Pax wraps an arm around my shoulder. "You're a good mom. I like how you protected her from me."
"I knew you wouldn't hurt her. Not on purpose, but you're making her feel special and giving her ideas about how she can have things. I can't give her those things. You can, but you can also change your mind. Then I'll be the loser who cleans toilets and barely has enough money for Christmas presents. At least at Darby's, we'll have a tree and nice things even if I wasn't giving them to her."
Sobbing now, I whimper, "She's such a good little girl, and they made her drink beer and called her a little slut. I couldn't stop them. I just stood there like a loser."
"I'm gonna kill them."
"That doesn't change what happened. Besides, you're the one killing them. You're going to give her a room. I don't do anything."
"Yeah, but I only do that stuff because I like you. You're funny even though I don't understand half of what you say with all the spelling."
Wiping my eyes, I sigh. "You'll break her heart. I know you will. I do it all the time."
"You're a good mom. That stuff with Taz isn't your fault. It's her dad's fault, and I'm gonna kill him too. It's what I do. I have money and buy things. I have a bat and kill assholes. You can stay here and help me stop feeling lonely. I don't like feeling this way. It makes me hate Shay, and I don't want to hate her. She's funny and Ford loves her. Do me this favor and move into the house. I promise I'll do you the favor of keeping my hoes away from here."
Studying Pax's handsome face, I realize he's genuine. He really wants us to move in with him.
"We can give you privacy when you need it," I say, wiping my face on my tee.
When I grimace from the pain of my eye, Pax reaches over and brushes his fingers against my bruised cheek.
"Did Taz do that, or one of his little shits?"
"One of the shits. Don't ask me which one. They all have those stupid Mohawks."
"I'm gonna burn them all down."
"If you let them live, they might kill Wolfman."
"Why would I want that? I'm looking forward to killing the fucker. I wanted to kill him before last night. He was the fucking fucker who beat on Folgers when he was a pup. My dog needed vengeance. Now you'll both get it."
I grin because he's serious about wanting payback for his dog. "Thank you for coming last night."
"What else was I going to do? If I didn't go, Darby would have."
I hold his gaze. "That's not the point."
"Why do things need a point?"
"I don't know, but I'm thanking you, and you should just say you're welcome. It doesn't need to be a big deal."
"Fine. You're welcome. Now you remember how things don't need to be a big deal when I pay for breakfast or get the kid a pink room. Just say thanks, and don't get all pissy about it."
"With your way with words, it's no surprise you get so much pussy."
Pax gives me a dazzling smile, and I know exactly why he gets so much pussy.
"Let's go eat. I'm about ready to puke I'm so hungry."
Standing up, Pax pulls me to my feet, and we walk inside the house, where Lula remains on the couch. She's always so sweet, and I want her to have everything in life. Despite fearing Pax will steal away all the promises he's making, I want to believe in him.
4
Pax
Gonna Lose a Leg
Bebe gets plenty of weird looks with her swollen and bruised eye. People don't look at me though. Who wants to piss off the scary guy capable of punching his woman in the face? Their assumptions mean nothing to me. People have been judging me all my life.
Child Services came into my life early. Even seeing my mom for the junkie loser she was, they gave her more chances than she deserved. Over and over, they pulled us out of safe foster homes to go live with Mommy Fuckup again. Those days are long ago, and I rarely think about them. They did teach me to ignore the opinions of strangers. No one knows half of what they think they do.
"I'm a waffle guy," I say when Bebe gives me her pouty look. "Don't know why they taste so much better than pancakes. I think they make it all out of the same shit."
Bebe doesn't like that I bought her kid a cupcake cup. Even if it only cost three bucks, her panties are in a bunch. She ain't mad at me, just sad at how she doesn't have three dollars to piss away on a silly cup. I should ignore her depressed eyes, but her unhappiness makes my stomach hurt.
"You like pancakes?" I ask Lula who sucks milk through the pink straw of her cup.
The little girl nods then looks at her cup. I'm Santa Claus for buying the damn thing. I wish her mom was so easy to please.
"We can stop by the store and get groceries," I say, digging into my waffles.
Once Bebe finishes helping Lula with her food, she looks at me. Feels good when her gaze is focused on my face. She doesn't just look. She dissects, memorizes, and owns what she sees. I give her a grin, and she finally shares it.
"Can we go to Darby's and pick up the rest of our stuff?"
"Naw. I mean, you can take my SUV and go. I need to get some guys to come over and see about painting the kid's room."