What the fuck?
That made no sense. In the last three years that I’d been riding with Big Dog’s crew, we had never done a job like this. It was always parts, electronics, dealings that didn’t touch our hometown, but to go there and have people not only see us but tell us what they wanted for us was unheard of.
“Is that good with you, Cruzito?”
“Whatever you need.”
He hung up without saying another word, and I was glad, because I wanted to curse him out. I tried to get the conversation out of my mind as I parked in Ava’s driveway. We were supposed to end the day on a high note, and I didn’t want to drag us down with my shit.
Both Ava and Micah took one look at me when I got out of the car and immediately knew something was wrong.
“What happened?” Micah asked first.
I didn’t want to tell them because I wanted to protect them, but I also knew I couldn’t keep secrets from them. Just like Grayson, they would be pissed when they found out what went down with Teclas. One less lie was my only option now.
“Big Dog called,” I mumbled.
“No,” Ava said in disbelief.
“Gotta do a little job,” I said, giving them a sad smile.
“Tell him to fuck off,” Micah barked.
I let out a humorless laugh. “We all know I can’t.”
Since it was dark and I doubted Mr. Hayes was waiting by the window, I grabbed both of their hands and led them toward Ava’s front door.
“This is nice,” I told them. “We should do this more often.”
“Hang out?” Ava asked.
“No, hold hands…or my dick. I’d like that too.”
That was all it took to lighten the mood. Ava snickered, then immediately stopped holding my hand and swatted my shoulder. Since we were almost by the door, I let go of Micah’s hand as well.
“If I’m being honest, I’d really like that second option.”
“Shut up,” Micah murmured as Ava began to open the door.
“Daddy, I’m home,” Ava shouted as the three of us walked in through the threshold.
I leaned in so only they could hear me.
“You definitely can’t call us daddy, princess. It will get awkward real fast if you have a slipup in front of your dad.”
“Bro, shut the fuck up,” Micah demanded, but I could see the hint of a smile on his face.
Ava ran ahead to greet her dad, and before we could follow her to the kitchen, Micah put his hand on my shoulder to stop me.
“You good?” His voice was low, but I could hear the sincerity in his words, and something about it had my throat in a knot, so all I could do was nod.
“Is there anything I can do?”
Don’t say it.
Don’t say it.
Don’t say it.
