Dane thought Moose was cool as hell, and he didn’t have a problem with him. He didn’t even mind that he and Inari were seeing each other a few months ago. What he had a problem with was the fact that she’d been faking with Danilo and being sneaky. That was something he couldn’t respect.
“You don’t have all the facts, Dane. Your father is conveniently leaving a lot of shit out.”
“Like what?” Dane challenged.
Silence echoed through the halls. Inari wasn’t sure how to respond given the situation. It was all so sensitive, and she hadn’t had a chance to talk to Ayla to brace her for any of it. Witheverything she had going on, it was one more reason for Inari not to burden her.
“She can’t even keep it a buck.” Danilo shook his head. “Come on. Let’s go pack our shit. I already talked to Mira. She don’t mind us coming to stay with her for a while.” He stepped past Moose and nodded to the door for Dane to follow.
“Dane, wait.” Inari’s shaky voice stopped her son in his steps. “Can you just listen to me, please?”
“Listen to what, Ma? Lies? You can’t even take accountability for what you did.”
No lie, those words stung hearing it from her own flesh and blood’s mouth. She’d always raised Dane to speak his mind and call out right and wrong; she just never thought he’d turn those tables on her. Danilo damn sure did a number on him. She knew all these months, allowing them to spend so much time together was a mistake.
“Ask him what he did! Since you want to take his word for it!” Inari shouted. “I’m your mother, Dane. I’m the one who’s always looked out for you!”
“You’re also the reason I don’t have a relationship with him to begin with,” Dane noted, sucker punching her again with that statement. “I’m sorry, Ma. I can’t rock with you on this.” He shook his head, and Danilo’s satisfied smirk in the doorway made her charge at him.
“Let ’em go, Nari.” Moose caught her around the waist, keeping her out of range to come at him again.
“No!” She shoved Moose’s hands off her as Danilo and Dane let themselves out. “He doesn’t know the truth!”
“He will,” Moose said, his voice confident and reassuring in her ear as tears misted her eyes.
“Have fun on your trip. Everything that happens after tonight is on you, Nari.” Danilo limped along with Dane at his side.
He even passed him the keys back so he could drive them to the house. Inari wanted to throw up. She was physically ill at the sight of her son aligning himself with his ain’t shit father against her. Never did she think she’d see the day. She thought her relationship with Dane was unforgeable, nothing could possibly ever come between them. Until now.
