Page 27 of Sugar and Skulls

I wave him away. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.” Standing straight, I face him. “I have things I need to do today, Dan.”

He stands like a tower in front of me. “You’re not going anywhere without me.”

“Jesus Christ.” I stomp my foot, poking a finger in his chest. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”

“And how has that been going for you?” he asks, not budging.

After he says it I see the regret on his face. I hold up my hand to stop him.

He gently places his hands on my shoulders. “Why don’t you go shower and I’ll go whip up some breakfast. Then we can head to the shop.”

This perks me up. Yes, the shop. Some damn normalcy. I nod enthusiastically and offer him a big smile. I notice his shoulders drop. He pats me on the head like a puppy and heads out to the kitchen.

The smell of bacon and eggs waft through the house making my mouth water. Smells good, who knew Big Dan could cook. When I get to the kitchen Dan and William are talking quietly at the table. They stop the minute I walk into the room.

Dan stands and motions for me to take his seat. I catch William’s gaze as I sit down. He tosses me one of his boyish smiles, making my heart thaw a little. Dan pushes a plate in front of me. “I’ll leave you two kids to visit.” He kisses the top of my head and then leaves the room.

“How are you feeling?” William asks hesitantly.

“Good. How about you?” I motion towards him with my fork.

He laughs. “Oh, Jesse. This is why I love you. Tough as nails.”

I almost choke on my food. What did he just say?

His dimples come out in all their glory. “I’ve always loved you, Jess. Not in the way I love Penny but it’s not a lesser love.”

My eyes drop to my plate. I know what he means. I love him too. There are only four people in this world I’ve ever loved. My grandparents and the two men in this house. “I’m sorry I’ve been treating you so poorly. You don’t deserve it.”

He reaches out and takes my hand. “I understand, Jess. It had always been just the two of us, thick as thieves.” I peek up at him and he winks.

“I don’t want you to think I’m not happy for you, William. I am. I really am. Penny is great. You two are going to make great parents.” Fuck why did I say that. Now the tears are coming again.

William gets up and moves around the table to sit in the chair next to me. He pulls me into his arms. His familiar scent calms me, but I try to push him away anyway. He doesn’t let me. He keeps me tightly pulled into his chest. “I’m so sorry, Jesse. I knew Jimmy was bad news. I should have protected you. Twice now I’ve failed you.”

“It’s not your fault. Without you I wouldn’t have made it out of Saint Mary’s.”

“You were the one to get us out.” He pulls back to look into my eyes. “I never asked but did you purposely drop that candle or was it really an accident?” he asks, a slight smile on his face.

I smile back. “A girl never reveals her secrets, William. But, she does tattoo them into her skin.” I pull up my jeans to show him the candle tattooed on my leg. A single candle, dripping blood instead of wax.

His finger traces over it. “You saved us,” he whispers.

I pull my pant leg down, shifting back to my breakfast. Enough sap. “Why are you still here. I thought I told you take the money and get Penny out of this shit hole.”

“I can’t take the money…”

I interrupt him. “It’s my fucking money. I worked hard for it and I want you to have it. Please. I need something good to think about. You and Penny are good. Knowing you are out of here will give me peace.”

He grabs my hand and places a set of keys in my palm.

“What’s this?”

“It’s the keys to Sylvia. You’re buying her from me.”

I try to give them back to him, but he shoves his hands in his pockets.

“William, I can’t take the rod. You’ve worked so hard on her.”

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