Page 75 of Rectify

“Isn’t this conversation at all a little weird to you?”

“My brother had a baby with the girl I was in love with, and we’re a happy family now,” he deadpans. “Weird is normal.”

“And how’s your brother?” I ask.

He snickers. “Do you even care?”

“No, but I’m polite, and he’s Dakota’s dad. So I’ll try and find the appeal.”

“He’s a prickly one. Hold off on the l-y on every second day.”

We both laugh at his shitty joke, before Hendrix’s tone gets a little more serious. “He’s still adjusting to being out of jail. I know it’s not an excuse, but his heart is in the right place.”

“I am sorry he had to go through that. And I get why the George thing is touchy, but it wasn’t intentional.”

He claps me on the shoulder. “I know that, man. But I’m not who you should be telling.”

His words make sense, but it’s all a little easier said than done.

“Man, are you going somewhere?” His eyes finally take in the boxes.

“Yeah, I’m moving back to Melbourne.I’ve been living there for the last seven years.”

“Okay, well.” He sticks his hand out and I shake it. “I’ll see you at Christmas, maybe January.”

This guy’s got to be tripping.

“Whatever you say, Hendrix.”

“Drix works fine.”

I nod at him affirmatively as he walks out, there’s clearly no negotiating with a crazy person.

* * *

It’s a shitty thing to do, but I called Holly and asked her when Sasha wasn’t working because Max refused to pick up Lily, and I didn’t want to bump into her.

She gave me a list of dates and times, but a part of me thinks she’s fucking with me, and might set me up. I probably should talk to Sasha. Especially since it’s been four weeks since that night in the hospital, and things should be settled, but unless she plans on coming to Melbourne with me, I really don’t know what else is left to say.

I don’t want to rehash the same shit each time. I just want us to be enough. No complications. No outside opinions, nobody else to please.

Punching in the code, I walk in as if I’m about to do a recon mission. I was going to stop by and look for Holly, but in and out is much safer.

I head for Lily’s room, and I see Sasha sitting down and playing with her. It’s a punch to the gut watching them together, witnessing how beautiful they are. They fit like pieces of a puzzle. My damn puzzle.

“Oh, shit,” I hear someone mutter behind me. “She stayed back, I promise I didn’t mean for you to be here at the same time.”

“It’s okay, it’s her place.” I turn to see Holly looking extremely apologetic. “There’s nothing to be done.”

“I can try and distract her,” she offers.

“No.” I give my head a little shake. “It’s cool. I should say goodbye anyway.”

Her shoulders deflate. “You’re really leaving?”

“It’s home, and my business needs me.”

“I’m so sorry, Jizz Man.”

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