Page 63 of Rock Hard
Epilogue: Rex
Rex returned to thesmall room at the front of the church and began pacing, his head whirring with a whole lot of WTF.
“Take it easy, dude. You’re getting married, not up for a Grammy.”
Rex glared at his best man. “Take iteasy?My mate is in the back of the church, with my cub, who just had her first shift. Don’t tell me to fucking take it easy.”
“Carly’s first shift?” Styxx grinned. “That’s awesome, man. Congrats. Bet that’s a load off her mind.”
Rex had no idea if it was or wasn’t, because he wasn’tthere. But something about the way Styxx had delivered his seemingly offhand comment pierced through his inner angst and raised his hackles.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, now she doesn’t have to worry as much about disappointing you.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Nothing, man.” Styxx shook his head.
That only irritated Rex more. Styxx might be a genius, but he could be a condescending, cryptic motherfucker, too.
“Don’t give me that ‘nothing’ shit. What are you, a chick? It’s clearly something.”
Styxx rolled his eyes. “Are you really that clueless?”
Rex glared back at him, lifting his upper lip in a warning snarl.
“You need me to spell it out for you? Fine. It can’t be easy for Carly, being your kid. You’re a badass shifter who has made no secret of the fact that you believe the pursuit of higher education is a waste of time and that humans are inferior in every way.Sheis an introverted scientific genius who, until this morning, had never been anything other than human. You don’t think she feels like she’s a disappointment in your eyes? That you wouldn’t prefer a daughter more like you?”
“What?” Rex felt like he had just stage-dived off a twenty-story building and hit the ground face first. He sank down into the nearest chair. “She can’t possibly think ...”
But of course she could. Styxx was right. He and Carlywerevery different. He had never understood her thirst for knowledge; couldn’t comprehend why she would want to stay cooped up in her room instead of being out somewhere, having fun. Until recently, they had never even been able to hold a decent conversation.
“Fuck. I’m a shit father.”
Styxx dropped his hand onto Rex’s shoulder. “Maybe not total shit. You did take her in when you found out about her and made sure she wanted for nothing.”
Except possibly a dad who didn’t make her feel like she wasn’t good enough,Rex thought miserably to himself.
He stood up. “I have to talk to her.”
Styxx moved slowly in front of him. “Slow your roll there, dude.”
“Get the fuck out of my way.”
“Just listen for a minute, will you? Alice is with Carly, right?”
Rex jerked his head in an affirmative nod.
“Then let her handle it. Females are way better at this sort of thing, especially with other females.”
“And you know this how?”
“I’ve got six sisters,” Styxx revealed with a smirk. “Trust me on this one, Rex. If you go back there now, you’re just going to embarrass her.”
Rex wasn’t happy about it, but he supposed it made sense.
“Don’t pout. You’ll get your turn when Alice gives you a son.”
