Page 50 of Jackson

We fuck shit up when we need, but outside of that, we’re just like any other family.

“There he is.” Spike grins, tossing his cigarette pack in my direction. I catch it with one hand. “Sounds like you might need that.”

“Ew, Spike.” Addison covers her ears. “I am never going to be okay with hearing the sounds I just heard coming from that room.”

“Sorry, darlin’,” I murmur, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.

“You might be old, but it sounds like you’ve still got it,” Ciara teases.

“Careful, Tom Cat,” I warn. “I’m not too old to chase you down.”

“Now that I’d like to see.” Addison smirks. “I don’t think you’ve got it in you to run, old man.”

I shoot her a look. She blows me a kiss.

“Ava is asleep,” Janine tells me, with a smile. “I’m going to turn in for the night. This baby is taking it out of me.”

“I’m comin’ with,” Muff says, standing and pulling her close.

“Night.” I nod. “Appreciate it.”

Once they’re gone, I kick back and let my eyes settle on the fire, feeling my body relax. Fuck, we all needed this. It has been absolute chaos in the club lately, and we’ve all forgotten what it feels like to just enjoy ourselves.

“Yo, Pres,” Spike asks. “You got any of the good stuff on you?”

I look up at him, inhaling the cigarette. “Always got the good stuff,” I answer.

“Toss me some.”

He’s talking about drugs.

It isn’t often that they take them, but occasionally, we partake in a hit.

“In my truck.”

Spike pushes to his feet. “Who’s in?”

Addison and Cade both nod.

“What about you, baby?” he asks Ciara.

“I’m good. Mercy is being a pain at night, I don’t want to miss her waking up.”

Spike walks over, leaning down. “That’s why I fuckin’ love you.”

Ciara scrunches her nose up. “Because I’m not wiping myself out when I have a baby? I thought that just came with the job.”

“Shh,” Addison says, waving a hand. “You’re making me look bad.”

“Girl—” Ciara waves a hand “—your child sleeps better than anyone I know.”

“True, she does.”

“I’ll be back.” Spike chuckles, leaving.

“I’m glad to see you and Serenity made up, Father,” Addison says to me, a wicked grin on her face. “I was getting tired of your bickering. Don’t you know it’s bad for my development?”

Ciara snorts a laugh.