Page 105 of Illicit

Thank goodness no one mentioned donuts.

A dramatic trip to the hospital and now sitting around waiting for hours has made for a long night after a long day. I recline back as far as I can without sliding onto the floor in this very hard chair. My eyes are closed, and I’m imagining being wrapped up in a naked Teagan rather than my back turning into another pretzel. This is worse than the corner of my sofa.

“You know, this isn’t the way I envisioned this stage of life,” Tim says, breaking into my naked thoughts about his youngest daughter.

I suck in a deep breath and force myself to an upright seated position. “Sammie will be better off on her own. Her boyfriend seemed like a tool.”

“I have no doubt she’ll be better off without him. I secretly hope he doesn’t come crawling back.”

“No offense, but given her temperament lately, I doubt that will happen.”

Tim tips his head, as if he doesn’t want to agree, but does. “True. Even so, I hate to see her alone. I don’t want that for any of you. Life is hard enough. To go it alone is … well, it makes everything harder.”

I lean forward to rest my elbows on my knees and stare at the floor. Most of the time it feels like second nature to be included in the Coleman family.

Then, every once in a while, Tim or Annette say something like that. Effortlessly including me in a wish for their kids. Hell, I wasn’t even a kid when I moved in with them, no matter what Teagan says about my emotional state at the time.

“And then there’s your father,” he says on a turn.

No comment. What the hell is there to say? My father will try to wreak havoc on my life or he won’t. If he does, I’ll take care of it.

Whether I do that through the legal system or on my own will be determined.

The legal system failed me once. I’ll be more than happy to take care of it on the side.

I’m not sure if he’s delirious from lack of sleep or emotional about the state of his family, but Tim doesn’t need me to help further this conversation. He’s doing a bang-up job all by himself.

“I can’t imagine how you feel knowing he’s out. Especially after some asshole judge released him based on your testimony. This is a scenario I never thought would happen. Annette and I know we have an unusual relationship with you. We have no claim to you. We’re not your parents. But I’ve got to tell you, Roc, nothing’s pissed me off more than knowing Rodney Monroe is free. And not even because he wants some type of retaliation for your testimony. I know you can handle yourself. It’s about me, which is fucking crazy. Like he’s going to duel me to win the role of your father.”

There’s something to know about Tim Coleman. He’s not a verbose man. Still, you always know where he stands on any issue.

His emotional diatribe is unusual, to say the least. Sammie being in labor and having a grandchild must have Tim all up in his feels.

I stand and move into the path he’s wearing in the waiting room. When I put a hand up, he stops in front of me.

“You’ve got a lot going on,” I start. “Sammie, the baby, Teagan moving. I get it. Brax and Micah treat me like a younger brother. King treats me like an equal. But if there’s one thing you and Annette can count on, it’s that no one in this world has treated me like a son other than the two of you. You’re having a moment, but that’s the last thing in the world you need to worry about.”

Emotion washes over his features that were already plagued by exhaustion, both the physical and emotional kind.

He puts a hand on my shoulder and gives me a squeeze. He even leaves it there for a long moment.

The universal guy substitute for a hug.

“What’s going on?”

We both turn to see Teagan standing at the opening to the hall. Her eyes are wide and she’s glaring at me.

I’m quick to answer. “Nothing.”

“We were having a moment,” Tim amends.

“What about?” she snaps.

“My father.” I glare back so she’ll stop with the inquisition. “How are things going…” I wave my hand around. “Back there?”

She rubs her face, and I realize she’s crying. “Not good. She’s not progressing. She’s pushed for the last hour and a half … but nothing. They’re taking her for a C-section.”

This time, it’s my turn to give Tim the shoulder squeeze. He looks like he needs one.

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