Page 1 of Rebellious

Theo

Not the star of the story, but a star, nonetheless

“Ibrought beer, tissues, and a can of whoop-ass. Which do you want first?”

My neighbor arches a brow but makes no move to push open the door and allow me in.

I never wanted neighbors—especially ones that lived on my property. Sure, we have a hundred plus acres, but that doesn’t mean my wife, Anniston, should extend our good fortune and allow her business partner and his wife to take up residence on our land.

First, it was Sunday dinners. Next came joint vacations, and now… kidnapping.

“I think we start with the whoop-ass and follow it up with the tissues.”

I promised Anniston I wouldn’t break any bones. A bloody nose… well, that’s still an option.

I nod to the six-pack in my hand. “I brought beer because, unlike you, I’m a decent neighbor and thought it would be tacky to kick your assanddrink your beer.”

Cade, my neighbor and my wife’s business partner, stands imposing against the slim opening in the front door. Dog tags hang against his t-shirt, making him seem a lot more Marine-like than someone should be at three in the morning. “How considerate of you, Von Bremen. I would expect nothing less from such a fine citizen like yourself.”

I thought it was considerate too.

Honestly, when I found my daughter’s room empty, I had no reservations about grabbing a baseball bat and breaking every window of my neighbor’s home until I located my little girl. But my wife, the rational one, convinced me I should negotiate with the kidnappers by humanizing our daughter and all that bullshit. So, I reassessed and decided the best way to do that was to remind our neighbor that even though he is mammoth-sized, he’ll still bleed like a mortal when I take a bat to his face.

Fine, Anniston threatened me and made me leave the bat on the porch. If Cade doesn’t let me in with the thoughtful gifts in hand, I will go back for Plan A.

“You know, Jameson,” I say, shoving the six-pack in his hands, moving him back a step. “I’m getting awfully sick of finding my daughter’s bed empty in the middle of the night. Frankly, it’s not very neighborly. It’s one thing to borrow sugar, but it’s another to borrow one’s child.” I exhale into the night air. “I’m sorry your kid has a hard time falling asleep, but buy him a damn nightlight.” I level him with a flat look. “I told you Aspen does not glow around your son, no matter what her mama says.”

Cade barks out a laugh which deepens the lines at his eyes.

“You look like shit.” I tip my chin in the general direction of his face. “Is that why you blew off our evening run?”

He narrows his eyes, silently crossing his arms over his chest.

That’s okay, I don’t need him to answer. I know this dipshit better than he knows himself. Shoving past him, I mumble, “Looks like we’re starting with the tissues.”

It’s a shame. A good battle of sarcasm with Jameson always puts me in a good mood, even at ass o’clock.

I like to give Jameson a hard time about the lack of sleep, but being up in the middle of the night isn’t that big of a deal. He and I always took the night shift when our kids were infants.

Between us, we had three boys one week apart. I had Fenn, and Jameson had the twins, Drew and Bennett—Bennett being the favored one with my daughter. It didn’t matter that she was merely two years older than Bennett or had a baby brother the same age. She quickly deemed herself guardian of all things Bennett and the queen of our demon boys—the gum that holds the four of them together. Aspen’s also the reason I set my alarm to check her room at three in the morning.

Thanks to her, I have no problem sleeping lightly and getting a jump start on my morning workouts.

The door shuts, and I feel Cade’s mountain-man steps lumbering behind me as I proceed down the hall to Bennett’s room, where I’m sure my daughter awaits.

“They’re asleep,” he whispers.

“Well, I would hope so,” I clip. “Otherwise, I would reconsider allowing my kids to come over. All I need is for Anniston’s angel and Fenn influenced by your two demons.”

I turn back in time to see Cade roll his eyes in the dim-lit hall. “You mean precious Fenn, your son, the one escorted off school property for setting fire to the wheat field behind the playground?”

I chuckle. He’s right, Fenn’s a demon too.

“If I remember it correctly, Drew had the lighter.”

Cade sighs. “Those two are our punishment for all the awful things we did as kids.”

I scoff. “Speak for yourself, Jameson. I did no such things to deserve that little monster. I’m pretty sure he’s Anniston’s karma.”

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