Fear and something else careened through him when his dad suddenly grabbed his momma by the hair. She yelped when heyanked it back. “You really think you’re gonna get rid of me? You ain’t ever gonna be rid of me. Think it’s time you learned that lesson.”
He started to drag her by the hair, and all the ugly burned through Silas like he’d burst into a fire. He screeched as he went running toward his dad, his arms outstretched, and he pushed into his side with all his might.
“Let her go!” he screamed, and he hit and banged his fists against his side.
His momma gasped a horrified sound, trying to curl her voice into a demand, but it sounded more like she was begging. “Silas, go back to bed.”
But he couldn’t move.
He was too mad. He knew he wasn’t supposed to hate, but he hated him. He hated him so bad that he wished he was dead.
So he told him.
“I wish you were dead.”
His dad laughed as he smacked him across the side of the head, the strike knocking him onto his butt.
He blinked, fighting the tears from the clattering of pain that rocked through him. He wasn’t a baby and he was gonna prove it.
“PJ!” his momma shouted, and his dad released the hold he had on her hair, making her stumble forward.
Silas didn’t even care that his dad turned and towered over him like a beast, putting all his attention on him.
Just as long as he forgot about his momma.
His dad leaned over him, and Silas wanted to throw up again. Something thick like poison coming off his breath.
“Ah, just like your dad, aren’t you? Mean little fucker.”
Silas wanted to scream. Or maybe spit in his face. Tell him to take it back.
“I’m not like you.”
His dad chuckled a sound that rolled through Silas like he was giving him a punishment. “Look in the mirror, kid. You’re me, through and through. My blood is strong. Might as well accept it. You’re always gonna be who you are.”
He patted Silas on the cheek with a big meaty palm. Hard enough to make his head rattle.
His momma surged to his dad’s side, and she tugged at his arm. “Come on, honey, don’t worry about him. I was just mad you were late for dinner. Let me make it up to you.”
Her whole body shook out of control as she led him away, urging him to sit at the little table in the corner. “Here, let me warm this up for you.”
She took the plate and turned around. She fumbled and stared at Silas for one long beat.
And he knew right then he’d never forget the sad look on her face.
THIRTEEN
SILAS
I grittedmy teeth as I strained at the wrench with all my might, the bolt refusing to give as I worked at the old beat-up Ford that had been brought in for restoration.
“Motherfucking piece of shit.” I grumbled it beneath my breath as I fought for a cool that had evaporated like steamy mist. All thanks to one fiery brunette who had proven fatal to my sanity.
The bay doors were rolled open, and sticky, late-afternoon heat saturated the air.
Sweat slicking down my neck and back.
But it was the fire inside that was about to consume me after another illicit interaction with Brinley this morning. Unable to fucking help myself.
