Page 36 of Keg's Revelation

I raised my hand and cut Ry off. “Kid, you really need to quit watching those shows.”

Dad laughed. “The part your da...Reed left out was him getting soaked along with some of the guys who had already arrived in preparation for the party. They were all jumping around dodging the canisters and the spraying beer.”

“Did they get mad at you?”

It helped that my son’s voice was filled with concern. I usually avoided the story when asked by the prospects. It’d been plain embarrassing for me. As the president’s son, I thought I had to be better than any of the other prospects. That it was expected of me. But the ribbings I’d received over the accident was in good fun and showed me that they didn’t look at me any different than any other prospect.

“They weren’t too happy and told me in a few choice words. But accidents happen, and they eventually laughed about.”

“Did you get to see him covered in beer?” Ry asked his mom, and I turned my head to look at her. Her nose was crinkled, but her eyes held humor.

“He’d put on dry clothes before he showed up, but he still reeked like he’d taken a bath in beer.”

“Hey, in my defense, I was more interested in spending time with you.”

“Aww, that’s sweet. Still, it didn’t help when you took me to the movies and we received all those looks.” Raven stood and started clearing the table.

“You don’t have to do that, sweetheart. I’ll get to it later.”

“It won’t take but a few minutes. Consider it as my thank you for allowing me and the kids to join you today. Besides, you cooked.”

Watching her interact with my dad, the three of them sharing a table with us—felt normal when it was anything but. Wanting her was easy, and I did want her.

Wouldn’t a shrink have a field day inside my head? Hate and love were said to be closely related, I finally understood it.

I stood, needing my feet on solid ground. “While we’re here and I have some cheap labor with me today.” I looked at Ry and winked, then turned back to my dad. “I thought I’d haul a few of my boxes out of the storage shed.”

“Sounds good. If I could get Sami to come and get her crap, I might get to store some of my things in there, instead of the garage.”

“Good luck with that. With Ally in school and her pregnant, not sure when they’ll find the time to make a trip here. Though she’s dying to meet Ry, so she might pop in anytime. But if you really want the shed cleared out, we could load her stuff and take it to her.”

“I don’t have any plans for the shed. Just like giving you and her a hard time about it.”

“All done,” Raven said as she crossed the kitchen and stopped behind Reagan’s chair. “Need any more help with toting boxes? I can pitch in.”

“Me, too,” Reagan added.

“Well, then I guess we should get started since I have such eager helpers. I’ll even pay you with pizza and tokens later.”

“You were already taking us there. How is that pay?” Ry questioned. The kid was sharp, I’d give him that.

Dad stood. “As fun as it sounds. I think I’ll ride over to the club and leave you all to it.”

I frowned. “You need me?”

“You’re good. A couple things to take care of, and I want to check on Freak.”

I could tell Dad wasn’t wanting to talk in front of Raven and the kids about club business. Raven picked up on it, too.

“Come on, kids. Let’s go outside while we wait for Reed.”

“I’ll be right behind you. I need to grab the key to the shed first.”

“Take your time.” She and the kids started toward the back door.

“In case you are gone before I get back, it was good seeing, Raven. Enjoyed having you and the kids here.” My dad laid one hand on Ry’s shoulder and one on Reagan’s. “Looking forward to getting to know you both better.” He removed his hands from their shoulders and reached in his pocket and pulled out money. Wild Bill always had cash in a clip. “Here you go. Play some arcade games on me,” he said and handed a twenty to Ry and a twenty to Reagan. “Anytime you want to come over, you let Reed or your mom know, okay?”

Ry and Reagan nodded and thanked him for the money. Raven hugged him, and I watched them as they walked out the back door, then asked, “What’s going on? If you need me at the club, I can run Raven and the kids home and meet you there.”

---