Page 123 of Hollywood

“Hey, you can’t think that way.” I turned toward him, pulling my leg up onto the couch. “I know what happened was awful, but Dakota was smiling when we saw her. She was joking around with her brother. That’s not a life that is ruined.”

“Maybe.” He picked at his jeans. “So, you get along with your parents?”

I sighed. Apparently, I wasn’t getting out of talking about it. “I guess. My mom is focused on business. She doesn’t make time for a lot else. I was closest to her when we worked together. It made it hard to leave that job because I knew I’d lose her attention, but…she was also so intense it got to be suffocating.” I shrugged. “That’s how my mom is. All or nothing.”

Joyride nodded. “Suffocating, I get. My mom is super nurturing, though. She gives me, like, ten hugs a day. It can be frustrating. Like she sees me as a little boy.”

“You’re young, and you went to prison. That didn’t just affect you. She lost her son for five years. Give her some time. She’ll ease up.”

“So you said your mom is all or nothing. Does that mean she’s not invested in you anymore now that you’re doing hair?”

“Pretty much.” I chewed my bottom lip. “It doesn’t botherme that much that she doesn’t care about me. But her not wanting to see Ruby? That’s a fucking crime.”

“It really is. I love that kiddo.”

I smiled. “Me too. More than I ever thought I could. I just hope I’m doing enough for her.”

“Dude, you dropped everything to take care of her. What more is there?”

It was a nice, supportive statement, but there was always more I could do.

Maybe Mom was right. I’d broken my promises to Carrie. Let her and Ruby down. But if I returned to a corporate career, it was within my power to make it up to them.

Was it selfish not to pursue something more?

CHAPTER 26

Tex

I gotto Wilde Roots early, with the hope I could talk to Ken Wilde about getting an advance on my paycheck. It wouldn’t completely solve my rent problem—I’d be behind on next month’s bills when I didn’t get paid as much—but it would buy me some time to get together the extra. Maybe Dad would even pay me back once he pulled his head out of his ass.

Probably not, but I really wanted to believe it. Dad had never jerked me around like this before. He was hard on me sometimes about my mistakes, but what father wasn’t? He’d wanted better for my life. I could understand that. But he didn’tpunishme.

Rick Wilde, a daytime worker and Ken’s cousin, stood behind the register, counting out the cash drawer.

“Hey, Rick.” I came to a stop, resting my hand on the checkout counter. “Where’s Ken?”

“He’s taking a few days off this week for a big anniversarytrip with Caroline,” he said. “I’m surprised he didn’t talk your ear off about it. They just hit thirty-five years, and he’s acting like a newlywed.”

Rick rolled his eyes, lips twitching at the corners. He acted annoyed, but I could tell how much he liked and respected Ken.

It wasn’t good news for me, though.

“We’ve been like passing ships in the night lately. I’ve been pretty busy rearranging the nursery for ideal growing conditions.”

Rick nodded. “Yeah, Ken told me about that. You have a real green thumb, huh?”

“Eh, I’ve just got some past experience with greenhouse management.”

He nodded. “Ken’s been impressed.”

“Good to hear.” I took a steadying breath. “Listen, uh, I was hoping to ask Ken this, but…I’m kind of in a tough spot.”

“Oh? What’s up?”

“Well, long story short, I was hoping I could get an advance on my paycheck? I’ve got rent coming due, and I’ve had some unexpected expenses.”

Like my father ripping me off.