Page 62 of Screwed
“You bought me this condo. You certainly don’t need to spend more money on me.”
“Okay.” Diamond earrings it was, then. “I think your computer is all set now.”
“Thank you. Will you stay for dinner?”
“I wish I could, but I have a ton of work to do. I intended to do it yesterday, and then I got…sidetracked.”
She grinned. “By a girl?”
He shook his head. If he admitted that, Mama would be all over it like a duck on a June bug. “Just stuff.”
“Darn.”
He grinned.
“I know you go out with a lot of girls, but I never get to meet them.”
He kept his tone light. “Guess they weren’t special enough.”
Hell. He’d fucked around a lot, mostly trying to forget Callie. It had never really worked, and now that he’d slept with her, how the hell was he ever going to get over her? Christ. He’d well and truly screwed himself. He rubbed his forehead.
“What’s wrong?” Mama gazed at him with her eyebrows pulled together.
“Nothing.” He forced a smile. “Nothing at all. Okay, I’m outta here. Don’t forget the big birthday bash coming up.” He headed to the door.
“It’s going to be so much fun! Are you sure you don’t want me to do anything?”
“Nope. We’ve got it all under control. Bye, Mama.” He gave her a quick hug and headed out.
His thoughts immediately went back to his father. Jesus fucking Christ. Twelve years later he wanted to connect. And although Cash’s first reaction was to say hell no, he had to admit to some curiosity about the man. He had memories of his father, of course, and mostly good ones, even though he wanted to hate the guy. He still had dreams about his dad that seemed so real, bizarre dreams that made no sense given how life had gone.
He also had to admit curiosity about his brother, which led him to his own computer when he got home and a Facebook search. While he might have thought once or twice about looking up his father, he’d deliberately refrained from doing so. Now he found him on Facebook and found his kid—Brandon Hale. He couldn’t see much of his info, since his privacy settings were all locked down. Which was a good thing.
He stared at the picture of his father. Some might say there was a family resemblance…he had the same chin, same eyes behind a pair of rectangular glasses…maybe same nose, it was hard to tell. Short, graying hair that had probably been dark brown like his own.
He had no intention of having any kind of relationship with his father, and he’d tell him that clearly if the asshole ever called. Which he had his doubts about, considering the past. As for his brother…his gaze lingered on the small profile picture of the boy.
He didn’t know what to think about that.
Since he was on Facebook, he found Callie’s profile and brought it up. A picture of the wedding cake she’d dropped off yesterday greeted him. He smiled. Then he sent her a private message.
Hey. How are you? You make out okay with your mom?
He didn’t know if she’d answer right away, but she must have been online.
Weeeell…she freaked out about my tattoo, and then she freaked out about my business. But yeah…okay.
She ask more questions about why I was there?
No. She gave me shit for looking like a mess with you here. :)
He smiled.
Little did she know I’m the one who messed you up.
She’d freak out about that, too.
No doubt. Hey…I got some weird news today. About my dad.
