Page 30 of Falling in Reverse

He scoffs. “I could’ve taken Lev. Shit, Bay, give me some credit.”

I don’t warn him, and I kinda don’t have a chance to, because Levi’s palm slaps the back of Juice’s head. Of course, he heard that comment. “Yeah right, dumbass.”

Juice doesn’t even flinch, still staring at me when he says, “Just because you beat me in cards last night, doesn’t mean you’re unstoppable.”

Levi stands at my side and ruffles my hair like he used to do when we were kids and because he’s still an asshole. “Says who? I’m pretty fuckin’ baller when I’m still alive.”

My brows knit in confusion. “Alive from what?”

Levi’s green eyes fall to me, already narrowed. “Did you already forget what we did the other night?”

No.

“Wanna not mention shit like that around my dad,” I mutter back, giving his love handles—and I’m using that term loosely, because he doesn’t have them—a pinch. “I’m not explaining that.”

“From the last time I remembered, you were good at sneaking back in the house through the front door.”

“Well, now I’m climbing in the window because Pops falls asleep in front of the damn TV all the time.”

“Bay…” Ellie whines behind Juice, reminding me that she has to go to the bathroom.

“Shit.” I move around Juice, who mom-arms me to stay put.

“I got it.”

Levi’s right-hand man is quick to spin around and pull my sister into his body, keeping her safe, even though we’re in the mutual territory of East Riverside.

The place is literally heaven.

Sheriff Muncy has no jurisdiction over here, and it’s where we all do our illegal street racing.

Well, the planned shit. Sometimes I can grab a few bucks on the road with some asshole who decided to joyride around.

“You doin’ good, Roger?” Levi asks Dad. “I got a beer coming for you.”

“No, you don’t,” I snap back. “He’s not—” Dad smiles and, yep…two assholes.

Two peas in a pod.

Dad is on a very strict diet after his stroke and he’s not happy about it. However, that’s how the cookie crumbled and how it’s going to continue until he’s healthy again.

“We better stop,” Levi quips. “Or she’s going to have a heart attack.”

Yeah, we don’t need the additional hospital bills.

“Are you thirsty, Dad?” I solicit. “I have water in the back.”

“D-d-d-d-do-o-oo-n’t f-f-f-r-r-et o-o-ov-v-er m-m-m, B-b-b-bay.”

I’m not trying to.

I’m serious, I’m not.

What grown-ass man with three daughters wants to be coddled when he’s been the breadwinner the whole time?

Dad is independent, a hard worker, and he’s busted his entire ass for as long as I can remember and always made sure to make time for my sisters and me. His pride is crushed, being laid up for weeks without being able to help me pay the bills, and I’m attempting not to show him how hard of a time I’m having.

Nonetheless, it’s my issue now, and I’m doing the best I can.

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