Page 90 of Irons

“Just remember one thing, Deanna.” Magnus spoke out. “While you’re using that EBT card for food, Morgan is living a full and happy life in luxury.” Magnus laughed. “You probably don’t even know she owns the trailer you sleep in at night.”

Deanna stopped walking away, and her shoulders tensed for a moment, then she jerked her child’s hand. “Let’s get out of here! Nobody here is worth our time.”

I couldn’t believe the bitch had the nerve.

“What a delusional bitch.” I said as the door shut behind her.

“No shit.” Creed agreed.

“That baby was not mine.” Magnus hissed through his teeth. “I might have been young and used the bitch, but I didn’t fucking knock her up.”

“She knows you didn’t, Magnus. She obviously hasn’t moved on from the mess she created.” I said.

Mrs. Hoffman sat down in a chair in front of Magnus. “Everyone knows that baby wasn’t yours and she lied about all of it. Please don’t let her get to you. Her mother and father created the monster, then when she screwed up, they abandoned her. She has a lot of demons, and it’s obvious she can’t keep a man. All three of those precious babies have different fathers.”

“It’s not their fault they have a shitty mom.” Magnus said.

“That’s right, but their mom is nothing but a mean girl that obviously never learned any lessons. The boys are just as much bullies as she is, and it’s sad. She can’t keep a job anywhere around here and the only place that will rent a home to her is that trailer court. It’s not just because of her reputation, it’s because she’s been evicted from everywhere else. She’s running out of men to sponge off of, and I’m sure she was just testing you to see if she could worm her way back into your life.” Mrs. Hoffman said.

“She really is an idiot.” Creed said.

We finished our small sandwiches then went back to Creed’s Lake. I went home for another shower and when I arrived at Creed’s place, I was of course greeted by Addie’s squeals and hugs.

“She really called you Mr. Rossi?” I could hear Morgan laugh in the kitchen. Addie took off with the Granger kids and I walked in the kitchen to see Creed leaning on the island as Wrenly was frying vegetables, and damn it smelled good. Morgan was doing as told for once and sitting at the kitchen table.

I walked over to Wrenly and pecked her lips. “What are you making?” She was such a geek, wearing some kind of turkey sweater, but her ass looked amazing in the jeans she wore.

“Just the vegetables for the dressing.”

I wrapped my arms around her from behind. “Did you have a good morning?”

“Addie was here, so it was definitely entertaining. She finally called me Wrenly instead of maween wady.” She giggled as she stirred what looked to be celery and onions, but smelled delicious.

I chuckled. “Good, do you need any help?”

“Yep, there’s some chips and dip the two of you can take downstairs. The game should be on soon.” Wrenly said.

“Welp, there’s my out.” Creed walked over and pecked Morgan’s lips. “Are you sure you don’t need any help?” He asked just to confirm.

“Just enjoy the game, I think Wrenly has it all under control.” Morgan replied.

Creed and I retreated to the basement before our women could change their minds. It wasn’t long and the basement started to fill up. Magnus arrived and was more quiet than normal, then Axton, Drakos, Darren, Tanner, Patrick, Morgan’s grandpa and great grandpa, Creed’s grandpa, brothers, uncle and Hollywood heartthrob cousin, and finally Magnus’s dad and two brother in laws. It was a full house, and I knew Wrenly and the other women were working their asses off to feed us a great meal. It was a good time, kicking back, drinking beer, snacking on chips and a vegetable tray, all while watching the football game.

It was a commercial break when Creed asked Axton the million dollar question. “Heard any news from your sister?”

“Yeah, I was going to talk about that tomorrow, but now is fine. She will be here in about a week. Of course, she will stay with me until we can find her a place closer to town.”

Axton paid his sister’s way through her entire college career. She just got her PhD in law and would start her career by working for our establishing law firm. She wouldn’t live at Creed’s Lake because the firm is closer to Clarity. Axton honestly didn’t want her to live in the community. He felt they both needed lives of their own, and there was the little issue that Axton’s sister and mom stayed in contact. In fact, her mom lived with her in Belmont. Axton barely had a relationship with his mom, and sure as hell didn’t have one with his dad. When Axton was a kid, his father was extremely abusive and when Axton tried to protect his mom, he was beaten to an inch of his life. He was in intensive care and for a while they didn’t know if he would survive. His mom tried working several jobs but turned to alcohol and brought other men into her children’s lives. Axton was one hell of a kid because he juggled school and working two jobs as a teenager to keep a roof over their heads. Once he graduated high school he joined the Army and sent almost all his pay home. Then when his sister went off to college he moved her into the dorms and never sent another cent to his mom. She was able to clean herself up and move to Boston where she rented a hole in the wall apartment. Once his sister moved out of the dorms, Axton sent her money for a decent little house in Belmont and his mom lived with his sister while she was in law school. It was a shock to Axton, and he was pissed to learn he was supporting his mother and didn’t know it. Now she graduated and Axton is bringing her to Indiana.

“What about your mom?” Creed asked.

“Who the hell knows. She is seeing some Union Steelworker or something. Kayla seems to think it’s serious,but mom is good for making last minute decisions.” He didn’t completely hate his mom, but she was just a handful at times, and they were just now fixing their relationship. I had to give the woman credit. She overcame alcoholism and was there for her daughter when Kayla needed her most.

“Why won’t you let her live here?” Patrick asked.

Axton growled. “Because of shitheads like you. My little sister is off fucking limits.” Axton was way too protective of Kayla. I remember years ago, when she was earning her undergraduate degree, he found out she was seeing an older guy who wasn’t even in college with her. He freaked out and took off on his bike for Boston. We all tried to tell him he was ridiculous, but he saw it as doing his duty as a big brother. I think he was just worried she would levitate toward abusive men because of their father. He was always about statistics and staying educated about anything that could possibly hurt Kayla. He learned that statistically, his sister was at risk to get involved with men like their father and it caused problems between the siblings.

I wasn’t sure what was up with Axton lately. He was cold toward Wrenly and I know he wasn’t happy when I stepped into the co-ceo position.

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