Page 43 of Count On Me

“Hell yeah, I was proud. I was disappointed at the same time, too.” I want to point out the juxtaposition of those two feelings, but he doesn’t give me a chance. “And before you start, I know the two feelings shouldn’t be felt together, but they were. And you can’t tell me what I did or didn’t feel. You may have lived in my balls, Son, but you don’t live in my damn heart.”

“Shit, Pops, I appreciate the sentiment, but come on. That’s fucking gross.”

He chuckles and I shake my head as a grin starts to form on my mouth. It’s wiped from my face quickly and I hang my head, even though he can't see me, when he asks the one question I’ve been dreading most of all.

“How’s Edie?”

“I don’t know. I haven't spoken to her.”

He inhales sharply. “See, right now? I feel proud that you cared enough to defend the woman you love, but I’m totally disappointed that you haven’t got big enough balls to call her and finally see what we’ve all seen since you were a kid. Disappointed and proud. Fix it, shithead.”

Pops’s voice cuts through my already fragile ego and pride. I can’t fight my tone and bite back, “You know what, Pops? You don’t know jack shit about any of this. You think you do, but you don’t. I don’t love Edie and she doesn’t love me. Shit, I don’t even think she likes me all that much anymore, and neither do I right now.”

“Well, I didn't think I raised a liaranda quitter. Now I’m just disappointed. Call me when you get your head outta your ass.”

The line goes dead.

I stare at it for a few minutes then scroll through my phone and call down to the front desk, asking Paddy to grab me somesupplies. And by supplies, I mean alcohol. I haven’t got football. I haven’t got Edie. I may as well get fucking drunk.

“FUCK!” I fling my head back on to the sofa and punch the cushion next to me. My eyes rest on where Gramps’s watch should be, but I forgot it at Lockheart’s house when I stayed there. I lean my head back on the sofa, look up at the ceiling, and tell him, “Guess you were wrong, Gramps. I’m outta fucking time now.”

26

GROUP TEXTS BETWEEN THE BRADY BROTHERS AND PENNY

Jaxson

Broooosssssss

Jaxson

I’m drumk

Jaxson

Drumk

Jaxson

Fuck it, I’m drumk and drumk enough to not care about spelling now.

Jaxson

I miss you boys.

Jaxson

And you, Pen.

Jaxson

Even if you annoy me.

Jaxson

Maybe I should just come home.

Jaxson

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