Page 62 of Jackass

“Charlie is safe here. No one can sneak in here with the way Nav has it wired up. And even if they could, every man here would protect her with their lives.”

“I know. But when you’ve been living in fear as long as I have, it takes a little time to work it out of your system,” I admitted.

“Sam, I want to apologize.”

“That’s not necessary, Blade. I know you were looking out for Jack, and I appreciate that more than you know.”

I looked over his shoulder and saw Jack watching us with a frown marring his handsome face. Focusing on Blade again, I told him, “I know what I did was wrong. Using Jack to have Charlie was selfish. But I wouldn’t change it. The only thing I wish I had done differently was not keeping her from him.”

“Yea, there are more than a few things I wish I could do differently.”

I tracked the direction of Blade’s gaze over my shoulder and saw Beck talking with Ryder. Beck was holding Tabitha to her chest, and the little girl’s head was lying on her shoulder.

“We can’t change our past mistakes, Blade. We can only learn from them and hope to make better choices in the future.”

“He loves you, you know.”

“I know,” I replied, smiling. “He told me. And once my divorce is final, I’ll tell him too.” He raised an eyebrow in question, and I quickly added, “He deserves to hear it when I can say it without the baggage.”

Blade nodded his head. “I want you to know I won’t vote against you when he claims you after the divorce.” Blade slid his hand into his back pockets. “I just want him to be happy. He deserves that.”

“We both want the same thing.”

Before he could say more, Jack stood behind him.

“There a problem here?”

I hated the hurt I heard in his voice.

“No, Jack. Blade and I were just talking.”

Blade stayed quiet. He didn’t defend himself or try to make Jack understand.

“Come on, let’s get a drink.” Jack grabbed me around my waist and dragged me with him. I heard Blade sigh as we walked away.

“You need to forgive him, Jack.”

“The only thing I need to do is love my family,” he argued.

I stopped moving, and Jack turned in question.

“He is your family, Jack. He’s been your family longer than I have. What’s that saying,bros before hoes?” I stood there with my arms crossed, hoping he would see reason.

Jack growled, “Did he call you a hoe?”

I dropped my head back and stared at the sky.

“Oh my God, Jack. No, he didn’t call me a hoe. He wouldn’t do that. He’s your best friend,” I cried, throwing my hands in the air.

Before I walked away, I told him, “Fix this, Jackass!”

The party lasted all day. Everyone was having a great time. Beck had asked me to grab some more napkins from the kitchen, and when I walked in, I found Carrie arguing with a prospect.

“I’m not sure how you got in here…”

“I was invited, asshole.”

“Carrie?”