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“We’ve already given you too many breaks. It’s time to get your life in order.”

I threw back the blankets and got out of the bed. I was still wearing my clothes from last night. I’d gotten home late and crashed. Dad was right. I did stay out till all hours. Mainly because I couldn’t stand to be here with my parents hovering. Mom fretted over me like I was five years old, wanting to coddle me to death. And Dad kept pressuring me to go to work in his law firm, even though I’d never be anything but a lackey there.

I had no desire to be a pathetic nepotism hire everyone complained about.

I grabbed my wallet and keys from the dresser. The pool house was really just one big bedroom with a kitchenette and bathroom. I’d moved out here in the hopes I’d have a little privacy.

It was really working out for me.

“Where are you going?” Dad asked.

“To get my life in order,” I said caustically, storming past him. I had to get out of here before I lost my shit. It was the same argument again and again.

“We’re not done here, Joey!”

I spun, walking a few steps backward. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll be a good boy. Your job here is done.”

Dad’s hands balled into fists at his side. He’d never been a violent man, but I frustrated the crap out of him. I had ever since coming home from prison. My parents weren’t really sure what to do with me. I’d gone in as their son: a little mini me they’d fashioned through love and gifts and rewards.

I’d come out with rougher edges, like wood that had splintered. I no longer resembled the boy they’d crafted.

I wasn’t so sure that was a bad thing, though.

The Hummer sat parked in the circle drive. I hopped in and started the engine. Dad watched me from the doorway of the pool house, mouth pinched tight.

I drove for a while, just to clear my head, before I swung by Mug Shots to pick up some coffee. Hollywood would be up with his little girl, even though it was barely seven. Maybe we could go to the park. Anything to kill some time and avoid the house for a while.

I ordered some sugar-fortified caffeine, got Ruby a hot chocolate, and headed over to Clover Leaf Mobile Home Park. The other guys in the Redemption Road work program for ex-cons all lived there now. I was the odd one out.

Maybe Dad would kick me out soon, though, and I could move in with Ghost. I tried to imagine the old guy’s face if I showed up on his doorstep with luggage and snorted. He’d lose his ever-loving mind.

Better to stick it out at home awhile longer. I wasn’t earning a steady enough paycheck to take on rent. I’d only been at the print shop for a couple of weeks and it was so boring I wanted to rip out my fingernails just to break up the monotony.

Hollywood answered the door when I knocked. “What are you doing here?”

I lifted the drink carrier, trying to look less pathetic. “I got coffee at Mug Shots. Even got Ruby a little cocoa.”

“Okay…”

“I, uh, just needed to get out of the house. Thought I’d stop by and get my Ruby fix. I could take her to the park?”

“Actually, we’re headed out.”

Well, shit. There went that plan.

“Oh. Okay.” My shoulders slumped. “I should have called first.”

Tex came up behind Hollywood, looking half-asleep and somehow still intimidatingly stern. “What’s goin’ on?”

Hollywood winced. “Sorry. Go back to bed. Ruby and I were just leaving.”

Ruby ran to Tex, clinging to his legs, and he lifted her up. He took one look at me and snorted. “You’re a sorry sight. What the hell happened?”

I grimaced. “Fight with my dad. Sorry. I figured you’d be up early with Ruby or I wouldn’t have come by.”

“Tex is working nights now.” Hollywood turned toward him. “Seriously, go crash for a little while. Ruby and I will be at the rehab center for an hour or so.”

“And what about this sorry guy?” he said, gesturing to me.