Page 3 of Bad Boy
“I’m not having this conversation with you right now, Remington. It’s been a long ten hours,” she sighs wearily, completely defeated. And it fucking has, so I drop it.
“Let’s go in, then. I won’t deny this place looks pretty fucking sick.” I peer at her out of the corner of my eye and see her lip twitch. She’s never scolded me for cursing; it would be hypocritical as fuck.
“I guess I have missed it a little,” she concedes, putting on a brave face before opening her door and stepping out. I do the same, eager to see my new home.
The wind is cool and crisp, refreshing compared to the usual exhaust fumes and generalgarbagesmell of the inner city. I take a deep breath, letting the fresh mountain air flow through my system and wash away my annoyance at this secret fuckingwealthshe’s been hiding when we’ve lived in near poverty my entire life. I’ve never even had my own bedroom, for fuck’s sake. I literally went from the crib to a pull-out sofa bed.
We don’t have much—two suitcases each, six boxes, and no furniture. It was all second-hand junk, and now I know why Mom didn’t give a shit about throwing anything away.
I reach out and grab the giant, brass lion door knocker. I don’t know if you’re actually supposed to use it, but it’s there, so here we fucking go. The metallic clang sounds like a gong from the outside, so I can’t imagine what it sounds like echoing on the inside. We wait for a minute, and nothing happens, but this house is huge, so I cut the old man some slack.
When no one answers after another couple of minutes, I bang on the door with my fist, leaning in to put my weight into it. I need to make sure whoever the fuck is in there can hear me this time. I’m tired and want a shower and a quick jerk off. I need to release some tension.
The thick, wooden door swings inward unexpectedly, and I fall forward, smacking my face into the chest of a giant. I stumble back and peer up. . . and up. I’m pretty sure my mouth is hanging wide open with how far back my head is craned to look this massive man in the face. Dressed in a full penguin suit, he has neatly styled short brown hair and dark eyes. He stares down at me, unblinking and unimpressed.
“Lurch?” I ask, smirking like the smartass I am. He grunts and turns to stroll down a dim hallway while we wait in the foyer.
Guess this dude is the butler or some shit.
“I see Clifford is still around. Never did like him,” Mom says, muttering the last part. But I’m distracted by the five-star ski lodge I’m currently standing in. How the fuck is this my newhome? How the fuck did Momgrow uphere? My mind is completely blown right now.
Oversized wooden beams crisscross the twenty-foot-tall ceiling, and a natural stone fireplace taller than me is off to the side in what appears to be a formal living room. Rustic, cabin-themed décor—including little wooden ducks and deer-print throw pillows—fills the entire space, causing my attention to bounce around uncontrollably.
My eyes catch on an interesting cuckoo clock hanging on the board and batten paneling—complete with pine trees, a lumberjack, and what appears to be tiny drunk people in lederhosen at a pub—and then immediately dart to several others.
There are also seven-foot-tall grandfather clocks, with swinging gold pendulums and ornate carvings that quite possibly cost the same as someone’s annual salary. Does the old man have a hard-on for telling time or some shit? Because this is likecrazy old cat ladyshit, but with clocks.
A loud, raspy gasp echoes from the dark hallway thatLurchjust disappeared down. “Raina?” an older man, probably in his sixties, asks as he appears from the shadows, bringing a shaky hand to his forehead and rubbing nervously. He has dark hair that’s graying on the sides and kind brown eyes. I can see the family resemblance between us as we stand here, staring at each other in the foyer.
I clear my throat and break the awkward silence first. “Yep. Sure is, Gramps. And I’m Remington, but Remi will do just fine.” I hold out my hand and give him my best good boy grin, even though I’m sure he knows I’ve been up to none. He chuckles and grasps my hand, pulling me into an unexpected hug. I’m frozen for a moment, unsure how to react to such a fatherly embrace.
“My boy! Let me take a look at you.” He holds me at arm’s length, and I allow him to. The pure happiness on his face is a little heartbreaking. He’s probably been so lonely in this giant house. “You sure are a Keller! You must be a heartthrob with all the girls.”
I don’t tell him I like boys, too. Best to not give the old man a heart attack on the first day of meeting him. Instead, I give him my signature grin and shrug, causing his hearty chuckle to reappear.
Mom finally breaks out of her trance and hesitantly steps forward. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Rainy,” he replies, voice shaky. He pulls her into an equally tight embrace, and I’m surprised she lets him. Mom isn’t really a hugger.
He steps back after a few moments, eyes shining. “I’m so,sohappy to have you both home. You have no idea.”
I feel a little uncomfortable being around such a strong display of emotion from another man. I’m just not used to it. Unless it’s negative and involves violence.ThatI’m very familiar with.
I glance at Mom, who looks even younger than usual, as she peers down at her simple black leggings and Chucks. She seems shy and unsure and so very unlike her normal spunky self.
“Eighteen years was far too long, baby girl.” At his slightly accusing words, her dark gaze flicks up and hardens.
“Richard. Let’s not get into all that right now. I have plenty I could say, but it’s been a long day, and Remi and I are exhausted. Can you show us to our rooms, please?”
“Of course, Rainy. Please excuse my forwardness. I’ve missed you so much, and I’m so elated that you’re both here. You can leave your things in the car, and Clifford will collect them. Follow me.” His kind, wrinkled face has fallen slightly, and I can’t understand what Mom was thinking to cut this seemingly gentle old man out of our lives. Never even gave me a fucking chance to know him. It pisses me off.
There will be plenty of time for us to clear the air later, and I’m ready to crash, so I keep my mouth shut and follow behind as I trail my hand up the polished oak banister. Rustic logs make up the railing, adding to the cabin-like charm of the oversized home. Somehow making it cozy.
When we get to the second floor, we veer left, and Richard shows Mom to her oversized bedroom suite. “As you know, Rainy, my room is at the end of the hall. I’ve put Remi in your old bedroom, in the opposite wing.”
Oh, fuck yeah. My own wing.
I act cool and don’t say anything, even though all possible ways I could sneak out are playing like an action movie in my head right now.
