Page 156 of Deliverance

“You think?” I spy a glance toward the sounds.

“Women always talk about men when they get together.”

“Really? And what made you the expert?” I guffaw.

He brings his palm to his mouth and murmurs, “A mother. A sister. Two marriages, and apparently, a future designer I’m raising.”

Justice fucking Cross is absolutely pussy-whipped and doesn’t even attempt to hide it.

“Let’s leave them be.” He makes a vague hand gesture and walks in the direction of the den, so I follow.

“Z-man!” Cruz raises his chin from the game controller to greet me. “What’s happening?” He’s sprawled out on the couch in front of the flat screen TV, where the intense military action unveils as we speak. Jazzy and Rocky are both watching him with genuine reverence.

The door to the terrace is open and I note Wendy’s silhouette. She’s on the phone, purple hair braided.

Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are on the small table in the corner.

“So!” Cruz pauses the game. “I heard something about you and Drew.”

“Dad! Come on!” His nine-year-old throws both hands in the air.

“Let’s take a break, buddy. Okay?” He sets the controller in his lap and returns his attention to me.

Suddenly, I feel like I’m under a microscope.

“Spill, Zander.” Wendy smirks from the doorway, slipping her phone back into the pocket of her skinny jeans. How this woman can still pull off the scene kid look after two pregnancies is a mystery to me.

“There’s nothing to spill,” I say, eyeing a rocker chair in the corner, away from Cruz’s monsters. Well, away from his entire family that seems to hail from hell itself.

Justice walks over to the couch opposite of where the bassist is sitting and settles in.

“Liar.” Wendy rolls her eyes and steps into the den. “You two are on TMZ.”

“Since when are you reading TMZ?”

“I’ve been reading TMZ all my life.” She shrugs. “Unlike you, I believe in bad press.”

“What’s bad press, Mom?” Jazzy asks.

“Adult stuff you don’t need to worry about, bud.” Cruz cups his small head and draws him closer.

“Like porn?” Rocky shouts.

The room goes completely silent.

I cover my mouth with my hand before Wendy sees me laughing.

“What did you just say?” She shoots daggers at her twelve-year-old.

“What’s porn?” Jazzy perks up.

Cruz clears his throat, his entire body tense. “Okay, you know what, guys? This is a conversation for another time.”

“Major parenting fail.” I cough into my fist and glance at Justice, who looks utterly confused.

“Are you doing it again?” Wendy’s eyes lock on her husband.

Ouch. Seems like trouble in paradise.

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