Page 99 of Shine: Sins of the Father
“Yes. The doctor said I’ve got a bruised sternum from where the seatbelt locked, and they think I may have cracked a rib on my side where the second car hit.”
“They think?” My father steps forward.
“The doctor said he thought from the way I cried out when he pressed on it, but wanted to confirm with an x-ray. I didn’t want to leave Dylan, so I haven’t had it done yet. I want Dylan seen to first.”
“We’re here now. We can stay with Dylan. I’m going to step out and tell them to come get that x-ray, and I’ve got to make a call,” my father says to us both, then kisses my head. “Thank God it wasn’t worse.”
When he’s gone, I squeeze my mother’s hand. “It all happened so fast, and there was nothing I could do.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Reckless—
Billy racks the balls on the green felt, then steps away.
They clack when I break, and one goes left, right where I want it. I make the easy pocket shot and move on to the next.
Billy looks at me, then glances to where TJ sits on a barstool. Gigi left a bit ago with their baby, and TJ is shooting the shit with Rafe and Kyle.
Shine was distracted, texting, then took off without a word.
When I make the next shot, I miss, and Billy steps up to take his turn. I stand with the pool cue in my hands, the butt resting on the floor, watching.
TJ makes his way over, and his sharp eyes connect with mine over the beer bottle he tips up for a long pull. I ready myself for the questions I see in his eyes, and he doesn’t disappoint.
“You notice anything going on between Shine and Fiona? What the hell was she doing on his bike earlier?”
I shrug, trying to come up with a story.
“What, she can’t talk to the man? He likes cupcakes. She’s got a shop. He thought that was cool. Don’t go reading anything into it.”
“I just thought it was odd.”
“Nothing odd about it. Fiona’s a funny girl. She cuts me up every time she’s around. Maybe Shine just wanted some company.”
“As long as it's only her cupcakes he’s after,” TJ grumbles.
“Or what? You’re not her fucking brother, TJ.”
He takes a step toward me. “You wanna try saying that again?”
Billy shoves us apart. “Knock it off. TJ, just drop it.”
But I don’t. “You got a problem because he’s from Nevada? Maybe you don’t like us boys from that chapter. Maybe you need a reminder I’m from Nevada, too.”
“Guys, cool it,” Billy snaps, and Marcus comes over to help him.
“Brothers, Cole’s watching. Cut this shit out.”
Movement at the bar draws my attention.
Rafe surges to his feet, his phone to his ear, and smacks Kyle’s arm, pointing outside.
I tap Billy on the shoulder. “Hey. Something’s going on.”
He straightens and follows my eyes.
When Rafe and Kyle charge out the door, Billy shoves TJ away and follows.
