Page 15 of Judge
I sit stiffly on the recliner, my size not conducive to being stuffed into this tiny chair. The kids are sprawled out on the larger couch and I don’t miss their eyes darting toward me and their snickers. I feel put on the spot and I hate that feeling.
“Are you hot?” Annie’s voice breaks through my haze, the sound of John McLaine’s gunshots on the big screen jolting me.
“No, I’m feeling pretty comfortable. Are you hot? Do you need me to open a window?” I jump up, wanting to do anything to make her feel at ease.
“No, I’m fine, it’s just, um, your head is really shiny. Likereallyshiny. And you look sweaty.” She gives me a tight smile.“Just wanted to make sure you’re OK. Sage is busy with the big little kids at the moment, and I’d hate for you to have a heart attack and die.”
I stare at two sets of eyes, identical to mine, although where Annie-Bella’s are wide with concern, Jax’s look as thought he’s going to fucking breakdown and piss himself at any moment.
“No, sweetheart, I’m good.”
“OK,” she replies happily before glancing at me again. “So, is male pattern baldness on your side of the family or is it a choice? Because you know Turkey does some pretty cool hair transplants. You’d have to walk around in a sweat band for a while and your head swells up like a beach ball, so it may not be that cool.”
Jax loses his fight and snorts so hard he chokes on it. Little shit.
“Ah, it’s a choice.” I answer, hoping that if I stare at the TV the interrogation will come to an end.
“Hm. Interesting choice,” is all she says.
What the hell? I thought that fucker, what was his name? Rodney? I thought he was a one off with his observations and shit talk. Turns out, my kids are the same, although it’s delivered in a very sweet, very cute package. We settle in again, the kids only eyeing me every now and then until we’re sitting in relative companionship watching people get blown to smithereens. A large boom from outside the trailer has us all jumping up, before I take the kids to the floor, my bulk covering them. My heart is racing and I growl at the kids to stay down until I say.
Another small explosion rocks the place and I move my hand along my leg, flicking the holster at my ankle, freezing when I hear cackling and yahooing.
Rolling off the kids, I check to make sure they’re alright. “It’s OK. It’s just girls night.”
“What the actual fuck!?” My brows raise at Jax’s language. “What the hell are they doing to make that noise?”
“Chewy has a rocket launcher.”
“Oh sick!” the kids say in unison, rushing to look out the window.
“Yeah, so sick,” I mutter. Great. One evening and Chewy is already cooler than me. Shit, am I a lame dad? Looking down at my feet I wonder if I need to buy some dad sneakers.
“Do you think-”
“Nope, your mother would kill you and then probably me for telling you. Just go sit your ass on the couch, I want to see the end.” My eyes widen when I realize I may have completely overstepped.
“You’re getting the hang of this dad thing,” Annie-Bella says with a grin, walking to the couch and flopping down, her brother following suit.
“While you’re up, grab the brownies, old man,” Jax calls out, and I really want to dump the brownies on his goofy fucking hair cut, but I contain myself. He’s my kid and I love him. Even though he has jerk tendencies. But I guess it is what it is. The kid is trying to push my buttons, testing me. Well, he better buckle up, because I won’t lose.
Delivering the browniesnicelyI retake my seat, and settle in again.
* * *
I’m jolted awake by the sound of rummaging and banging in the doorway, a shooting pain running through my neck when I turntoo fast. “Shit!” is hissed out and then comes a giggle. I know that sound.
“Kaia?”
“What the fuck?”
Standing from where I’ve slumped in the recliner, my breath catches at the sight of her. Hair a mess around her shoulders, eyes bright, cheeks flushed.
“What the shit are you doing here? Have you been stalking me?” Her eyes narrow dangerously and I’m not sure if she can even see me clearly through them.
“Shit no! I came earlier looking for you, instead the twins invited me in and we had dinner and watched a movie.” Looking around at the deserted living area, I must have fallen asleep and they ditched me.
“Oh,” she stands there, staring. “I got to shoot a rocket launcher. I blew shit up!” She mimes an explosion, giggles and then stares at me some more.
