Page 94 of Unhinged

I shrug as I set down the glass, so I don’t swing it into a wall. “Yeah.”

“Well, that’s good to know.” He again looks at Wilder as he walks toward the bar. Ricky laughs. “Looks like your brother-in-law would like a word or two with you, Rodwell.”

Fanfuckingtastic.

“I’m kinda busy,” I say as Wilder leans next to Ricky against the bar.

Wilder says, “Get un-busy. I hear Amos co-owns this place now. I could always call him…”

“Fine.” I tell Milt I’m taking a break and then nod toward the kitchen. Wilder follows me as I see Ricky stopping Simone from joining us.

Before I say anything in my defense, Wilder asks, “What the fuck did you do to my sister?”

“Me? I did nothing to her.” And since I can’t help taunting him, I add, “Well, nothing she didn’t want me to.”

“I’m this close to breaking your face, so you’d better start explaining.”

“Simone told you everything, so why do you need me to tell you?”

“Her side is all daisies and rainbows. I want the truth.”

“Simone isn’t a liar.” Even I know that shit.

“Nope. She’s always been truthful and is a horrible liar, but she’ll defend the hell out of you.”

“Why would she do that?”

Wilder rolls his dark brown eyes. “Because my little sister has no common sense when it comes to you.”

“That makes no sense.”

“It appears you have the same problem, then.”

I sigh and cross my arms as he regards me with his hands on his hips like he does on the softball field. “What do you want from me, Wilder?” It doesn’t seem like Hadley told him I kissed her and declared my love for her. I’d be dead already.

“I don’t get it. You left Richmond without an explanation to anyone and in the middle of the night. As much as I don’t want you to be friends with my wife, your absence has…devastated her.” Huh? I doubt that.

I laugh. “Okay? You got your wish. I’m gone. She’ll get over it.”

“Bullshit. You know she won’t, and I can’t believe you’d say that.”

“You either want me in her life, or you don’t. You can’t have it both ways.”

He rolls his eyes and purses his lips. “Unblock her number.” I didn’t expect that. “It’s not just her. You upset Val.”

I cringe. Jesus Christ. I hate making that woman sad for any reason. I should probably call and beg her for forgiveness. She’ll cry. I’ll cry. It won’t be good. I did her wrong. I’d kidnap orphans if Val Dryden asked me to. Though I’d question both of our sanities and my friendship circle.

“Simone is vulnerable, and you’re taking advantage of her?”

“What? How?”

“Luring her into a marriage so she can dump her dad, but keep the money? Sound familiar? All because you want your cut.”

“You make me sound like a stranger in a van, tricking kids with candy. I don’t want any money from Simone. I’m returning a favor. That’s all.” I already returned the favor when I helped her with Officer Dick Lick.

“Try again.”

“You know how giving and caring Simone is. Believe it or not, I’d do pretty much anything for your sister. She helped me with Birdy when I thought she was mine.”

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