Page 77 of His End Game

“No. I think she was hoping I’d talk to her, but I didn’t.”

“And she didn’t want to see your hands?”

“No. She kept looking at them, but I didn’t take my gloves off and I won’t ever.”

“I know she’s your mom, and you’ve lost your dad, but all I care about is you. Especially when I’m not there for you.”

I smile in the safety he can’t see how happy his words make me, and I bite into my bottom lip.

“Thanks, I needed to hear that.”

“Always.”

A deep voice hollers and it sounds like chaos starting in the background.

“Is everything okay on your end?”

“Yeah, just a couple of guys getting into it over a bottle of shower gel.”

“Really?”

“You’d be surprised what shit kicks off over in here.”

“Well, I hope you keep your shower gel safe.” I snort.

“Yeah.” He laughs. “I’ve got it locked down. Anyway, I’ll let you go so you can get back to Rayna.”

“Thanks for calling,” I say lamely.

“No worries. I’ll call later as usual.”

“Okay, bye.”

He ends the call and I drop my phone between my legs. Once again, I’m living on a yo-yo. One minute, I’m sinking and then with one phone call, I’m back up again. I drive back to Nina’s and I’m not the only one. Kristen’s car is on the drive and Slade, Cas, and Sparky are riding up behind me.

I smile their way as I climb out of the car and Cas tips his chin in return. Nina lets us all in and the house becomes too small for the large personalities.

I slip by the guys and into the living room. Kristen is sitting on the floor, playing with Rayna and Sebastian. She’s in her element. I sit on the couch and Nina joins me.

“Is your mom okay?” Nina asks.

“She will be.” I smile and it’s left alone.

“Well, we decided to have a cookout since Cas and Sparky invited themselves for dinner with Slade. Would you like to stay?”

Smiling, I say, “Sure.”

If Mom can reach out and let me in again, I can try with the people who have been there for me in one way or another recently.

Chapter Twenty-One

Leo

“I’ve got some information for ya, brother,” Mason says.

“Yeah?”

Glancing at his knuckles, I see they’ve scabbed over. He was back in our cell with ten seconds to spare out of his five-minute time frame and nothing’s come back on him so far.

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