Page 49 of Wreckage of Me
“The baby,” he explains. “If you got pregnant, would you keep the baby?”
“I…” Such an odd question coming from an almost eighteen-year-old boy. “Yes,” I finally say and realize that I mean it. “I would definitely keep it.”
“Good,” he nods with almost sadness. “I’ll be the best uncle ever,” he promises, only to make me cry again.
Why are all these things happening to me all at once? The upcoming anniversary of our parents’ deaths… Colton being upset over something that’s obviously huge but he doesn’t want to share… Dylan Knight coming back into my life…
17
Dylan
“Haveyou decided what you’re going to do?” Sully is sitting at the kitchen counter, sipping on his coffee.
It is the morning after he picked me up from Becca’s. Well, later in the morning after he picked me up would be a more accurate description since we left there so late.
“I don’t fuckin’ know, brother,” I run my hands up and down my face, then run them through my hair.
“I thought you were all into this girl,” he comments, eyeing me thoughtfully. “I’m assuming you actually got into her last night?”
“Dude,” I give him a look that should scare the shit out of him. Back when we were both in the club, he would’ve been a bit more respectful since I had seniority. Now, I get this.
“Just sayin’,” he grins into his cup of coffee.
“Where the fuck is Puck?” I change the subject. “I thought you two were gonna go look at that office building today.”
“He didn’t spend the night at home,” Sully informs me. “But yeah, we gotta go look at that building. Not sure why, we can’t afford it anyway.”
“Why not? I thought you were pooling your funds together. Plus, you’ll get paid.”
After some extensive talks with Devereaux, Sully and Puck decided that they wanted to get in business with him. They’d run a security firm, with Malone as a special advisor. Sully would be the brains and brawn. Puck would be… the brawn.
“Do you know how much security equipment costs?” Sully sounds almost insulted. “Goodquality equipment. We can’t say we’re a high touch company if we play with shit for equipment.”
“Isn’t Devereaux investing in this?”
“Yeah, but I changed my mind. I don’t want him to own us,” Sully surprises me with his comment. “Especially since Devereaux is still holding a grudge over Puck fucking his daughter.”
I grin and take a sip of my own coffee. That whole thing is funny to me.
“You know, you could buy in, start this up with us.”
The smile dies on my lips. I have no idea why I’m not saying yes. I got nowhere to go. Going to Illinois to be closer to my brother would not be fair to him or his wife. Or Ethan. He is happy there with them, and I worry that I’d fuck it all up if I was closer. Or, worse yet, I’d want to take him back. That would really fuck his life up for sure. And for good.
“I don’t want to give Becca false hope,” I finally say.
“I thought you liked her.”
“I do,” I admit in defeat, “but what kind of a life can I offer her? Offer anyone?” I spread my arms wide. “She’s a good girl, she is making a good living, taking care of her brother… She’s got this perfect life.”
“And you don’t want to be a part of that?” Sully smirks at me knowingly.
“You know I fuckin’ do, asshole. But what do I have to offer her? I’m a reformed thug who’s trying to pretend like he didn’t kill his own father and give away his own kid.”
“Ah,” Sully nods in understanding. “Although, I was under the impression that you didn’t give Ethanaway, butup.” Malone must’ve told him about my meltdown in that warehouse back in Texas when I screamed those exact words to him.
“I doubt she’d wanna be with a man like me,” I just shrug it off.
“I get it,” Sully nods thoughtfully. “Where are you gonna go? You got enough money to last you a while?”
