"I think you suck, but she needs to know her father."
Howie is taken back by my quick agreement. During his silence, I glance outside where Pax and Tallulah explore the newly fallen snow. Folgers follows close behind them, sniffing everything.
"Good," Howie says. "I have big plans for my little princess."
"Call me when you're out, and we'll set up a place to meet."
"What about your thug boyfriend?"
"He doesn't need to know. You're her father, and that's all that matters."
I can feel Howie grinning through the phone because he's winning and he really loves to win. What he doesn't know is I'm grinning too.
The next time we talk to organize a meeting, I'm nearly laughing. This is the last time I speak to Howie. I suspect he never sees his death coming. Ginger doesn't tell me her plans. She only takes the information about where and when we're supposed to meet then says to keep an eye on the news.
Not long after the planned meeting, I read in the paper that Howie and Clarence are presumed dead. The police got a tip about the men's disappearances then discovered their blood all over a junkie's West Side apartment. When they tried to arrest the guy, he pulled a gun on them and died right there. Even without the bodies, the cops closed the case. Howie and Clarence are dead along with their presumed killer. Ginger handled the problem like she promised, so now Pax can officially adopt Tallulah.
53
Pax
Trouble Has Left the Building
Ford and I wear jeans for the wedding. I can't put on a pair of dress slacks without feeling like a fucking idiot. Even my balls reject the experience, feeling too snug in the fabric. Ford tries on a pair and looks straight to his crotch. He doesn't say anything at the store, but I think his balls refuse slacks too.
We settle for jeans along with brand new black dress shirts, jackets, and ties. When Bebe hears about the getups, she jokes we sound like the guys from Reservoir Dogs. I love her more for knowing the reference. Hell, I think I love her more every time she burps. The woman owns me now.
While waiting in the groom's area before the wedding begins, I bounce around like Tallulah on too much sugar.
"Stop being a weenie," Ford says from the window.
"I heard Shay would date any man, so picking you ain't saying much. Bebe's got taste though."
Ford glances at me and sighs. "I didn't want to tell you, but it's clear that Bebe only chose you because you were her only choice. Shay got to choose between you and me and all the guys in Little Memphis when she showed up. Bebe never had a chance. She just ended up with you."
I glare hard at Ford who struggles not to laugh. "Bebe would choose me out of a million guys. Shay would choose anyone who likes trucker hats."
"Don't talk shit about my woman's hats," he says, finally laughing.
Frowning, I kick at the ground. "Bebe had a choice."
"I know, turd," he says softly. "She gets you like I do. That's a special kind of thing, and you were right to love her back."
I smile at my brother. "You're an asshole.
"I know, but you're a piss-pants dweeb."
"Not even close."
"You ready to make shit official?"
"What if one of them tries to run?"
"That's what the ties are for."
Grinning, I follow him out to the altar of the small church. The preacher is dressed as Elvis. I'm pissed about this fact, but Ford loves it. He claims the Elvis thing is an inside joke with Shay. All I know is the guy creeps me out.
Shay and Bebe don't match for our double wedding. While my sister-in-law walks down the aisle in heels and a red dress, Bebe wears a light blue dress with sandals. They're both underdressed for a winter wedding, but I'm not complaining. Bebe looks like a damn angel walking towards me on Joker's arm.
Lucky continues the lie about being Shay's dad by walking her down the aisle. As one of the bridesmaids, Jenn made her way down with Darby helping keep her balance. The entire club fills the church. Ginger and her crew attend too. Our guests are packing enough heat to battle a small country.
Bebe walks with Joker on one side and Tallulah at the other. Our little girl is still sporting her cast while wearing the pink princess dress Ginger bought her. Tallulah would sleep in the dress if we let her.
I feel like a douche standing at the front with Ford and Preacher Elvis, until Bebe looks up at me with her amazing brown eyes. Tallulah shuffles over to Darby and holds her hand while Elvis does his "dearly beloved" jazz.
"Thank you for saving me and for being you," Bebe says when she needs to add her personal two-cents to the vows.
"Thank you for seeing past my sexy exterior to the complicated man I am on the inside."
Bebe isn't the only one who laughs. Fucking Joker nearly pisses himself.
Frowning at everyone, I mutter, "I'm being serious."
"That's why it's funny," Bebe says, wrapping her arms around me. "Ignore them. You are complicated."
"You laughed too."
"Yeah, that you thought I ever looked past your hotness."