Page 111 of Forever Golden
She attempts to take my wrist when I turn to leave, but I snatch away.
“You have to know I didn’t know this would happen. Please, Blue Jay.”
I ignore her sorry ass and start up the steps, but when I do the back door swings open. While I thought it’d be Scar coming to see what all the racket is, I’m staring up at Mike instead. And his eyes aren’t set on me. They’re on Mom.
I’m half-expecting him to go to her, try to bring her inside, so my guard is up. If he evenlookslike he’s thinking about inviting her into this house, I’m fully prepared to burn the whole fucking thing down before I’d let that happen. But to add to tonight’s surprises, Mike opens the screen to let me in, then closes and locks it behind me, leaving that woman and all her bullshit outside.
“You all right?”
I peer up when he asks, shocked by the sincerity in his gaze.
My body slumps against the door and I draw in a deep breath when I nod. “I’m okay.”
He continues to stare, like he’s unsure whether to believe me or not.
“She tried calling earlier today and I hung up as soon as I heard her voice. If I thought she’d try to stop by, I would’ve given you a heads up before coming home. You shouldn’t have to deal with that.”
I’m not sure how to feel. I have no memory of Mike protecting me, considering my well-being. Nor do I recall him ever not being Mom’s doormat.
“It’s fine. She doesn’t get to me like she used to,” I say.
After hearing that, he eventually nods and steps back toward the stove, then stirs whatever’s in the pot while flashing a look at me.
“You’re probably gonna say no, but I’d love it if you’d eat with me and Scar. I—”
“Sure.”
His stare darts toward me again, and I think the only person more shocked that I just agreed to share a meal with him, is me.
There’s a dim smile on his face and he goes to the cabinet to pull down a third plate.
“Wash your hands and I’ll set the table. And grab your sister on your way back.”
I nod. “Okay.”
Slow steps carry me toward the hallway, but before I’m out of his sight, Mike speaks again.
“Thank you,” he says gravely, and when I look into his eyes again, I don’t miss that they’re filled with emotion.
This is a small step, and I’m not sure if there will be others, but for tonight, it seems I’ll have a father for the first time in a long time.
And… I’d forgotten how nice that feels.
Chapter 42
BLUE
Blue: Saw my mom last night and she knows a lot more about my brother’s case than anyone realized. She talked a lot about Paul Ruiz. If you can bring her into the station, she may be willing to give a statement, but I’m not sure what good she’ll be. Looks like she’s started back up with meth.
Roby: I’ll send a patrol car out to look for her, but fair warning, people in her condition are hard to find if they don’t want to be found. You know we’ll do our best, though.
Blue: I’ll let you know if I see or hear anything else.
“Anything you’d like to share with the class?” Uncle Dusty teases when he catches me sneaking a text in between customers.
Embarrassed, I slide it back into my pocket and smile. “Nah, just Jules being Jules.”
“Say no more,” he says with a laugh. “Order’s up for table twelve.”