Page 91 of Burnout
“You’re right.” His mouth pulls into a sad smile. “But I’m here now. Doesn’t that count for something?”
“Not to me.”
“But maybe to your brothers. Does Flynn even know that I’ve tried to see him over the years?”
Anger vibrates and prickles my skin. This isn’t the first time he’s shown up claiming he’s different and wants to see everyone. Luckily, I’ve been able to intercept.
“No, because I’m not going to let you fuck with his head. You can’t pop in whenever you want and pretend like you give a shit, then disappear on him. I’m not going to let you do that. Not now. Not ever.”
Flynn doesn’t remember him being around. It wasn’t something he had to grieve and I’m thankful for that. Losing one parent was hard enough on him.
“I’m only asking to see him. He should get a say in whether or not he wants to talk to me.” He tucks a piece of paper under the windshield wiper. “My number. At least think about sharing it with your brothers.”
I load up my bike so fast, eager to get away from him. I throw open the door of my truck. “Stay away from all of us.”
My anger has turned to a simmering boil that won’t let me sit still. I pace the living room as I tell Hendrick and Archer about Dad showing up at the track. Brogan’s here too. Flynn’s still at practice. I came straight home so I could talk to them without him around.
“I was afraid this was going to happen,” Hendrick says and signs. We don’t always sign entire conversations, but any time it’s this important, we all do.
“It’s been more than a year since the last time he reached out to me. I was hoping he finally got the hint that we don’t want him around.”I work my jaw back and forth.
“What’d he say?”Hendrick asks.
“Same shit. He apologized and said he wanted to see everyone.”
“Has he tried to contact you directly?”Hendrick asks Archer.
Arch follows along, nodding.“Just the one time, and Flynn’s never said anything about Dad reaching out to him.”
It’s quiet except for the low volume of the TV in the background. They’re talking motocross, but I don’t even care right now.
“We can’t continue keeping him in the dark,”Hendrick says.
The words feel like a slap.“Why the hell not?”
“He’s old enough to decide for himself if he wants a relationship with Dad.”
I’m so stunned I can’t even speak. Hendrick hates Dad as much as I do, I’m sure of that.
“I hate to say it, but I agree with him.”Brogan is the next to speak. “I’m not sure if I get a say, but I can tell you if it were my dad trying to contact me, I’d at least want to know.”
I look to Arch for backup. He’s always reasonable.
“Maybe they have a point.”He doesn’t look happy about it, but it’s clear whose side he’s on.
“Are you all serious right now?”I glance between them.“You’ve all lost your minds. There’s no fucking way I’m letting him back into our lives.”
“Flynn doesn’t remember all the shit we do,” Hendrick says.
“Exactly. He’s the only one Dad didn’t fuck up, and I’m not about to let him get his chance now.”
THIRTY
I’m aboutto climb into bed and watch some TV when Quinn yells my name from the living area of our dorm room.
“Yeah?” I call back.
She doesn’t answer, but then there are more voices. Did she invite people over? I walk over to the door and open it. Knox smiles and waves from where he stands in the entryway of our suite.
