Page 28 of Hollywood

I gave him a flat look. “I’m over the father-son bonding. Honestly, I could use a reason to get out of town.”

Joyride snorted. “I can relate.”

“Right? Plus, I’m good with kids.” A warmth spread through me when I thought of the way Holly had looked at me that morning. Like I was a genius. His fucking hero. Simply for helping Ruby the way I’d helped my nephews andniece dozens of times before. “I can find a part-time job in the evenings. Win-win.”

“I don’t know,” Knight said slowly. “Are you going to bail on him when the going gets tough? Because it might.”

“No.”

“You’re absolutely certain?” He gave me a hard look. “Because I will kick your ass if you go down this road and then change your mind. And I won’t need any of the Serpents to do it.”

I held up my hands. “I promise.”

Matteo walked up with his wife, Allison. He led the Redemption Road work group that Hollywood and the other guys were in. I’d been one of them once, before I got fired one too many times and gave up on it and Riverton. Or tried, anyway. Leaving these guys behind wasn’t easy.

“Hey, guys,” Matteo said. “Good to see you all here for Hollywood. I’m sure he appreciates the support.” His gaze landed on me and one eyebrow twitched up. “And you too, Tex. You still living over in Hayworth?”

“Not for long,” Knight answered for me. “He’s thinking of moving over here and helping Hollywood with his daughter.”

“No kidding?”

“Would be great if he could get back into the program,” Knight added.

I should have known he’d go down that road.

“I don’t expect anything,” I said quickly. “I left the program, and I don’t even know if Hollywood wants me around yet.”

“He will,” Knight said.

“Maybe,” Joyride said dubiously. “He seemed pretty pissed at Tex for leaving.”

“Which Tex deserved,” Knight said. “But things have changed.”

I glanced over at Hollywood. He’d handed Ruby over to her grandmother, and his hands were tucked into his pockets, shoulders rolled forward. No doubt he was taking a verbal beating.

I wanted to be with him. To protect him from their animosity. But it wasn’t my place to interfere, not without an invitation.

Maybe it wasn’t my place to invite myself to be his roommate, either.

“It’s up to Hollywood,” I said. “But if he wants my help, I’m there. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Matteo clapped my shoulder. “Why don’t you come over to my home office. We can do the paperwork to get you back into Redemption Road.”

“Just like that?”

“Well, no, there will be a few hoops to jump through. But we’ll figure it out, all right? For Hollywood.”

“Okay, yeah.” I glanced toward Carrie’s hospital room door. “Now?”

He nodded. “The sooner we know our options, the better. It looks like Hollywood may be tied up for a while and I’ve got appointments.” He glanced at Knight. “Tell him I stopped by, will you? Let him know my thoughts are with him.”

“Will do.”

I stood uncertainly. “Can you give Kelly this car seat when she comes out?”

Knight stood. “Sure thing.”

“And tell Hollywood…”