Page 11 of Higher Notes

“You’re welcome.”

The entire time Gabriel kept his face to the TV screen but as soon as that door shut behind Dana, Sikes had enough.

“Gabriel,” he barked, and the kid jumped and turned to face him.

“Did you hear what your mother said?” Gabriel’s head bobbed up and down. “And what was that?”

“That I know the rules.”

“Recite the rules, please.”

“No one inside, no one outside. Only use the emergency phone for an emergency unless Mom or Jase call, then I answer it.”

“Can we trust you to abide by the rules?” Sikes didn’t relent and that was exactly what this kid needed. Firm structure and rules with consequences. Jason watched the entire exchange and never stepped in. Guess no lines were crossed.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good boy. We’ll be back to check on things.” Gabriel’s head bobbed up and down.

“Bye, Sikes, bye, Mr. Sniper,” the little ones waved.

“Bye, kids. Be good and no fighting,” Jason hugged the little ones and ruffled Gabriel’s hair who huffed but said nothing.

“Ride with us.” Came out as more of a command than a question which wasn’t my intent. “Please.”

Jason smiled and climbed in the back seat. “I can’t thank you guys enough for everything tonight. You’re exactly what Gabriel needs.”

“What about you?” The question came out before my filter engaged.

“We’ve got a way to go but you passed the biggest test I had.” I swear, Jason could deliver bad news with his bright smile and no would know the world had fallen apart around them. Either that or I was so utterly obsessed with this man that I knew no different.

“I know this is none of our business but where’s your dad?” Sikes asked.

“Four kids, three dads. My mom has shit luck with men. As soon as she told them she was pregnant they bailed. We’ve never heard from any of them. Mom’s worked multiple jobs for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t so bad when it was just the two of us and I was saving for an apartment of my own when she got pregnant with the twins. No way I could leave her after that. She’s really a great mom. No drinking or drugs, just bad luck I guess.”

Wonder if it was worth finding the deadbeat dads…

Chapter Four

Jason

Should I be upset with the way they took over by not only ordering dinner but handling the kids? It was like they’d been around forever and were likely the only humans Gabriel would ever listen to. The weekly calls from his teacher and his disruptive behavior had grown old and Mom and I were out of ideas. Sikes and Snipe may be just what the entire family needed.

Discipline.

His teacher preached that, but it wasn’t a strong suit for Mom or me.

The twins were a breeze compared to Gabe but could quickly go south if they continued to watch him get away with everything.

“Hey, Jase,” Reagan hugged me as we entered the bar.

“Wow, packed house I see.” Even the hotel lobby was full. Sikes and Snipe bulldozed us through the sea of bodies.

“Yes, and Joey and Stoli walking in forced us to close the gate to the bar and post one of their guards there. No complaints here, though, the bar is turning a great profit thanks to the Masterson bands.”

“Thanks to you and all your hard work,” Josh praised his man.

“Let’s call it a group effort.” Reagan glanced behind me. “New guards?”

---