But so am I. Although it’s not so much confused, more I’m resigned to the fact that not all my rediscovered dreams are going to align. Like I said to Talon, he’s got a lot of ground to make up and Hayes has different responsibilities now. “It’s not the right time for Hayes, Talon, and me. They’ve got too much going on, including a child to support.”
King looks at me, shaking his head, “I have to say, kiddo, I’m shocked.”
“So, you thought I’d just, what? Jump straight back into where I was with them after four years?’’
“Pretty much. That’s exactly what you’re doing with Puck.”
“He’s different.”
“Because he doesn’t have a kid?”
“Not at all.”
“That makes no sense.”
“It doesn’t have to make any sense to you, King. Tal and Hayes say all the right things, but at the end of the day, they’ve both flatly refused to sign the dissolution forms, plus they haven’t found a way to deal with their ongoing issue with Reid. You both keep reminding me how Puck did, and now you’re suggesting I’m being unfair to them?” I roll my eyes at King, but he ignores it and answers me back in typical King style—blunt.
“You’re being unfair and unreasonable.”
“Fuck off.”
“Hold up, don’t get your knickers in a twist.” He brushes his hair off his face, perhaps giving me the time to chill out. “Sounds to me, Raney, they’ve had it tough.”
“You were just giving me shit about them.” I scoff.
“It’s my fucking role in your life. Who’s going to double check you?” he bitches right back.
“Koz?”
King scoffs his disbelief. “Koz can’t say no to you. But he’s not meant to.”
“He can, and does say no.”
“Stop chucking a tantrum and listen.”
I purposely mimic locking my lips, staring right through him to let him know how I feel about his forthcoming lecture.
“You got your bullshit attitude from Jenn, just so you know,” he says seriously.
And that makes me smile.
“You’ve got to do you, Raney, and I get that, but don’t cut your nose off to spite your face. If you need time, tell them but don’t put a stop to something before it’s even had a chance to restart.”
I agree with a nod before reaching over and pressing the lift button so we start moving again. “Irrespective of all that, I don’t want anyone making a scene tonight.”
There’s a beat of silence, and I check over my shoulder to catch King and Koz staring at each other before they both start laughing. Really hard too. “Fucking hell, Raney, you say some funny shit sometimes. You’re coming out officially as an omega and packing in the space of a few hours. Tonight is going to be top shelf bullshit.”
I ignore them, changing the subject. “I’m surprised no one has rappelled down the lift well to see what the hold-up is.”
“They know we haven’t had the chance to speak privately yet. And lucky we did, huh!” Dad grunts, flicking his eyebrows up judgmentally high.
“Seems like we’ll have to continue this chat later,” I say, watching the counter drop to the basement, snuggling into Koz’s side. “Hey, Dad, if you go at Puck like that again, I will key your bike.”
Dad goes super quiet on me, and when I look at him, he’s wearing his typical shit-stirrer expression. “You really going to pack Puck? Bit fucking young, isn’t it? Is he even old enough to drink, yet? Not sure how I feel about my kid being a cradle snatcher.”
“Couldn’t fucking help yourself, could you? I can’t believe you. Besides you already know he’s nearly twenty-two! What a stupid thing to say,” I mutter back at him, snapping my mouth shut and grinding my teeth. Because if those doors open and we’re arguing then all my uncles are going to jump on the bandwagon and our squabble will roll into an epic and endless shit show.
I glare at the door, counting down the seconds until I can get out of here. Talking business with King is like he’s a different person, talking personal, and he’s an asshole.
