Page 136 of Redemption
It’s Saturday, and we are supposed to be having practice, but Hayes called me last night and said he wanted me to meet someone.
He’d explained what happened with Tanner’s dad.
I still can’t believe it’s Theo—or that he was trying to date me to get to my parents. Okay, I can believe that part. My whole life, people have been seeking me out because they wanted the influence of my parents, but the sad thing is, I would have helped Theo without manipulations because I love his son.
On the porch, Hayes raises his hand to knock. But the door swings open before he can bring his hand down.
“What are you doing? Standing out here like a dud, boy? Get in here.”
My mouth drops open, and I reach to cover Tanner’s eyes. An older man stands in the doorway with a T-shirt and underwear on, his tattoos on full display up his arm. He’s wearing a boyish smile on his face.
I like him already—despite being traumatized.
Tanner reaches up, trying to push my hand away, but I keep it there, leaning in to whisper, “Trust me. I’m saving you from being traumatized.”
On the other side of me, Hayes has his eyes screwed shut. I wish I could, but the shock has mine frozen wide open. “Silas, what did I tell you about opening the door without pants?”
Silas chuckles, a deep, booming laugh. “You told me you were coming to visit, not bringing company.”
Hayes slaps his hand to his forehead, still keeping his eyes closed. “Just go get some pants on, please.”
“Will do,” Silas says with a salute to Hayes and a wink to me. “But first, did you bring me my milkshake?”
Hayes groans, but I lift my hand, the one that isn’t over Tanner’s eyes, and offer him the milkshake.
He takes it, and with one last wink, he disappears into the house.
“Is it safe to look?” Tanner asks.
Hayes peeks one eye open. “Safe is subjective around here.”
“Who was that?” I ask.
“That was Silas,” Hayes deadpans.
I roll my eyes. “I gathered that, Hayes. How did you meet?”
Silas’s hearing must be better than average because from somewhere in the back of the house, he yells, “He arrested me.”
Looking Hayes dead in the eye, I yell back, “Join the club. He arrested me, too.”
Tanner’s head whips to Hayes. “What? You arrested, MJ?”
“This is going exactly as bad as I thought it would,” Hayes grumbles, and I grin.
“I kind of like him,” I say.
Hayes rolls his eyes at me. “Of course you do. You might as well be the same people.”
My grin grows wider.
“Come on. Let’s go wait for Silas in the living room.”
We pass through a small foyer and walk into the living room with mismatched furniture. The decor should look ridiculous, but the mish-mash of belongings actually makes it look homey.
Within seconds of us sitting down, Silas joins us, still sipping on his milkshake.
“So, Hayes, what do I owe the pleasure today?”
