Page 31 of One Wild Ride

“Zachery, language,” my mom said as she raised an eyebrow at him.

His eyes widened and he waved his hand around me, and I flinched.

“I’m trying to be a good father figure and got the boy something he might like, but he keeps going on about Santa. I’m really trying here, Emma.”

There was silence for what felt like a minute. I was sad he didn’t meet Santa but maybe what he got me would be just as cool.

My mother nodded. “Fine. Then tell him.”

He sat up and turned toward me. “Alex, how would you like to come to a tropical island with me?”

That definitely beat a trip to Washington, DC.

“Yeah!” I jumped up and clapped my hands even though I knew I should stay seated.

“We leave tomorrow, and there is a pool and coconuts on the trees. You can even wear shorts because it’s so warm this time of year. Not like cold-ass Chicago.” He frowned and shook his head as he mentioned the city.

I jumped some more. “I can get my swim shorts and take them. This will be awesome. Bradley will be so jealous.”

“Why does that name sound familiar? Who the fuck is Bradley?” My father stared at my mom.

“My sister’s son. He lives in the building, Zachery. He’s friends with Alexander,” my mom said but she seemed worried. She was bouncing her foot the same way she did when my father was about to come home for a visit.

“Oh, that’s fine. I thought he was your man-whore.” My father lifted the corner of his mouth and let out a puff of a laugh.

My mother’s foot stopped bouncing. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for Alexander to go with you on this trip. He should stay with me.”

“Are you kidding me? He’s my blood.” My father stood as his face turned red. “I may not be that close to him but like I said, Emma, I am trying here.”

“He would need a passport and he doesn’t have one. He might need some shots. Maybe a little more notice next time for something so big as an international trip.”

My mother stood and moved toward me. She knew what was coming and so did I. My mom grabbed my hand and led me to the tree. She reached down and picked up one of the gifts my father tripped over and then handed it to me.

“Don’t do that, Emma. Don’t shelter him. He should know what a controlling bitch you are.”

My mom straightened and turned, pushing me behind her back. “Am I? There is a lot of control in this family but I don’t think it’s me pulling the strings, Zachery.”

“Why do you think I am never around, Emma? Do you think it’s easy for me to look at you and him?” My father was pointing to me as I peeked out from my mom’s hip.

“I never asked you to—”

“No, you didn’t. I asked you. I loved you. As hard as that is to believe, I loved you. But you never loved me. Not once.”

My mother turned toward me. “Alexander, why don’t you take this gift to your room. I know Santa picked it out special. Play there for a while. I’ll come and get you later and we can open the other gifts.”

Bending down, she kissed my cheek and I smelled flowers and tea. I didn’t want to leave her. He was going to hurt her again. I should be stronger and stand up to him. Push him off of her. I wanted to be bigger. So big that no one could hurt her.

I shook my head. “No. Come with me, Mommy. Please.”

I grabbed her arm, but she lifted my hand and kissed it.

“I’ll be there later, I promise.” She walked me to the hallway and watched me go.

I didn’t go very far. After I saw her turn back toward my father, I hid next to the table.

“Why would I love someone like you?” I heard my mom say.

“You’re just a jaded bitch. You thought your beauty would get you money and power, and look at you. Keeping your own son in some gilded prison because you’re weak. So afraid of everything.”

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