, Rocky, and I was thinkin’ last night about it and thinkin’ I didn’t like watchin’ that but why wasn’t because it sucked, you havin’ to go through that but because you were hurting and I didn’t like watchin’ you hurt so I reckon that means I love you,” Tripp announced, that burn in Layne’s chest deepened significantly and Tripp went on. “So, I know that’s dorky but your Mom died and my Dad got shot so I guess you should tell people how you feel so they know.” He paused. “So see, stupid.”

There was again silence before Layne heard Rocky reply. “Not stupid, baby, and thank you. That feeling is mutual… for both you guys.”

“Cool,” Tripp whispered.