Page 114 of Ride or Die
We eat and reminisce about our trip here. We drove to New York first, then headed South along the East Coast, ending up in Florida. Then we drove across the South, stopping in all the states for a day or two. We spent a week in California and visited all the typical sightseeing spots.
We sent the Camaro and our belongings over to Hawaii by cargo ship so it was waiting for us when we flew over. We were nervous the entire time as we had hid all of the cash in socks and other various items inside of the car, as well mailing some to a PO box in Hawaii. But everything worked out and now we have a stockpile of cash stashed away in a secured secret spot in our home.
We’re doing things right. We want to be like regular people and live legally. The cash was our nest egg, only for emergency purchases or little splurges like taking a trip or a fancy dinner or painting the Camaro to a beautiful white with black trim. Leaving the dark gray behind in The Shores.
Some days, we can’t help but think of everyone we left behind. Missing them despite the bullshit they put us through. We were some of the lucky ones who escaped from The Shores. Simone, Daya, Axel, Gina, Krissy, Adam, Drai…they are all still trying to survive there while we are living the dream.
After lunch, Colton opens his legs for me and I position myself between them, leaning against his chest. He rests his chin on my shoulder, wrapping his arms around me as we watch the ocean waves crash in. Surfers, children running and playing inthe distance, the sight is so calming to watch. We just relax there, sitting silently, watching the day come to a close.
“Colton,” a soft voice interrupts our peace, and we both look to the right.
“Mom?…D-Dad?” Colton’s voice says shakily.
My mouth goes dry. Holy fucking shit. Colton’s dad, who abandoned them and forced Colt into stealing cars and racing, is standing before us. In Maui.
“See, Colt, I told you. I told you he’d come back for me. He promised,” his mom says proudly, looking at his dad with complete admiration. Colton jumps to his feet, and I am right there with him.
Who the fuck does this guy think he is walking up to us all smiles after the shit he pulled?
“Where the fuck have you been? Huh?” Colton asks angrily to the thin man with graying hair who looks exactly like Colt, only twenty years older.
“Son—” His dad reaches out for him, but Colt slaps his hand away.
“Don’t fucking call me son! You abandoned us! You abandoned her! Do you know what I had to do to take care of us?! You could have ruined my life! And you just walk up to me with that stupid fucking smile and think you can call me son? You’re nothing to me!” Colt screams, drawing attention from other beachgoers.
“But look at you now! I didn’t actually ruin your life, did I? You were strong, like I raised you to be. Colton, you need to understand what happened...” Colt puts up his hand.
“No. I don’t,” he says abruptly. “I know you left in the middle of the night. Without a goodbye, you left her crying every single day. You left her to fight cancer, and me, a fucking eleven-year-old kid, stealing cars to save her life!” Colt’s voice wavers, tryingto hold back all the emotions. His dad lets out a sigh, and his shoulders sag in disappointment.
“Colt, let him explain,” I say gently as my hand runs up his shoulder, the tension easing under my touch. I look over at his dad and nod at him to continue.
“Williams was my best friend. I used to steal cars for him too. When I got into a lot of heat, he got me set up as a mechanic working on cars in some bumfuck town in Idaho. I taught you to steal because it’s what supported us. Otherwise, you’d never get out, and you did. Williams looked out for you, offered you the job and always kept an eye on you for me. I always knew what was going on, and it broke my fucking heart, but if I showed up anywhere near The Shores, the fucks I got into trouble with would have killed you. When Williams contacted me to tell me you had left with your girlfriend, I knew it was time. I got your mom out of there, and we came for you.”
“I could have died because of you. Layla saved me, you selfish fuck! I don’t give a fuck about your reasons. You have no idea what we went through because of you. I’ve lived twelve years without you, I sure as shit don’t need you now. Go back to the mainland and stay the fuck away from us.” Colton points at him, and his eyes turn to Jen.
"I'm sorry, Mom, I can't fucking do it," he says firmly and storms off down the beach. They both look at me with guilt on their faces, and I give them a weak smile.
“Just give him some time. I’ll talk to him.”
“I’m really sorry for dropping this bomb on you, sweetheart. But it’s good to see you. You’re glowing.” Jen compliments.
I smile at her. "You too, Jen. Nice to officially meet you, Dane.” I put out my hand for his dad.
“Nice to meet you, Layla. Sorry it’s under these circumstances.”
“Yeah, you have some serious ass-kissing to do. How’d you find us? Why are you here?”
“I told you Williams has looked out for Colton and Jen this entire time. He’s my best friend, he knows where you are. But don’t worry, he respects the hell out of you kids. You don’t need to worry about him.” I swallow hard. His reassurance does not ease my nerves. We thought we were smart, taking the long way. But I guess Williams proved himself when he said his reach was far.
Fuck.
“Listen, we’re renting a place not far from here. Talk to Colton, come for dinner tonight. I just want us to be a family again,” Jen pleads. “That’s why we’re here. We really didn’t mean any harm in showing up unannounced.” I reach out and grab her hand, giving her a smile. I see Colton in the distance, standing at the edge of the ocean, staring out into the abyss.
“Don’t worry, Jen, you know how I handle your son. We’ll be there.”
She lets out a hearty laugh. “That I do. My god, your love reminds me of our own.” She smiles. It’s the first time I’ve seen Jen this happy since I’ve known her. I mean, Dane left before I even moved to The Shores. It really is amazing, the power of love. We part ways, and they leave me to talk to Colton.
It takes a couple of hours and some convincing, but we’re walking hand in hand to his parents’ place, which is legitimately ten minutes down the road.
