“For you? They could, but why would they? Just because Score’s running his own racket down here doesn’t mean it’s unconnected to Burl’s gig.”
Her brother using the patriarch’s first name really brought the reach of the family home.
“You think he’s still working for Burl?”
Wyatt shrugged. “I don’t know, I’m just saying, wouldn’t be smart for him to set up on his own without the nod from his father. Maybe he gets that by agreeing to run money for him or act as a go-between for whatever… Alotta drugs come through this state. Won’t be much the McDades aren’t into.” When he hunched over the table again, she copied, moving closer to him. “You’ve gotta be careful who you talk to about that family. Like who hears you talking. If you say anything negative—”
“Believe me,” she said, sitting up straight again. “I got that.”
Score had said it to her, more than once. What he, and apparently Wyatt, didn’t understand was that she couldn’t decide how to go forward without talking about the McDades. Whether she wanted them or not, they were going to be a key influence in her relationship with Score… if she had one.
“You think about marrying this guy or having kids with him, you’ve gotta know you won’t get to decide much about their lives… Then when they’re old enough, they’ll be expected—”
“To do what Burl says.”
Another thing she’d been told.
“If you know everything… what are you doing here?”
The truth was pathetic. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go.” Pity bled into his gaze. “You’re all I have left.”
“Shy,” he said, leaning over to snag her hand. “Not used to being by yourself, are you?” She shook her head while resenting her eyes for warming. “Being alone is tough, but sometimes it’s necessary, you know?” She nodded, keeping her focus on their joined hands. If she looked at him or spoke, Shyla feared tears might slip out; that was the last thing she wanted. “You want to be with this guy, be with him.”
“He’s lying to me,” she said.
A desperate sob escaped before she managed to seal her lips again.
“Not because he wants to, because it’s necessary.”
That was his advice. If she couldn’t handle an unconventional relationship with Score, then walking away and being alone was the only option. The alternative was staying with him. If Shyla chose that, she’d have to accept being low on his list of priorities. Their relationship would always come after his family and his work… whatever that may be.
Seeing Wyatt had been worth journeying from one end of the state to the other. Not only because he told her what Beeks and Score wouldn’t, but because it reminded her that he wasn’t such a terrible person.
“How long you got left?” she asked after composing herself.
“All going well, less than a year.”
She smiled. “Will you call me? I mean, will you come see me?”
“Sure,” he said and managed a brief laugh. “I always figured staying away would stop you getting involved in anything shady… Boy, sis, did you surprise the hell out of me?”
His wide smile gave her permission to relax and laugh. “He’s not all bad,” she said. “It’s just how he was raised.”
“Not an excuse I have is what you mean,” he said, resting his weight on his forearms. “What do you do on a date with a guy like Score McDade? Can’t quite picture him going to a movie or out dancing.”
“Chess,” she said. “We play chess.”
“Wow,” he said, honestly surprised. “You used to be good at that. You gotta let him win every time?”
“Men who get mad about losing are insecure,” she said, fighting to subdue her smile for a second before letting it loose. “Phoenix isn’t insecure.”
“You light up when you talk about him… You’re really in it.”
In love. In lust. Infatuated. Inconsolable. Incompatible. Inspired. Inexperienced. Shyla was in it all. Wherever she chose to go, Score would always be a part of her psyche. He’d been her first. The first man to open her eyes to dedication in love beyond what it meant to care for family.
She loved him, but didn’t know if she’d ever be able to handle being with him.
After spending as much of the day with Wyatt as was allowed, Shyla gave him her cell number. Although the phone was still at Score’s apartment, she did intend to get it back eventually. Either way, she’d promised to write to her brother, something she probably should’ve been doing for years.
Catching up on basically their whole adult lives didn’t take long, on her side anyway. Wyatt prettied his up and skimmed over a lot of details, so Shyla filled the time with stories of Bernard and Stan. Mending their relationship would take time, maybe a long time, but Score was right to remind her that Wyatt was her family.
Back in her motel room, the intention was to eat and get some sleep before making any decisions on what to do next. Around midnight, still staring at the ceiling, Shyla’s questions wouldn’t let her sleep. That was why she rolled onto her side and picked up the phone to call Information.
Even in the nights she’d paced in anticipation of Score coming home, Shyla had never called to hurry him or ask for an ETA. Yet, there she was, listening to the ring in her ear, waiting, terrified and exhilarated at the same time.
For a week, she’d had no contact with anyone connected to Score. It kept ringing. Her eyes closed as her head questioned the virtue of a call. She had no idea what was in Score’s
