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“What do you want, Chance?” I asked, tired of the confrontations between Hellfire and me. I didn’t get why they kept popping up. It was damn frustrating.
“Came to check on you. Shee and Chatter chased the asshole who shot at you but lost him in a crowd.”
“Thanks for checking. We’re fine.” Nana stood watching, her arms crossed against her ample bosom. “What else do you want?”
“A talk.”
“There’s nothing to discuss, Chance.”
“Chey, that guy, that wasn’t Celt. Can you see that?” Chance said, and I rolled my eyes.
“Sorry, I didn’t realise Celt had a twin.”
“Chey, don’t be stubborn. Celt never did drugs and booze, and certainly not together. Zeus was behind that shit.”
“Chance, do you think I didn’t know? I tried to reach Celt, but he was too ready to listen to that psychotic bastard. Celt raised a fist to me. Not just once, Chance, and I’ll never forgive him. And meanwhile, Hellfire hated me, blamed me for leaving, didn’t you? Don’t deny it; it’s in your eyes. What woman wants to stay with a man who punched a child from her belly?” I hit out angrily at Chance. He paled. “Could you kill your child, Chance?”
“Fuck no!”
“Then don’t come in here telling me to forgive Celt. That’s your game plan, absolve Celt’s actions and allow him into Jesse’s life. Ain’t happening, Chance, yeah Celt may have taken a bullet for Jesse, but that does not make him a father. Jesse is aware of what Celt did to us. I’ve not elaborated but explained the bare bones to Jesse. And yes, Jesse knows there were good and great times, but the evil Celt dished out can’t be forgiven. No, I haven’t poisoned Jesse against Celt. I gave him the simple facts and let Jesse decide. Should Jesse wish to see Celt, he’s old enough now, but I can tell you, Jesse hates Celt for depriving him of his twin.”
“Nana, that morning, I never knew. Honestly thought it was lies Chey was making up,” Chance said, turning to Nana.
“That was a piss poor apology, Chance,” Nana replied.
“Yeah.” Chance rubbed a hand over his chin before looking at us both.
“Truly, I am sorry. Should have moved against Zeus earlier than I did. What happened to you is on my head because I didn’t act in time.”
“Chance, not even knowing what transpired with my granddaughter would have made you move any quicker. Now there’s no point raking over the past, so please leave. My wishes remain unchanged. Hellfire is not welcome here,” Nana said, and Chance stared into her eyes for several long moments.
“Yeah, I understand, Nana; I just wanna let you both know I’m sorry I failed you.”
“Chance, you neglected Cheyenne the most, as did Celt. Goodbye, Chance,” Nana muttered and turned back to the oven. Chance dipped his chin in acknowledgement and left the kitchen, shutting the door quietly.
“Think the past will lie down and die now, Nana?” I asked. Nana looked up from where she was mixing spices and shook her head.
“The history between you and Drew has not been resolved, and nor will it be unless you speak. Chey, you were a child when you fled; you’re an adult now. Your heart grieved Chey but never recovered from the betrayal. That remains unknown. Celt is no longer Drew, and I barely see anything of Drew within Celt. Celt has smothered Drew; I cannot sense the boy he was then. But your leaving damaged Celt too.”
“Nana, I asked Drew to leave and gain a wonderful future. Celt chose to hit me and stay with a bunch of thugs. I hope Celt thinks those lost years and losing his son makes it worth it,” I said bitterly.
???
Celt stared at Chance in the inner sanctum. Celt was pissed, which is how he’d looked for the past week. Chance had resorted to calling Phoe to talk to Celt, but not even she’d broken through the anger. And Celt was angry. Chance could taste the rage that Celt was emitting.
“Fuck, you apologised?” Celt asked, sounding incredulous.
“Owe you one too, brother. Shouldn’t have let Zeus near you,” Chance admitted. Shame rushed through him; he’d protected most of his brothers. Yet Celt had slipped through his fingers and lost everything he had held dear.
“No, you owe me shit. That bitch owes me an apology!” Celt growled, and Chance lifted an eyebrow.
“How you work that one out?”
“Because Chey’s had my son fifteen years. Jesse’s nearly a man. Do you think I believe Chey’s story that she was frightened of me? Chey never knew when to fear anything, Chance, and you know it,” Celt spat.
“Woah, Celt, you beat Cheyenne,” Chance rebutted. Chance hated uttering those words.
“Yeah, and Chey should have known something wasn’t right. I’d never been violent. Bitch should have stayed and tried to talk shit out,” Celt said, hurt in his voice overriding the anger.
