“BJ. Food?” Issac sighs, slumping into the seat beside me. His eyes are ringed with dark circles, his lips in a grim smile. His shirt is crumpled, his hair unkempt.
“Don’t call me that.”
Issac yawns, dragging his phone onto his lap. “Pizza?”
I shrug.
I’m not even hungry.
Issac throws suggestions at me as I drain my beer, leaning over to crack open another.
“I’m not letting you fall into this pit of despair you’re creating. You need to come back to work.” Issac meets my eyes, clenching his jaw.
I raise an eyebrow, glugging the beer. “Issac.” My voice is gravelly, almost like it’s not mine. “Fuck off.”
Issac grins, shaking his head. “I’m letting you wallow tonight, but you need to meet with your dad's lawyers tomorrow. Your mom sent me.”
I close my eyes, knowing this is important. Mom doesn’t ask twice. “Whatever. I’ll sign whatever they need me to?—”
Issac avoids my gaze, tapping away on his phone. “Your mom said it’s not that simple.”
I frown. “What?”
Issac shrugs, dropping his phone back to the armrest. “I didn’t ask, and she didn’t offer to explain. She just said go and meet the lawyers—and soon. Otherwise, the shit will hit the fan.”
Good old Mom.
Growing up, I’d heard that phrase all the time; if things weren’t sorted immediately, Mom would utter those very words down the phone to realtors, business acquaintances, and anyone else who dared to cross her.
My heart aches at the idea of her fiery spirit being dampened by the loss of the one who sparked it.
Fuck, this is hard.
“I’ll sort it,” I mutter, holding out a beer. “But not tonight.”
Issac refuses the beer with a shake of his head. “I’ve got Devon tonight.”
“Shit, don’t let me keep you.” I groan, waving at him to go.
Devon is his cute daughter from his failed marriage, the breakup still raw.
“She’s at dance class until seven.” Issac forces a smile. “I’m good for a bit.”
We sit in silence, watching mindless shit on the television until the pizza arrives.
Issac pushes a steaming hot pizza box into my hands and pats my back.
“I’ve gotta go, Blake, but eat that, and get some rest. I’ll come and pick you up tomorrow to meet the lawyers.”
I nod stiffly, knowing getting out of the house will get Barbara off my back at least.
“Oh.” Issac stops, tapping the doorframe with a smile. “Your mom said get some sleep.”
My mother is a fucking mystery.
How she knows what I need, and even when, is a mystery.
I nod curtly, opening the box to find a Meat Feast Pizza awaiting me.
