Skid smiled back and said something before reaching down for Baylor. She settled on his hip like she belonged there, then waved at her mother as he carried her toward the back to the staff daycare. I stood there watching them whisper back and forth, and it hit me in a way I didn’t expect.
Skid was a good bit younger than me, and up until a few weeks ago, he had no plans past his next drink or next ride. He had club responsibilities, but other than that, he was a free man with zero responsibilities. Now, he had a woman at his side and a kid who trusted him enough to leap into his arms.
He had a family. A real family that was just his own.
I had nothing close to that, and I might’ve felt a little pang of jealousy.
Yeah, it surprised the hell out of me, too.
I didn’t like it. I should’ve been happy for Skid. He deserved to be happy, but it seemed like another reminder of what I didn’t have and possibly never would.
Damn. My long night was about to turn into an even longer day.
10
PRESLEY
“Ineed Nana’s ring.”
“Why?”
“I need to sell it.”
Concern marked Mom’s face as she asked, “What in the world are you talking about?”
I walked over and sat down on the sofa, and Mom was quick to follow. I glanced around the living room, and it looked just like it did when I lived there. Same pictures. Same sofa. Even the same lamps.
The house was in the center of a good neighborhood where you didn’t feel the need to always lock the doors. Kids rode their bikes day and night, and people always stopped to chat anytime they were out walking. Even though I hadn’t lived there in years, it still felt like home.
But sadly, it gave me little comfort as I explained, “Lila Kate ran into some trouble and…”
“What are you talking about? What kind of trouble?” she gasped. “Is she okay? Is she hurt?”
“No, Mom. She’s fine. It’s not like that.” I grimaced. “At least, not yet.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means your daughter made some really bad decisions, and because she found herself in the mess of a lifetime, I have to do what I can to fix it. So, I’m asking for Nana’s ring.”
“Why?”
“So, I can sell it.”
“Absolutely not,” she replied, already shaking her head, “That ring is…”
“Mine,” I cut her off. “Nana gave it to me.”
The ring had been tucked away in a little blue velvet box since the day Nana died. I’d always dreamed of wearing it as an engagement ring. I didn’t want to sell it. But I didn’t have a choice. I knew Nana would understand.
It didn’t matter how big or small the problem, my Nana had always promised to be there for me whenever I needed her and giving me that ring was her way of keeping that promise.
I placed my hand on my mother’s as I told her, “I wouldn’t ask if I had any other option.”
Dad was sitting across the room and made a noticeable shift in his chair, but he didn’t say a word. He just sat there, watching me the way he always did when something was wrong. Mom’s back stiffened as she leaned in and asked, “What the hell is going on? What did Lila Kate do?”
“I can’t get into it.” I folded my hands together, hoping she wouldn’t see them shaking as I admitted, “It’s not good. We need money and need it fast.”
“Oh, that doesn’t sound good.”
