Page 7 of Honey Trapped

Her lips tighten. “Not in the picture.”

“Why not?”

“Because he isn't,” her voice shoots up.

“Must be a reason.”

Her bottom lip trembles and her jaw goes slack. “Excuse me. I need to use the restroom.” She pushes her seat back from the table quickly.

“First door to the left down the hall, dear.”

“Do you need to go Lennon?”

“O’tay, Mommy.”

The second they are out of the room my sister starts in. “What’s wrong with you? Stop badgering the girl. I invited her over so you could see she’s a good mother who needs a chance. Now she probably thinks I got her here for an interrogation.”

“Was only making conversation.”

“Bullshit.”

“She’s hiding something.”

“Everyone has secrets. But no one likes being put on the spot like that.”

“Whatever,” I grumble. “I’m a grown man. I don't need mothered.”

“You owe Norah an apology.”

“Whatever. Did you bring me what I asked for?”

“Nope.”

“Biggest pain in my ass,” I mutter.

I bite into my chicken and keep my mouth shut throughout the rest of the meal observing Norah and her kid. Her face has been pale since I brought up her baby daddy.

There’s something more under the surface. Her reaction could just mean the guy is a dickhead, but I get the impression that’s not all it is. Call it intuition.

**

I’ve barely been home long enough to kick off my boots and grab a beer when a knock sounds at my door.

It’s been a long motherfuckin’ day, and I’m not in the mood for more bullshit. I open the door and automatically go to slam it in the cunt’s face.

“Hey, Ace,” Eileen purrs, dressed in a lowcut red top and a denim skirt I’m sure her ass is hangingout of. Bitch loves to show off her body for attention. Sad part is she doesn't even look half as good as she used to.

“Why are you here?”

“You've been out of town, and we didn’t get to talk about Angie.”

“I’ve got nothing to say to you. Now if that’s it get the fuck off my porch before I report your ass for trespassing.”

“I loved her too ya know. You don’t think that killed me?”

“You’re only sad that your last opportunity to drain me of any money is dead. You didn't love Angie. You did, you’d never held her over my head when we split.”

“You think that’s why? Honey, I never thought you’d sign the papers. I thought as long as I had Angie, you’d come back to me.”

---