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My chest pinched again.
Lee was cocky. Arrogant. He was a Sullivan, after all, but he was also good-natured. I often wondered if his happiness was a cover for the shit he’d seen when he was overseas, but he would never admit that. It was probably why he’d come back and immediately applied for a job with the fire department. That kid was always chasing the next adrenaline rush.
I huffed out a breath and felt old—really fucking grouchy and old—as I watched Lee bound up the steps of our aunt’s expansive farmhouse-style home.
The afternoon sun was fading on the horizon, but there was a stream of cars making their way down the long, tree-lined driveway. Tootie would host whoever came to pay their respects. Though I figured people mostly wanted to eat her food and gossip.
The once-white paint on the home’s exterior had faded to a dingy gray. The black shutters were faded and peeling too. As I climbed the steps, the wood groaned under my weight. I bounced once and was surprised when my foot didn’t fall through the rotting wood. I knew the old home was in need of a few repairs, but the more I looked, the more it seemed like the years of neglect and emptiness were taking its toll. I’d have to talk with Kate and my brothers about what we were going to do. Tootie couldn’t live in a house if it was unsafe.
“You coming in or just going to stand around looking lost?” Laughter was laced in Aunt Tootie’s voice. That woman had a zest for life, and no matter how many blows she took, she’d dust herself off and keep plugging away. To be honest, there were plenty of times I wanted to give up, but knowing she’d twist my ear, I trudged forward.
“Get up here.” Her arms spread wide, and I climbed the rest of the stairs to pull her into a hug. She was soft and warm. For a fraction of a second, I closed my eyes and tried to remember the last time I’d gotten a hug from anyone but Penny.
“Your father’s inside. He can’t wait to visit.”
My jaw clenched. “Good day?”
When I released her, Tootie’s eyes looked out over her yard and she smiled. “As good as any are these days, I suppose.”
Without another word, she left me to greet and hug the stream of people walking toward the house.
Inside, the house was bustling with activity. Many people who hadn’t bothered to attend the wake or funeral were filling Tootie’s home, gossiping and catching up on Outtatowner news. Many conversations revolved around the Kings and how they continued to buy up businesses in town. Another fight between a King and a Sullivan. Rumors about how Outtatowner was changing and the many ways it was somehow the Kings’ fault.
I cut through the crowd, purposely ignoring the eager smiles and wide-eyed recognition. Toward the back of the house, in the large living room, my father sat alone on the sofa. My stomach twisted. His arms were braced on his knees, and his unfocused gaze stretched out onto the carpet.
“Hi, Dad.” I cleared the gravel from my throat.
His head moved up, locking eyes with me, but behind them, there was no spark. No recognition.
So much for a good day.
“Hi.” Dad raked a hand down his face, his classic move when he was trying to hide the fact that he didn’t remember someone. “Good to see you.”
“Wyatt,” I provided.
“Wyatt. Yeah, I know. Good to see you, Wyatt. Damn shame about Bowlegs.”
I nodded and looked around for Penny or my brothers. I stood awkwardly in front of my father.
When I caught the eye of Duke, my oldest brother, from across the room, he excused himself from the conversation and strode toward me. His beard was longer than I remembered, and he looked pissed. More than usual, even.
Duke was the only person I knew capable of being a bigger dick than I was.
When he closed the distance between us, I held out my hand, and we shook.
“Glad you could find the time.”
“Been busy.”
“Sure.” Duke knew damn well I had obligations and a contract to fulfill. When I didn’t take the bait to argue with him, he turned his attention to Dad and handed him the glass of dark liquid in his hand. “Got this for you, Pop.”
Dad accepted the glass and took a sip. “I asked for Captain and Coke.”
My eyes met Duke’s. We all knew Dad couldn’t have alcohol with his medication. Duke made a barely imperceptible twitch of his head in reassurance. “Tootie said no booze.”
Dad grumbled and sipped his drink again. “Worse than a warden.”
“How long are you staying?” Duke asked me, crossing his arms.
