Page 34 of Desired

Da watches mama with such sweet admiration it makes me ache. Mama is one that does not need nor want protection. I’ve seen her in action. Sometimes, she can be worse than da with her venomous temper. Caleb rises and gives mama a hug as well, and I watch the exchanges, until she comes to me. “What’s this I hear about your new love, Declan?” Nothing gets by mama or da in this house. “She wants to go face that brute in jail?”

“It’s her decision, mama. But, aye, she wants to go.”

Mama walks to me, dragging the armchair over, so that she can look me in the eye. “Declan, no woman is going to work her whole life, making something of herself, just to throw it away. No woman in her right mind, that is. Now, I know that you mean well, and she sees that, but if you want her to see how much you love her, then you’ve got to let her do what she thinks is right, Declan. Otherwise, she’ll always feel like she made her choice based on pleasing you. And resentment is a tough thing to live with, son.”

Da walks behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders, leans down, and kisses her head. “Let the boy listen to his heart, my love, just as I did.”

Mama looks up at him and smiles. “I am, Dougall, just as I did, too.”

Da takes her hand, guiding her back up to him, and he kisses her softly on the mouth. Mama looks at me, gives me a quick wink, and follows da out of the room. Maverick slides a hand down his face. “Fuuuuck. I’m not sleeping here tonight.”

Ethan snorts a laugh. “Aye. I know that look.”

“Too well.” I agree, crossing my eyes, tossing down the last spit of liquid in my glass.

Caleb chuckles. “Remember the time we walked in—”

I interrupt, bellowing. “No, we don’t, and neither do you.”

“God, they’re gross.” Maverick whines. “I’m outta here before the fucking ceiling tiles start to shake.”

“Aye, drive me home, shithead.” I tell him.

“Get a goon to do it, asshole, I'm just as fucking wasted as you are.” He whines, pushing my leg playfully.

“Both of you get in my truck.” Caleb says. “I’ll drive you home.”

“How jovial.” I say, feeling relaxed, and trying not to think about that text that I still haven’t responded to.

“You gonna answer that text, dude?” Maverick asks me.

“None of your fucking business.” I say conversationally.

Caleb glances at me from the rearview mirror. “You probably shouldn’t until you’re sobered up, man. Just a thought.”

“I’m not that fucking drunk, loser. Shit, I could drink you under the fucking table any day.”

“Tell that to the dribble of spit making its way down your chin, man.”

“Fuck you.”

Maverick slides a finger over my chin. “Hey, he wasn’t kidding.”

I slap his hand away. “Fuckoff! Don’t touch me, asshole!”

Another glance from Caleb. “Now, see, this is why I put you two in the back seat. I don’t need you clowns fighting up front like last time.”

“Fuckoff.” We both say in unison. Then his gaze meets mine and we both start laughing.

“There really was spit on your face, dude.” He laughs.

“Fuck you. And there’s cum on yours.”

He laughs. “I bet there’s cum all over mama’s face right now.”

“Oh! Gross! Fucking gross!” I shout, gagging, as I watch Caleb laughing from up front. “What the fuck is so funny, sicko! He’s talking about mama and da fucking, loser!”

“I know what he’s talking about.” Caleb laughs. “I just know that he’s also trying to get a rise out of you, and he’s being very successful.”

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