I watched him for a few minutes before I slowly made my way over to him. He finally noticed my presence and looked up at me with red-rimmed, bloodshot eyes. Making a grand gesture with his arm, he splashed liquor all over himself and the ground. “I killed him, and then I fucked his wife.”
“Yeah, I figured it was something like that.”
He shook his head. “No, no, no. See, I mean I fucked her. Like bent her over the couch, fucked her, and walked out while I was still putting my dick away. And then I did it again and again and again—”
He was going nowhere fast, so I cut him off. “Listen, I hate to say it, boy, but it probably would’ve been easier on you if you had been at fault. You’d be paying your penance with a prison sentence. But that’s not what happened. And here you are, wallowing in your grief instead of living up to the name I gave you.”
When he didn’t respond, I continued, “You didn’t earn the name Savior just for saving my grandbaby, though that was reason enough in my book. No, your Gramps told me all about what you’ve been doing for those kids and their momma. Working your ass off to give them every extra cent you had. And I knew the minute they left town because you changed. It’s why I suggested that Phoenix send you to Devil Springs.”
“What the fuck, Ranger?” he roared and got to his feet. “You should’ve fucking told me! You had no right to mess with my fucking life!”
“Be pissed. I did what I thought was right and I won’t apologize for it. You wanna take a swing at me, boy? I’ll let you have one, and then I’m going to put you on your ass right here in the cemetery.”
8
Savior
Iwas so angry—at him, at myself, at the universe—that I didn’t care about anything anymore. So, I took a swing at a man I loved and respected. And the motherfucker lied. He didn’t let me have one. He dodged my punch and cold-cocked me with a left hook that I never saw coming.
When I came to, Ranger extended his hand to help me get to my feet. “I’ll take you to your Gramps’s place.”
I let him help me up and rubbed the side of my head once I was on my feet. “Thanks, man, but I can’t go to Gramps’s like this,” I said and swayed on my feet.
Ranger studied me for a few long moments before he nodded. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right about that, but you’re coming with me anyway. You’re in no shape to ride right now.”
“Wasn’t planning on riding anywhere. I was just fine where I was until you showed up,” I mumbled.
“You weren’t fucking fine, and you know it. Now, get in the damn truck and try not to puke.”
I dropped into the seat and closed my eyes. As soon as he put the truck in gear to move, I felt like the world was spinning, and my stomach started to churn. I fought it for as long as I could, but it was futile. “Fuck, pull over.”
Ranger pulled the truck over like his ass was on fire and barked, “Out!”
I pushed the door open and fell out onto my hands and knees where I proceeded to puke up a disturbing amount of alcohol with such force I almost choked.
My head shot up when I heard an unmistakable sound, “What the fuck are you doing?”
Ranger put his phone back into his pocket and crossed his arms over his chest. “Taking a picture so you can see how pathetic you look when you’re sober enough to process it.”
“Fuck you! I didn’t ask you to come get me!”
“No, you fucking didn’t. Yourbrotherswere coming. And don’t you dare forget that I’m one of those brothers. This is what we do. Now get your ass up and get in the truck.”
I couldn’t get up. I didn’t want to get up. Ever.
A meaty hand firmly gripped my bicep and pulled me to my feet. And I lost it. If Ranger hadn’t been holding me, I would’ve dropped to the ground again as sobs wracked my body. Ranger held me against his chest like I was a child. He was a silent pillar of strength as every soul-crushing moment from the last few years came pouring out in torrents.
“About time you let some of that shit out. You’ve been dealt some shit cards in the last few years. Wasn’t none of it your fault, but I know that doesn’t make it any easier,” he said.
I didn’t respond. There was no need to because everything he said was absolutely correct, especially the part about it not being easier. Finally, he turned me by my shoulders and helped me into the truck.
I should’ve asked where we were going, but I assumed he was taking me to his place. I didn’t even open my eyes when his truck came to a stop until I heard a small child shrieking, “Papa!”
After the piercing pain in my head lessened, I cracked one eye open and groaned, “Fuck.”
“We weren’t expecting you. Is everything okay?” Keegan asked her grandfather.
“Uh, Gabby, go on inside, and I’ll be there in just a minute,” Ranger said and placed the little girl on her feet.
