When his head lifts and his tears are apparent, he makes the decision for both of us. Eating up the space between us, he slaps one hand around my back and pulls me to his chest. “Don’t blame yourself. You loved Colby and his death was an accident that I should have prevented.”
Did I though? Did I love Colby? I’m not so sure I did.
“It’s not your fault, Dad. Like you said, it was an accident. It’s time for us both to move on from it. Start talking about him more. Remember the short years we had with him.”
He steps back and a smile breaks on his face. “He sure did love you. Thought you were the best brother in the world. Wanted to be just like you.”
My heart twinges at his words. I was far from a good brother. I was awful to that little boy. But Colby didn’t see it that way. That sweet little boy didn’t know any better. He always wanted to play video games with me, but I always gave him the dead remote. Never once let him try for real.
“He was a good kid,” I say. He really was a good kid.
Breaking the tension, Dad wipes his tears away and straightens up. “So, a baby? This is a big change, Lars. You sure you’re ready for this?”
“I am. I’ve had a lot of time to think about it and I’m ready to step up to my responsibilities. It also helps that I’m pretty drawn to the baby’s mom.”
“So, what? You been hiding this girl somewhere? She better have consented or I’ll kick your fucking ass.”
“She just needed some time alone to think about things. She never actually ran away. And no, she has nothing to do with that Josh kid’s disappearance.”
“Willa Mack, huh? Never would have guessed that one. After that whole scandal that you took part in, I thought for sure the girl hated your guts.”
“She did. But, we’ve moved past it.”
“Pastor Jeffries sure as hell hasn’t. That must be why he stopped by the other day looking for the two of you.”
Not surprised.
“Madison is just jealous. You can’t take anything that girl says seriously.”
Dad slaps a hand to my back. “I believe you.”
“You do?” I question, feeling my forehead wrinkle in surprise. Dad’s actually taking my side over Madison and Lynn’s.
“She came onto me a few different occasions. Caught her naked in my bed once and told her that if it happened again her and her mom were both out on their asses.” He snatches some papers off the desk and looks them over awkwardly, like this entire conversation is making him uncomfortable
“Holy shit.” I laugh. Though, it’s not funny.
He drops the papers back on the desk. “I’m walking them both out this afternoon. Lynn and I were never in love. It was all her own fantasy. Much like Madison's with you. Lynn is planning to take Madison to her dad’s in Colorado where he’s enrolling her at some academy. Apparently this isn’t the first time she’s had an unhealthy obsession. Of course, Lynn will place most of the blame on you, because that’s how Lynn is. But we all know that Madison needs help.”
“Be prepared for an all-out war in the courtroom.”
Dad chuckles. “I’m the best divorce lawyer on this side of the country. I covered all my tracks before I even proposed. She won’t get a penny.”
There’s a long pause while I try and figure out how to tell Dad that I’m leaving Redwood. In the end, I play it safe for the time being and tell him I’m just leaving for a few days and he gave me his blessing.
Today was good. I’m walking out of this house feeling like I can finally fully breathe.
Now, I just need to haul ass and get back to Anderson’s to see Willa before she goes on her secret mission for Zed.
23
Silence engulfs the vehicle as I sit inside. Once again, I borrowed Anderson’s SUV. I make a mental note to thank him for all of his help this week. He didn’t have to agree to let me stay in his home, but he did. Although, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t just a kind gesture like I want to believe it was.
I shoot Lars a quick text and tell him I left early and I’ll be back soon. I really didn’t want to see Lars before I came here because I knew there was a chance he’d follow me just to make sure I’m safe. Zed is parked directly across the street from me and I made a promise that I’d keep everything between us. These guys might play dirty, but I don’t.
His eyes bore into mine as I stare back at him. He’s sitting behind the wheel of a black Escalade, wearing a pair of sunglasses and a black beanie on his head. Zed wears so much darkness and although rumors have it that his heart matches the shade of his clothes, I truly believe that he has the ability to feel very deeply. He’s just chasing monsters like the rest of us.
When he gives me a thumbs up, I open the driver’s side door and feel like I’m stepping out into the gates of hell. It’s been over a week since I’ve been in this house and to say I never wanted to return is an understatement. I don’t even want my belongings inside. Nothing in there is of any value to me.
One step after another, I find myself at the door. My fingers wrap around the old, rusted handle of the screen door and when the familiar scraping sound of the bottom hits the metal of the frame, my stomach turns. I push open the main door that is never locked, nor latched, all
