Page 34 of Shattered
After we had pizza and watched a movie, I found that I didn't want to leave and again it wasn't about sex. I wanted to stay and tuck Flynn in and sit on the porch with Harper and just be.
It was these thoughts that had me heading for the door, anyway. The intensity of what I was feeling was starting to freak me out. I was no stranger to addiction; I knew I was on the edge of becoming enslaved by this woman and her son.
The sun was barely up the following morning when a knock had me heading to my door. I was surprised and distressed to find Pop standing there looking a bit weathered.
"You got coffee, son?"
"Just made a pot," I answered as I stepped back to allow my dad entry. Uneasiness spread through my veins with each step I took. My dad had visited me plenty of times before but never this early in the morning. If it was bad news he was bringing I needed more coffee.
I prepared two cups and sat down with him at my little dining table. Pop took a long swallow of the scolding liquid before setting the cup down and leveling me with a look. "Have you talked to your brother yet?"
"Which one? The decent one or the asshole?"
"Logan!"
By the scowl on Pop's face, I knew he wasn't happy with me. Shaking my head, I brought my mug to my lips, not caring that its contents were too hot. I'd rather burn my mouth than voice my thoughts.
I might've been angry, but I wasn't about to disrespect my old man.
With a heavy sigh, my dad leaned forward and rested his hand on the table between us. "Look, son, I'm not saying Eli went about it the right way but he has some valid concerns."
I threw both of my hands in the air and for the first time in years raised my voice at Pop, "Oh come on! Not you too?" I was beyond the point of anger now; fury blazed through me.
"I'm worried about you, son. You're vulnerable and I don't want a woman to push a wedge between you and your brother."
I knew what my dad was referring to; he was the only one in our family who knew my tragic secret. His concerns were rational but unfounded. "The only one causing damage is Eli, Pop. And, before you walk around passing judgment onthe woman,why don't you rather take some time to get to know her?"
"No one is judging her; we're just looking out for you."
"I can take care of myself." I pushed to my feet and poured the remainder of my coffee down the sink. "It was nice seeing you, Pop. If you'll excuse me, I gotta take Dozer for a walk."
It wasn't my intention, but I'd managed to hurt my dad's feelings. The pain I was responsible for was evident on his face when he slowly walked toward me, nodding his head. With his wrinkled hand, he patted me on the back.
"Okay, son. Just, please for the sake of your momma, make things right with Eli. It hits her hard when her boys fight." After giving my pup a quick scratch behind the ear, Pop was gone.
When I walked into the shop on Monday morning my mood was still as sour as it had been the day before. I just wasn't sure if my anger was toward my family or myself. Both Pop and Eli had reasons to be concerned and it was very possible that I wasn't looking at the bigger picture.
Possible but not probable.
I spotted the parts I'd ordered for Harper's car the moment I stepped foot into my office; at least I would have something to keep my mind busy today. Plus, returning her fixed vehicle meant I had a reason to stop by unannounced.
"You don't look like a man who's been getting some."
I looked up from where I was scavenging through the boxes and found Brett leaning against the doorframe.
"What are you talking about?" I pushed to my feet and gestured for him to come inside.
After making himself comfortable on my couch Brett said, "Well, according to Chase you and one of his employees—his only employee- were caught with your tongues down each other's throat in the clinic's kitchen."
My little brother needed to learn to keep his damn mouth shut. At this rate, the whole bloody town was going to know my business. When I didn't answer, Brett threw his head back and laughed.
"I'll take your silence as confirmation. Good on ya for going after what you want."
I hardly managed to contain my snort. "You're happy about this now?" I asked with raised eyebrows. "Last week you were the one who warned me against her."
He pulled his shoulders up and shrugged. "I'm still not entirely sure about her motives, but it's not about me, is it? If she's the one your heart wants, who am I to tell it differently?"
Leaning my ass against my desk, I folded my arms in front of me. "Yeah, if my family would just see it that way." In all honesty, I was fairly certain that my momma and Chase felt the same as my friend. After all, my little brother was the one who had been giving me these little 'ins' with Harper.
