Total pages in book: 178
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Twitch was not a patient man. He was compulsive and had control issues. The fact that he was showing restraint... it was monumental.
Who was this man, and what had he done with the rash, selfish, and careless one I knew way back when?
Twitch spouted the words as if this was his home and he had the right to. “You got two choices, Dave. You can leave with your tail between your legs and my foot up your ass,” he offered. “Or you can shut the fuck up, apologize, and eat the meal your girl’s making.” He looked Dave up and down, measuring him. “If I were you, I’d choose option two. It’s been a long time, and I’m spoilin’ for a fight.”
Without waiting for a response, Twitch went down the hall, looking for his son.
A long while passed before Dave spoke again, and before he did, he cleared his throat. “I didn’t mean what I said.” A slight pause. “You’re not stupid, Lex.”
Wasn’t I though?
My son had called me stupid. My friends were now calling me stupid. It was a common theme of late, and if one was being called out repeatedly, chances were that person was the thing they were labeled.
I was suddenly overwhelmed and my throat thickened with emotion. I spoke quietly, blinking away tears. “Don’t worry about it. It’s been a little crazy around here.”
“Yeah.” Dave’s low tone matched mine. “I can see that. The last thing you need is for your friends to start turning on you.” He put a hand to my shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”
Abruptly depressed, I felt the need to explain myself and my actions. “It’s just that A.J.’s been miserable without him, and the more I keep him from his father, the more he lashes out.”
“Oh, sweetie.”
My heart thumped. “I didn’t know what to do, and even though it’s been hard on me, I thought if I just let him see Twitch, he’d be happier.”
“Of course.”
It was difficult to breathe around the strain in the air. “You can’t possibly understand the situation I’m in. I’m screwed if I do, screwed if I don’t. I’m trying to be smart about this, Dave. Just trying to take the road with the least amount of mines buried in it.”
He looked absolutely dejected. “I know.”
“And Twitch has been surprisingly good in this time,” I revealed grudgingly. “It’s like... I don’t know. He’s changed, Dave. I don’t know where he was or what he was doing, but the time away has done something to him.” My eyes imploring, I uttered, “This man is going to be around. I’d like it if we all got along. If you can’t do it for me, please, do it for A.J., because he loves his dad.”
“And what about you, Lex?” He held my eyes. “Do you love him?”
Until the day I die. “I don’t even know him anymore.”
Dave seemed moderately appeased by my response because he left it at that. He also joined us for dinner, and when people started to arrive, their concern about Twitch being present was worn so clearly on their faces they didn’t have to say a word about it.
Thankfully, nobody said a thing about it, and honestly, I wouldn’t have either, given the daring glares Twitch handed out. It felt awkward for a while, but when Ana began to talk to Twitch, the table came alive with conversation. Sure, Twitch wasn’t terribly involved, but he stayed, and Julius remained civil, watching his old friend, his brother, with a light in his eyes I couldn’t exactly read.
What was it? Wistfulness? Anger? Sadness? I couldn’t put my finger on it. Perhaps a bit of all three.
When Happy stepped through the door with Nikki, I found it hard to look at him, and when he approached me carefully, as one would a spooked deer, I looked up at my friend and watched him crumble. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He peered over at a watchful Twitch before his lips thinned and his eyes closed, as he muttered, “Lex, I... I’m so sorry.”
When I took the three steps over and wrapped my arms around his middle, he held me so tightly I choked up. I felt his apology, felt his sorrow at disappointing me, felt his regret in that tight embrace. I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. I simply reached up and took his face in my hands, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
It wasn’t forgiveness, not exactly. It was a small mercy I bestowed on him, because I loved him, my dear friend.
Soon after eating dessert, everyone was making a move to leave, and Twitch was in the middle of saying goodnight to A.J. I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but when I approached, my son’s question held me captive.
“Uncle Dave said you hurt Mummy.” He paused a moment. “Is that why she’s mad at you?”