“What? You look like a fucking camel in the desert with how desperate you are for a drink. I had no idea when I asked you to meet for drinks that you’d actually need one so bad.” Rolling my eyes, I took a much-needed swig.
“Two words—Jackson. Avery.” I set my tumbler down on the skinny ledge meant to hold drinks. With my hip rested against the railing, I looked off, getting lost in the sunset.
“The doctor from Grey’s Anatomy?”
My eyes narrowed before blinking repeatedly trying to understand what the fuck was going through my friend’s head.
“No, dumbass. The girl from the pool and my son. Two separate people.” I shook my head.
“Oh, damn. Sorry, I’ve been on a serious Netflix binge.” He cleared his throat before adding, “So, pool girl? And what the fuck did the kid do now?”
Deciding to start with the one thing weighing heaviest on me as of lately, I pushed the thought of Avery to the back of my mind just long enough to pick Jayson’s brain.
“Jackson got himself into some gambling trouble.”
“Again?” He shook his head.
“Yeah, but this time it’s getting out of control. I don’t know what the fuck to do with him.” Let’s face it; I was a sperm donor at best. I didn’t raise Jackson. I wasn’t the most paternal of men. Now, I had a grown kid in his mid-twenties who I saw on occasion, mostly when he needed something from me—like half a million dollars.
“I mean, he’s an adult, right? Ever think about letting him fall on his face and forcing him to learn how to get up on his own?” He shrugged.
“Says the hockey player.” I rolled my eyes. “Call it guilt, but I didn’t have any part of raising him, or even knowing he existed until a few years ago. I don’t want to coddle him, but I don’t want to let him down either.” Twirling the large cube of ice in my glass, I brought it to my lips for another sip, enjoying the burn as it slid down my throat.
“So, how deep of shit are we talking? Ankles? Knee-deep?”
I wish.
“Fucking drowning. He owes some guy half a million dollars that he gambled away. Apparently, the guy thought Jackson knew what he was doing—boy was he wrong.”
Jayson coughed, choking on his beer. “Excuse the fuck out of me?” His voice came out raspy.
I answered with a slow nod.
Saying it all out loud for the first time to someone else … it sounded crazy. Like something straight out of a movie.
“So, what are you going to do? Just pay it for him?”
“I have to.” I swallowed, hating the taste of my answer.
“Nah. Fuck that. You don’t have to do shit.”
“He’s my son, Jay. I don’t know what kind of guy Jackson is dealing with. And to most people, that kind of money is something to come after someone for. I can’t put him in danger.”
“To be fair, he put himself in danger. But I get it. So, you pay off his debt … then what? How do you know he won’t do it again?”
I shrugged as my eyes fell to my feet in discomfort. “I’m not sure. That’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. Maybe you can help me figure that out.”
“I’m not a dad, Spence. Not sure how much help I can be.”
“Yeah, I know that. I just … I don’t know. I told him I’d get him the money—which I will—but I wanted to figure out what I’d say to him once I paid off the debt. I don’t want to risk the chance he takes the money and runs.” I sighed.
“Maybe make him attend Gamblers Anonymous meetings? It’s a start at least.”
“I don’t know, man … I think it may be more serious than that.”
“Yeah, asking Daddy for half a mil isn’t a small ask. I wish I could help, but I know you’ll figure it out.” He clapped me on the back. “I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night. What do you say I get us another round? Maybe another drink will spark an idea or two.”
“Please.” I drained the rest of my glass.
