Page 2 of Rocky

“I’ll let you know, Rue.”

“Thanks, Sage. I’m headed to pick up Briar. I’ll see you at home.”

“Okay. What’s for dinner?”

“Pulled barbecue chicken sandwiches and fries. I made the chicken in the crockpot, and it should be done by the time I get there. I just have to make the fries.”

“I’ll make them if we get home first. Love you.”

“Love you, too. Drive carefully.”

As soon as I ended our call, Deacon’s name appeared on the car’s display screen. I contemplated ignoring the call, but he’d call back until I answered.

“Yes?”

“Rue, where the fuck is my son?”

“Hello to you too, Deacon.”

“Stop fuckin’ playing with me. I’m trying to pick him up, and they told me he don’t go here. Tell me something before I go off on these bitches.”

“I moved him to the one closer to me because you weren’t picking him up.”

“You what?”

“I—”

“I heard what the fuck you said. I told you I didn’t want him going there.”

“Well, you should’ve held up your end of the deal. You know my plate is full, and I don’t have time to be driving across town to pick Briar up when he could be two blocks away.”

“Fuck that. Ain’t no way my son going to?—”

“Goodbye, Deacon.”

I ended the call and blocked his number. I’d unblock him in a few days after he calmed down. Hopefully, he wouldn’t show his crazy ass up at my house before then.

I turned into the Rush Brothers Youth & Recreation Center parking lot and quickly found a spot to park. As I headed toward the entrance, someone on a motorcycle rode past me on the sidewalk. I frowned when I noticed there was a kid on the back.

“At least the kid has on a helmet,” I mumbled.

When I arrived at the entrance, the man on the bike was helping the kid take off his helmet. My heart almost stopped when I realized the kid on the bike was my son.

“Briar!” I shouted as I ran toward him.

“Mommy!” I kneeled, and he ran into my arms. I hugged him so tight he probably couldn’t breathe. After planting a few kisses on his forehead, I held him by his shoulders and looked into his eyes.

“Baby, what were you doing on that bike?”

“Mr. Rocky took me for a ride because I got a hundred on my spelling test.”

“Good job on your test, baby. Do you remember what I told you about riding motorcycles?”

He nodded. “You said never let Daddy or any of his friends take me for a ride on their motorcycle.”

I sighed because that was exactly what I’d said.

“Yes, you’re right, but I should’ve said never get onanyone’smotorcycle. They are dangerous and?—”

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