Page 129 of My UnTrue Love
“Lots of folks do.” Bill bragged. “I’m ‘whoopee’ status on Ti-Yi-Yo. Clem takes cactus pictures for me.”
“If I wasn’t so invested in your musical career, I’d be a photography muse.” Clementine decided, rubbing a hand over Luke’s back. “I enjoy all kinds of art.” She kept her tone casual, trying to lull the boy. “Photos are something I can actually do myself, unlike singing.”
“You sing sometimes, when you’re home alone.” Luke murmured. “You’re really bad at it.”
Clem smiled. “I know.”
“I like hearing you, though.”
“Thank you, sweetie-pie.” She held him tight. “Is your father the one who locked you in that room?”
Hank and Bill stiffened.
Luke nodded, his expression wretched. “Pa’s been talking about getting’ some kind of payday from Bill.” Pale brown eyes swung Bill’s way. “I thought it was better to just go along with it. He’s not so mean, if I just go along with him. And I didn’t know you. Why do I care if he steals from a brother I don’t even know?”
Bill nodded, because that did make sense.
“I told Pa that you didn’t have anything. Seemed clear. You worked crappy jobs and lived in a crappy apartment.” Luke’s words tumbled out on top of each other. “But then Clem knocked on my door. And I realized you did have something worth stealing, after all.”
Bill’s blood froze.
“Ihadto keep Pa away from her. Best way to do that would be to keepyouaway from her. If Pa knew you had a muse, he might get,” Luke paused, as if he didn’t want to say anything too graphic in front of Clementine, “interestedin her. You get what I mean?”
“Yeah.” Bill said quietly. “I get what you mean.”
Hank muttered a curse.
“But Clem wouldn’t listen to me and leave you. And I knew for dead-sure you wouldn’t leave her. You ain’t stupid. So, it was up to me to protect her from Pa.”
Bill rubbed the back of his neck. “A time or two, I scented something around the complex that gave me pause. Couldn’t get a clear read on it, but I shoulda remembered Hop’s scent and known it was him.”
“Oh, he wasn’t there a lot and he’s good at covering his tracks. He can sneak in anyplace.”
“My coyote was always fine withyourscent, though.” Bill met his eyes. “I was thinking it was because you hadn’t shifted yet. But it’sstillaccepting you, so I guess it feels that you belong with us.”
“I like it here. I decided to tell Pa that I wouldn’t let him go through with his plan. The day after I argued with you at that saloon, he came by the apartment and we got into it.”
That was when Clem and Bill got married. The fight must’ve happened while they were gone or Bill would’ve heard it.
“I feel really bad about yelling at you at the Lone Prairie, Clem.” Luke tacked on, like it was of much greater importance than his father beating him. “I hope it didn’t frighten you or…”
“No.” She interjected. “You never have to worry about that. I know you’re gentle, just like Bill.”
Luke’s breath escaped in a rush. “I like you thinkin’ that, but I’mnotgentle. I hurt Pa. I never stood up to him like that before. We fought something awful and I hurt him. He hurt me worse, though.”
Bill was shocked Hop hadn’t outright killed the boy. Luke must’ve been tougher than his too-pretty face and skinny body indicated.
“I guess Pa knocked me out again, 'cause I woke up locked in that room.”
“I told you we should have broken into Luke’s apartment to look for him, when he didn’t answer the door.” Clem chided Bill.
“You wanted to break into someone’s house?” Hank snorted. “You must be the nosy neighbor from hell in that apartment building.”
“I’m very popular! Bill and I are hosting a complex-wide potluck next week, aren’t we, Bill?”
Bill had no idea what a “potluck” was, but he nodded anyway. “Everyone’s lookin’ forward to it.” At least theywouldbe, if they knew what was good for them.
“Pa’s always locking me up.” Luke assured Clem, as if that would somehow mitigate her guilt about not battering down his door. “Sometimes days go by, before he remembers me. My coyote came out, while I was in there. I was just so scared thatPa would get to you. He wants to break everything pretty and nice. He crushed my violin…” Luke’s voice trailed off.
