“So I’ve been told.”
“Yes, but you have your father’s eyes.”
“I do.” Nodding my head slightly, knowing I can’t trust her.
“I mean, you can thank me for that.”
My father doesn’t have her eyes… he didn’t even have a fraction of her personality. You’d have to stay around long enough for that to happen, instead of just pawning your kid off on whoever was around.
I let the interaction continue, knowing I shouldn’t trust her, even if it seems like she’s appearing nice and sincere.
“And who’s your friend?”
Stepping in front of Eli, as if I need to protect him. “Just a friend.” I nod my head. “We really need to get going, though.” I mumble as I look back at Eli, motioning for him to turn around with me.
I’m putting distance between us and her faster than most people would with their grandmother.
“She’s up to something.” I whisper as he hands me my shoes back, and I slip them on.
“Yeah, seems that way, doesn’t it?” he leans over, putting his shoes back on before righting himself. “I’ve met her once when we were kids…” he trails for a moment. “I’ve arrested her twice as well.”
“What!?” I laugh out loud as we cross the street back to his bike.
“Yeah.”
“Does she remember?”
“Meeting me when I was a kid? Nope. The rest? I have no idea.” He shakes his head as he kicks over the seat, holding out his hand for me, and I slide up behind him.
We’re almost back up the canyon to the house as I tap him on the shoulder, motioning behind me, but he nods his head without even looking, telling me he saw and is aware.
When the car rolls up next to us, I half expect her to veer us over the edge, but she doesn’t. She just nods to the side before pulling in front and braking, so we have no other choice.
I mean, sure we have some other choices, but it’s this, or she follows us back to the house and figures out where we’re staying.
Eli slows the bike to a stop before he stands. He doesn’t turn it off, but reaches for me. We both take our helmets off as she gets out of the car and walks back towards us.
“You know, you look familiar.” She says to Eli as she closes the distance to us. “Have we met?”
“Maybe.”
“Terri…” I’m warning her.
“Oh, that’s right.” She laughs out. “You were the cop who arrested me a few years ago.”
“Well, you got into a bar fight and smashed someone’s head through the window… for taking your chair.”
She says nothing to that, only looks at me and leers. “Drew, does my grandson know you’re dating a cop?”
My lips part, finally able to see where this is going. Finally realizing she’s going to use this as leverage to get the money she’s been desperately trying to get for years.
“Terri.” I’m not even sure what I’m trying to say.
“I’ll take your surprised expression as a no.” She laughs again.
“Go figure, my son, the felon, would have one child follow in his footsteps and one who will take down the entire family.” She laughs. “I don’t know who would be more of a disappointment.”
Somehow she’s able to read me like a book and use the wound that hurts the most.
