Page 46 of Exile & Lula
Walking to Xena’s bed near the windows, Exile picked her up like she was a football. I’d feel bad for the little beast if she didn’t immediately run around excitedly once outside.
Peeling my gaze away from Exile’s gorgeous form, I noticed Bebe watching Dillon.
“This seems like a discussion for adults,” Bebe told her only grandchild.
Dillon leveled her dark eyes at my parents and insisted, “I’d like to be a part of the negotiations.”
“We aren’t negotiating,” Bebe insisted. “We’re discussing our concerns like a family.”
“Well, I’d still like to be a part of that.”
“You’re too young.”
“I’m nearly twelve!” Dillon hollered, flipping out before returning to her sweet-faced child routine.
“The Blair Witch’s offspring has spoken,” Pax mumbled while backing away. “Hell on wheels, were you always this loud? I don’t remember you screaming like that as a baby.”
Shrugging like a teenager in training, Dillon replied, “I use my voice when necessary.”
I stroked Dillon’s head and smiled at how she refused to back down. I didn’t expect my daughter to follow in my footsteps. Dillon came with her own dreams and roadblocks. She needed toembrace her own path. But I was still insanely proud of her when she sounded like me.
Bebe gave in grudgingly. “Fine, you have a right to speak up.”
“No,” Pax insisted. “I raised my kids to be seen, not heard.”
Bebe rolled her eyes at his bullshit. “Is it a good idea to have Exile stay over?”
Prepared for their grilling, I pointed out, “Rowdy said Exile wasn’t a weirdo. I trust my brother’s sense about people.”
“I wasn’t concerned about him trying anything with Dillon,” Bebe replied, prepared for my rebuttal. “However, he’s a stranger sleeping in your house. Is that appropriate?”
“I’m scared,” Dillon announced, startling us. “I’m afraid more men will come and take Mom away. What if this time no one finds her? I can’t stay at your house forever. I want to sleep in my room and be normal, but I’m still afraid. Exile is strong, and he found Mom. I like having him here.”
“As a watchdog, huh?” Pax said and nodded. “That’s smart. Use the filthy biker’s skills for your benefit.”
“Wait, you’re okay with this?” Bebe asked Pax.
“Sure.”
“But you weren’t as thrilled about other men around Lula.”
“Grandma means Jarred,” Dillon said and hugged me. “Grandpa said Dad has dead eyes.”
“Like a doll’s eyes,” Pax added, nodding at his own claim. “No offense to Alani, who obviously has a thing for inanimate objects.”
Bebe frowned at Pax. “We don’t even know this new man. At least, we knew Jarred. He was around for years before they started dating. You’re behaving irrationally.”
“No, baby, you just can’t understand because of your vagina.”
“Huh?” Dillon muttered as we ladies frowned at Pax.
“It’s a man thing. I saw Ford when he fell for that dingbat Shay. I was around when I fell for this hot piece of ass,” Pax saidand tugged Bebe against him. “I know what men are like when they fall hard. That never happened with Jarred, but I see it with the cowboy. A man who’s fallen hard won’t fuck up and ruin what he has.”
“You nearly did,” Bebe grumbled and poked his belly.
“Yeah, but I fixed that shit fast. You’re remembering wrong. I was barely an asshole. You forgave me so fast. I remember perfectly, like it was yesterday.”
Bebe considered standing up for truth and justice but ended up shrugging and looking at me. “I don’t think having Exile stay here makes sense. I’m being the rational parent,” she said and sighed. “But if Pax and Rowdy think Exile is safe, I can be patient and get to know him.”
