Page 24 of Sunshine
I rise, panic turning to rage. Rage unfortunately aimed at the closest person.
“Unless you keep the noise level to a minimum until noon, I’ll make your life a living hell, Mr. Callen, now take your coffee and get the hell off my property.”
He blinks and I can’t decide if the words just haven’t sunk in yet or if he’s in shock. But I don’t wait to find out. I get up and storm to the door, ignoring the burning pain in my ankle, and yank it open, waiting for him to leave.
Case’s square jaw shifts and his eyes narrow slightly. For a second I wonder if pissing off a man his size is a good idea, but he passes me through the door without so much as a growl.
As soon as he’s gone, I promptly start to hyperventilate. In full-blown panic mode, I clutch my chest and sink to the floor.
I can’t handle another legal battle or another confrontation with an asshole judge. I must write this damn book.
I shoot Paige a message as soon as I’ve meditated myself into a calmer state and sit my ass back in front of my laptop where I write the most terrible chapter of my life.
Chapter Eight
Case
“So, what happened with the author?” Mack, my former informant, current best friend, and work foreman, asks, popping his hard hat on.
“It didn’t go well,” I say firmly as I strap on my tool belt. “She kicked me out and threatened to make my life a living hell if I didn’t keep quiet until noon.” I laugh, trying to shake the irritation from my voice.
“Christ,” he curses, his face darkening. “Your offer was a fucking gift. You have no legal obligation?—”
“Mack…” I cut him off.
He’s a hothead and not used to being in a world where people don’t obey his every command—where his word—our wordis law. I’m starting to think I’m not either because I want to shake some sense into Lily’s granddaughter. Except shake isn’t the verb I really mean.
“This isn’t about what I can legally do or not. It’s about building a community for my kid. Having good people around is important. Reece is going to go nuts over that farm. I told you about her new chicken fascination?”
He snorts. “Right,goodpeople. Open your eyes, Python, she’s a spoiled brat. Reece doesn’t need that kind of influence, chicken fascination or not. Besides, isn’t one kid enough to deal with?”
I shoot him a look, partly for the name slip and partly because of the ‘isn’t one child enough’ comment, and he waves me off, lowering to lace his boots. “Yeah, yeah, I know you want a fucking herd of kids, but women-children aren’t nearly as cute.”
My brow rises. “Oh yeah, is that so,Daddy Mack?”I say, the last word in a high-pitched girly voice, my hackles starting to lower with my own argument.
“That’s different and you know it.” He winks switching to his other boot. “An obedient adult little girl who calls you Daddy while bouncing on your dick is nothing like dealing with a brat who thinks she’s entitled to the world stopping so she can get some fucking romance book written.”
I shrug. “I’m not looking for either, Mack. This is for Reece, so I gotta try with this woman. Besides, Lily was good people. And I’m sure Tessa is too. She’s just going through some shit.”
“You always did like your kitties with claws. Those club girls were never good enough for you. They gave it up too easily for ol’ Python.”
The name Python send shivers up my spine, but I don’t correct him. “Reality check, Mack.” I cross my arms. “Club life isn’t real life, which is where we live now.”
He shrugs. “Not all parts of the Ransom were bad.” He rises, cracking his knuckles like some fucking cliche.
“And that’s where we disagree,” I say. A small voice inside me counters my verbalization and my stomach rolls. Closing my eyes, I once again fight the intrusive thoughts that I belong behind bars like the rest of the club members because yeah, some of it wasn’t so bad.
“Case?”
Mack’s voice snaps me out of it, just as the cold sweats start and a knot grows tight between my shoulder blades.
“You push her buttons at least?”
It’s like he’s saying, ‘see I know you,’ and ‘I’m just busting your balls.’ And it’s as close to an apology I’ll get for his slip-ups. But he does know me. He’s been by my side for a long time. First as a childhood friend, then an informant and club brother, and finally best friend. One that knows he just sent me spiraling.
My mouth slides up on one side, hiding the haunting feeling inside me. “You know I did.”
He laughs.
