“Everything alright?” Crash asks as he walks over from the vans that the prospects are swapping product in, and by product, I mean lots of fucking guns and ammo that we distribute to our allies, earning us a shit ton of money. Fury, a Dark Angelbrother, is taking point in watching them, and I shake my head as Blade walks over.
“What happened?” he asks, seeing the tension, and I breathe heavy.
The man was there for Cage, and he has my utmost respect, which is why I don’t mind explaining the call with Clark in front of him.
“My parents showed up at the house, fully aware I was still on the run. Mom barged in—Clark didn’t even get a chance to open the door,” I say, annoyance weighing on me.
Crash growls, while Blade asks calmly, “I’m guessing you don’t get along with your parents?”
“No,” I admit, “Mom tried to overdose me when I was seven in revenge because she thought Dad had cheated. Then proceeded to scream I had to die when Dad managed to get her off me. She spent six months in the hospital before he brought her home. She lied about being bipolar, and they acted as if nothing had happened.”
“Fucking hell.” Blade curses.
“Let's not forget the continuous mind fuck she’d give you over the years and calling you a rapist was bad enough considering she knew you were drugged,again,” Crash adds, anger lacing his voice, and I grunt.
“Clark kicked her out, but not before Dad begged her to allow him to do the school pick up, and drop offs when she begins college,” I huff and run a hand through my hair with frustration.
The fact that he’s trying to use that against her to get his own way when I voiced my opinion in church just angers me further.
“You going to call your dad?” Blade says and I nod.
“I have to. He knows how important it is right now with Clark. She still can’t get over my one-eighty, and he’s trying to use it against her,” I mutter, my frustration tightening my grip on the phone as worry knots in my stomach.
“It isn’t a one-eighty, brother,” Crash says and I grimace.
"I spent five years barely communicating with her. This past year, I basically ignored her, brother. So yeah, it's a one-eighty in her mind. She didn’t know I was struggling with my feelings. She also didn’t know I’d started therapy to be the man she needs," I remind him and he sighs, because he knows I’m right.
“But she’s willing to try, right?” Blade confirms.
I grunt in agreement. “She is, and she’s making the effort. We finally feel like a married couple. I don’t need my parents trying to ruin that, all because we’ve told them to stay clear of our daughter,” I say and Blade nods, his dark blue eyes assessing me. I sigh, “Just say what you’ve got to say, brother.”
“I don’t really got much to say. I’ve seen a difference in you since you’ve finally given in to your feelings. Fuck, Cage used to bitch all the time because you wouldn’t claim her. I’m proud of you,” he says but is still assessing me, and although I’m wary, gratitude fills me.
“Thanks, brother,” I choke, and he nods, then confirms, “You’re knocking your wife up again, aren’t you?”
Crash, mid-sip of his water, sprays it everywhere and I grin as he coughs, then looks at me with wide eyes. I just shrug.
“What the – she’ll kill you, brother. She’s about to start school.” he chokes.
Again, I shrug. "I’m hoping that she’ll trust you again so you can help with childcare," I admit, "And so can your mom."
Emotions flash over his face and Blade laughs.
As I said, he was assessing me and nothing gets passed that fucker.
My phone rings, and I growl, knowing exactly who it is and I grunt, “Guess he was done waiting for me to call him.
“Talk to him,” Blade says, “We’ll go catch up with Bones and I’ll see you next time, brother.”
He pats my back and drags Crash away and I might have chuckled, but my anger takes over again.
“You have some fucking nerve!” I growl as I answer and Dad sighs down the line.
“I messed up,” he admits.
I snap, "No shit!" then sneer, "You took advantage of the fact that I wasn’t home. You hoped you could get through to my wife behind my back. You allowed yours to storm into my home!"
"I didn’t know she would storm in, son. I thought we were going to see if we could watch Willow and get to know our granddaughter," he says in unrest and I just scoff.
