“No shit,” he bites out. “Yet, she basically has my son living in a shoebox.”
“Well, did you ask her about it?” Grandpa chimes in. “Maybe she’s got good reason.”
“I asked,” Sterling sighs, “but it’s Lexi. There was only so much she would say before she shut down. Didn’t help that her sister’s staying with her now, so we had to keep our voices down. But she just fed me some shit about not wanting to live off my money, which is supposed to be the whole damn point of me giving her tens of thousands of dollars every month. I mean, right? Or am I missing something?”
“She say where all the money’s going?” Ricky asks.
Sterling lets out another frustrated breath. “I asked if she was using some of it to pay for school or saving for a better house, but she ripped me a new one for even thinking it. All she said is that she doesn’t need a bigger house and that she’d never use money meant for Jax on herself. She got so pissed she stormed off and grabbed a bank statement to show me it’s all in an account for him.”
I arch a brow. “All of it?”
“Based on all the fucking zeroes I counted, yeah. She can’t be using more than a grand a month of what I send her to take care of him. The rest of it’s just… sitting there.”
We’re all quiet, and I’d never say what I’m thinking out loud, but I’m sure as hell biting my tongue.
And maybe even fighting a smile.
While I get why Sterling’s frustrated, I’ve gotta respect Lexi’s stance. She’s making sure it can never be said that she’s taking advantage of Sterling, or that her being able to thrive and get through school is because of anyone’s financial help.
It’s all her.
“Did she at least say what she intends to do with all the cash?” Grandpa asks. The corners of his mouth are tense, and I don’t think I’m the only one fighting a smile.
“All she said about it is that it’s Jax’s money, not hers. And when he’s old enough to be smart with it, she’ll turn it over to him.”
I’m biting my tongue again, but that only lasts for so long this time. “And… you think all this is a bad thing?”
“You’re missing the point,” he sighs. “They’re not safe there. And the last thing I want is for my kid to come visit me, to see how me and Tiff live, then go back to his mom’s, thinking I’m not taking care of shitthere. And let’s not even talk about how Pandora would spin this shit…”
“I don’t know. I think you’re looking at this all wrong.”
He rolls his eyes. “So, tell me, West. How would you suggest I look at it?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe like she’s raising Jax to be levelheaded? Humble?”
Grandpa Boone points at me. “I think you’re on to something. No offense, but you boys were born with a silver spoon in your mouth. I’m not judging you. My girls were raised not knowing anything about the struggles most people face. But maybe, just maybe, Lexi’s trying to see to it that Jaxon has balance. Soon enough, he’ll be old enough to understand who his daddy is, and the space he holds in this city, in thisworld, and maybe his mother just wants to make sure his foundation is sound before any of that happens. You know, to give hima fighting chance to not become an arrogant asshole,” he adds with a laugh.
“Like we are?” Sterling asks, looking genuinely concerned that this is what Grandpa thinks of us.
“No, you idiot. I was thinking more along the lines of your father. That asshat wasn’tborninto money, but he sure as hell wanted the world to know he struck it rich down the road.”
I think about it, and his logic makes sense. Lex has always been grounded, and I can’t see her wanting anything less for Jaxon.
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Damn straight, I’m right,” Grandpa brags. “Jaxon couldn’t be more perfect, and that’s a testament to what a great job you two are doing with him. Stop worrying so much.”
The mood lightens, and you can visibly see Sterling’s stress melting away. The Tiffany situation might not be an easy fix, but there’s no need for him to complicate things with Lexi, too.
Chase excuses himself to use the restroom, and Ricky straightens after taking his shot. We lock eyes, and he looks serious.
Too serious for where our conversation just left off.
“Not to bring the mood back down, but I’ve been waiting to talk to you three without Chase around.”
My stomach sinks, but I hide that the look on his face already has me scared shitless, and he hasn’t even said much yet.
“I haven’t brought it up in a while, because there’s been enough going on without adding to the drama. But Diego and I have still been working on the Pandora thing,” he says, confirming my fear.
