Page 108 of Introvert

"But I want to see my boys," he said.

I saw Felix freeze beside me.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Felix acted like it was nothing."Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

But his eyes were fixed on the scene in front of us. As Ryker stood from his bunk, I noticed his stiff posture as well. The scowl he wore would've scared anyone within a five-mile radius.

"You can't stop me," the man said again, and I noticed the slightest slur in his words. He tried to take a step closer but stumbled into the side of the bus."My sons will want tosee me."

"Not so sure about that," Essie mumbled.

He straightened. "Excuse me?"

"Listen," shesaid, not moving an inch, still guarding the door, "you're drunk. Like I said, this is my bus, and those are my boys while they're on it. I'm not letting you on. Go sleep it off."

The man glared at her then turned his bleary eyes on the window.

The glass was tinted. No one could seein, but the passengers could clearly see outside. And what we saw was getting uglier by the second.

"Ryker, Felix, get out here," he yelled and banged his fist against the side of the bus. "Come outand see your old man."

Essie told him to "Stop that," but he kept right on.We were standing close enough that I felt Felix stiffen further.

"I'll wait all day if I have to."

"You think he means it?" Ryker asked.

Felix gave a jerky shrug. "He's stubborn enough."

"We better go out then."

With that, Felix left my side as he and Ryker walked to the front of the bus to greet their father.Although,"greet" was probably the wrong word.

Deal with.

Handle.

Manage.

They were more accurate.

Turned out Mr. Cordova was persistent, and as dark clouds moved in eclipsing the sun, I had the strangest feeling. Today's forecast called forsunshine and clear skies. But it looked like a storm was coming.

CHAPTER 17

They say the past always comes back to bite you.

In Mr. Cordova's case, he was more of a liar than a biter.

And charming as all get out.

Poor Felix and Ryker. They tried to get him to leave, but their father refused—in the politest way possible. And true to her word, Essie didn't let him on the bus. Aftera few minutes, the rest of us joined Felix and Ryker outside where Mr. Cordova insisted on taking us all out to lunch.

We walked to a little brunch and breakfast place down the block while he regaled us with tales of the past.

He seemed nice at first.

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