Page 57 of Reaching Roland

“Thank you.”

“Not a problem,” Oz said before he ran for the other end of the bar again.

As I moved away, Roland gripped my arm lightly and whispered in my ear, “Since we’re all going to be together Saturday night, do you want to pack a bag and spend the night, shortcake?”

“Yes, yes, I do. So much, Daddy.” We shared a kiss, and then I went to the other side of Indie.

He bumped my arm lightly and leaned into me, whispering, “I couldn’t help but overhear. You’re pumping your fists in the air internally, aren’t you?”

“Abso-fucking-lutely.”

Roland didn’t say anything, but I heard him hum happily, and I knew it had nothing to do with his food.

Chapter Twenty

ROLAND

Miss Georgina, Cameron, and Indie joined Kenny and I for dinner before Indie’s presentation. It was a more somber affair than any dinner we'd had previously. Indie was a jumble of nerves, fidgeting and pushing his food around on his plate. Miss Georgina and I sat back and allowed Cameron to fuss over him, but I could tell it was as hard for her as it was for me not to pull him into her arms and comfort him. As we pulled up outside of Takoda Lodge, I went around to the passenger side and opened the doors for Kenny and Miss Georgina. As I helped her out and then shut the door, Kenny peered inside where Cameron had Indie enfolded in his arms.

“Should we tell him he doesn't have to do this, Daddy?” Kenny asked.

Miss Georgina grabbed his hand. “I think he does, though. It'll be hard for him, but this is the stand he needs to take against his father.”

“Maybe he won't even be here,” Kenny said hopefully.

Scanning the vehicles in the parking lot, I spotted Bart's truck. “No, he's here.”

Kenny slipped his hand into mine and squeezed. “How are you doing with this? Have you seen Bart since reconnecting with Indie?”

“Yeah, I saw him a couple of times because he showed up at my door. Eventually, I had to answer. I told him I had some stuff going on, and I needed some time to myself. He didn’t like it, but I wasn’t letting him in, so what could he do?”

Miss Georgina tsked. “I wish Indie had let you punch him out.”

I heard the door close, and Indie approached, huddling up under Cameron's arm. “I think this will be better than physical violence. Don't you, Indie?” I asked.

He blinked up at me like a wounded animal with fear in his eyes. I pulled him into my chest for the bearhug I'd been yearning to give him. “I think it doesn't matter how tonight affects your sperm donor. What matters is raising money for the Outreach so they can go on and help more people like you.” I pulled back and stared into the face of the man who’d been so precious and dear to me since the day he was born. “That's what we focus on tonight, okay? Helping people.”

His eyes shimmered with tears, but he straightened his spine, pushed his shoulders back, and turned to Kenny. “How do I look? Did I mess up my hair or makeup?”

Kenny had fanagaled his schedule earlier so that Indie was his last client. He'd freshened up his hair, streaking it like a rainbow to reinforce his point tonight and then one of Kenny’s co-workers had done his makeup. The kid looked fantastic.

Kenny handed him a lip gloss. “Freshen up your lips, and you're ready to go.”

Miss Georgina moved forward and clasped Indie’s hands in her frail ones. “I couldn't be prouder of you, Indie. No matter what happens tonight, I’m so proud that you're my grandson.”

“Even if I run off stage crying?” Indie joked, but we all heard the seriousness in his tone.

Miss Georgina huffed. “You're not going to do anything of the kind. You got this far, and now you're going to kick ass.”

I bit back a grin at the feisty woman, and Cameron winked at her.

Indie took another deep breath and closed his eyes. As he blew it out, a peaceful calm cloaked him like a blanket. “I think my mom is here watching over me tonight.”

“I know she is,” I choked out.

Kenny's gaze went from me to Cameron. “I bet Rhonda’s with her, holding her hand and cheering you all on.”

“Yeah,” Cameron said. He looked up to the sky. “I think so, too.” He held out one arm to Miss Georgina and the other to Indie. “Shall we?”

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