Page 51 of Healed
“Nope. He’d take it as a personal challenge and take you outside where you’d take turns tackling inanimate objects until you could determine who could tackle the toughest targets with the least damage to body and limb,” Daisy said.
“I’d win” Havoc said, stealing another fry. “Damn, girl. Those fries are rock hard and cold. I hope mine are better than that when they make it to the table, or I’m gonna be complaining — loudly.”
“They were hot when they were fresh. We’ve been sitting here a while.”
“Like a week or something?” Havoc asked, making a face at the taste of the last fry he tried to eat.
“No. Just a couple of hours.”
“Hours?! That’s a lot of talking.”
“We’re getting acquainted.”
Havoc looked at Charlie, then at Daisy. He leaned toward Charlie, and lowered his voice conspiratorially. “Hey, my man, let me just lay it out for you. She’s everybody’s favorite cousin. She’s sweet and trusting. You got to pass muster before you’re allowed to take her out.”
“Havoc! Go away. I’m older than you and perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
Havoc eyed Daisy, then Charlie again. “You that guy with the cute little genius artist kid, aren’t you?”
“I think so,” Charlie said, grinning at the antics going on between this man and Daisy. They were obviously family. And close family. They treated each other like siblings, though she’d said they were cousins.
“Yes, this is him,” Daisy said.
Havoc brushed his fingers off on his pants and extended his hand. “Hi, how you doing? I’m Havoc.”
“Hi, Havoc. I’m Charlie.”
“Be nice to my cousin or I’ll hunt you down and cut out your heart,” Havoc said.
“Jesus, Havoc! Go away!”
“What are you doing?” Annalise said, as she and Harley walked up to the table.
“I’m visiting, baby. Look! I found Daisy and Charlie.”
Analise smiled beautifully at Charlie. “Hi, Charlie. It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard all about you and your fabulously talented son.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you as well.”
“I’m Harley. This is my mom, and this is my dad,” she said pointing at them each as she introduced them.
“Hello, Harley. You have a super cool name,” Charlie said.
“I know,” she said, grinning ear-to-ear. “My daddy named me.”
The pager in Analise’s hand started vibrating and she held it up. “Our table is ready!”
“Good, I’m so hungry!” Harley said.
“You ate a bag of chips on the way over,” Havoc said.
“It was a little bag, Daddy,” Harley complained.
“Your boy is what? Six, seven?” Havoc asked.
“Just turned seven,” Charlie said.
“You should bring him over, he and Harley could play while we visit for a while,” Havoc said.
