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“And you didn’t, right?”
I roll my eyes like he can fucking see me. “Really? Do you think I’d let some drugged out piece of shit shake me down for some money?”
“Did you report it to social services?”
“Fuck no, I didn’t. I know that the only reason why the kids are here is because that lady with the county is trying her damnedest to keep them with us. I don’t understand it, but I’m not gonna question shit. Things are good here, and I’m not about to rock the fucking boat. Shit could go two ways. She could rip the kids outta here due to safety reasons, or she could track his ass down and try to get him help so he can get the kids. And there ain’t no way in hell those kids will ever live with a fucking drugged up cunt.”
I can hear my father sigh on the other end. “Have your guys been able to find anything out about him?”
“Not a fucking thing. It’s like he’s a ghost.”
“If he’s strung out like you say he is, then he’s more than likely to be homeless and unreachable until he decides he wants to be found.”
“I’m thinking about making a few trips myself. See if I can find him out at some of the street camps. Maybe ask around.”
“Don’t do that, Tylan. Don’t draw attention. Keep the kids safe and your eyes open. I’m sure he’ll be back again when he needs something from you.”
“I’m not about to live my life looking over my shoulder, Pops. I’ve done that and it ain’t happening again. Shit has got to change. I’m not playing these fucking games with some douchebag.”
“Tylan,” he warns.
I feel my blood start to boil, this entire situation pisses me the fuck off. “I’ll fucking take the kids and run before I deal with anything like that.”
“Don’t go jumping the gun, son. Keep them safe. You never know what he’ll encounter on the streets, especially if he owes anyone money for his habit. They may find him before he finds you again.”
“I hope you’re right. The shop is way too close to this house for me to feel one-hundred percent okay with the situation.”
“Everything will work out. Now go give my granddaughter a kiss for me.”
“Okay, Pops. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Hey, Tylan?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t forget to tell her that I had a talk with the dog, or you’re going to have a very unhappy little girl on your hands.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, thanks.”
“Just trying to help,” he says with humor in his voice.
It’s been one month since Ryder and Roxy’s supposed father paid Lick a visit. The days have been hard on us. A prospect sits outside of the kid’s school every day to make sure they’re safe, and Ryder has asked several times what’s going on, but Lick refuses to answer him. The few times Ryder has come to me, I’ve given him the half-truth.
“So, what you’re saying is that we aren’t safe here?” Ryder questions me again.
“Your uncle wants to make sure that there isn’t any trouble. You know how he is.” Wiping down the table, I try to keep myself busy.
“You know you’re a shit liar, right, Jenni?”
I toss the towel at him. “You may think you’re grown, Ryder McCoy, but it’s very rude to cuss in front of a lady.”
He laughs. “Yeah, tell that to my uncle.”
“Well, I can’t get him to stop, but I’ll surely try to keep you from starting.”
I understand Lick’s need to protect the kids. I feel the same way, but our ways are completely different. I don’t like how he’s handled the situation, and he doesn’t appreciate my constant disapproval of his actions. But Lick is right about one thing. If Maggie finds out about Rob, there’s a chance that she will have to find him and offer him help to get clean so he can be the parent they deserve. So, because of that, every time Maggie calls or pays us a visit I don’t mention it. The kids are thriving. Ryder’s walls are slowly crumbling, and Roxy is a happy little girl. We’re doing a good thing here, and how much the kids are changing is proof.
“What are you doing?” Lick asks as he wraps a hand around my waist. Moving my hair away from my neck, he places a kiss behind my ear. My skin pebbles under his touch.
