“Oh, I have no doubt, which is why I’m glad as fuck she married Samantha, who is the sweetest.”
Oh yeah, he’s a girl-dad through and through. I can only hope I do half as good a job with Star.
“You’ll have to come for lunch one day. Mary would love to have you. Bring your girls.”
Again, that feeling of absolute rightness at him calling Citi and Star my girls hits me, and I find myself absently rubbing my chest.
“We’ll get something set up for sure.”
I hear footsteps heading our way. I turn and catch sight of Demi, one of the two new employees here.
“Sorry to interrupt, Ambros, but there is an issue with the payment system, and Mr. McDougall is causing issues at the juice bar again.”
“Alright, I’m on my way.”
She hurries out as I grab my T-shirt from the ground and slip it on.
“Problem?” Jason frowns.
“Nothing I can’t handle. McDougall is just a handful.”
“I can kick him out while you sort out your other issue if you want.”
“I appreciate it, but it’s not like that. McDougall is eighty-seven and was diagnosed with dementia four months ago. He lives in the nearby memory-care facility, but the man must have been a fucking ninja in his former life. He escapes at least twice a week and comes here. He doesn’t remember his wife, kids, or grandchildren, but he remembers this place because fifty years ago he owned it. Now he comes back and bosses people around.”
“Ah shit. I can’t think of a worse way to go. Having all these people that love you and not remembering a single one.”
“It’s not easy on any of them, that’s for sure. I just don’t know if it’s worse to be the one who forgets, or the one who’s been forgotten.”
* * *
As I haul in the last box, Dice throws himself on the sofa with a groan. “I need a nap.”
“You carried two boxes.”
He flips me off. “I was covering for Powers last night at the track, and that fuck with that rookie driver of theirs was just begging me to remove his teeth.”
“Ah, yeah, I’ve heard he’s an acquired taste.”
“Acquired taste? I’d rather drink piss than deal with him again. Serious, don’t know how Midas hasn’t skinned the motherfucker and rolled him in salt.”
“That escalated quickly.” I chuckle, handing him a Coke.
“Wait until you meet him and you’ll see. So…” He glances around the room. “Nice place, just one question. Does Citi know you officially moved her in?”
I grin, taking a sip of my Dr. Pepper. “Not exactly, but I know she’d never be comfortable going back. Would you, after some prick broke into your house while you slept and stole your kid?”
“Not a chance. And I’m not arguing about moving her in. I think Citi and Star have thrived having you at their back. But if she’s half as stubborn as her sister, I can’t wait to see her reaction when she finally figures it out.”
“Oh, that’s half the fun.”
He laughs, shaking his head. When his cell phone chimes, he pulls it out before laughing.
“What?”
“Hoops is at the track.” He flips his phone around so I can read the text he just sent.
This motherfucker is going to be eating through a straw before the day is over.
