“But what’s the point, Flynn?” Sounding like a petulant child, Ace crossed his arms in defiance and glared at him.
“So we can have a better life. They’re in and out of jail, constantly losing jobs and moving because they haven’t paid rent. High all the time, broke as fuck because they blow what little money they earn on drugs. Is that how you want to live?”
“God, no.” Ace’s voice changed, and Flynn thought he might have gotten through to his brother. “I want more than that, but it isn’t fair how they skate by.”
“No, it’s not. But it will catch up to them, eventually. In some cases, it already has. After all, they lost you.”
“They don't care about that, bruh.”
“Maybe not, but they should. And doesn’t that say more about them than you? You’d do anything to stay with your brother.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
Considering the conversation over, Flynn turned off the car and went inside with Ace for a few minutes. He said hello to his brothers, to Barb and Mitch, and then headed for Bristowe’s.
She answered the door before he knocked, and he grinned. “Eager, doll?”
Yanking on his shirt, she brought him closer and planted a kiss on his mouth. “Always eager for you.”
They went into the kitchen, where he was even more pleased to see she’d cooked. “You didn't have to do that.”
Wrapping her arms around him, she leaned against his chest. “I thought maybe it was a hard day for you.” Pulling back, she looked up. “I just realized you cut your hair.”
“It was drooping in my face.”
“How’s Ace?” After asking, Bristowe pulled plates out of the cabinet and gestured for Flynn to serve himself.
“Sullen, as teenagers tend to be. Not miserable about Twin Rivers, but ready to get through it and keep his nose clean.”
“That’s not awful.”
Flynn filled his plate with hamburger steak, gravy, and green beans, feeling guilty that he never remembered to eat enough veggies. “Apparently, his parents are both out of jail for the umpteenth time, and he’s upset about it.”
“Oh, the poor kid. That makes total sense.”
“Yeah.”
Each of his brothers struggled with the decisions their parents made, even knowing it shouldn’t affect their lives. Who gave a fuck what Mr. and Mrs. Useless were doing with themselves? Unfortunately, it mattered every single time. Because it meant they were happy without him. They were content to move on, strung out on God knows what and running from town to town trying to avoid the consequences of their actions.
It fucking stung.
“Baby?”
Looking up, he discovered Bristowe staring at him. “Yeah?”
“You disappeared there for a minute.”
“Sorry.” Shaking his head to clear it, he said, “This is good.”
“Thanks. Oh! I heard about an entry-level case assistant job opening at the county services office.”
His brows went up. “Cool. I’ll apply tonight, assuming I can find it online.”
“I wrote down the name of the place and stuck the note in my purse. Remind me after dinner, and I’ll give it to you.”
“Thanks.” Leaning over, he kissed her quickly before going back to his dinner.
If he got that job, then everything would fall into place. Hopefully, he’d have enough money after a few months to find a bigger place and ask Bristowe to move in. Lock would have the opportunity to either take over Flynn’s lease or find his own place. Sterling would soon turn eighteen and age out of the system, too, and he and Lock would have each other to lean on.
