Page 125 of Animal's Reformation
“Fuck, baby, you feel good,” Animal said, voice vibrating against her skin.
Olivia moaned softly and put her hands on top of his. What she wouldn’t do to have those hands all over her, doing wicked things to her body.
“Look, Dad and Olivia.” Lucy held up the prize she’d won—stuffed brown dog with black spots. “He looks like Patches … sorta.”
Olivia broke away from Animal and ran her hand over the stuffed animal’s fur. “He’s so soft, and he does look like Patches.”
Once Lucy had gotten out of school, she’d been relentless about getting a dog and had enlisted Olivia’s help in convincing her dad to get one. Olivia smiled at the remembrance of the three of them at the shelter, checking out the dogs until a mutt with various hues of brown and black spots came up to the cage and nuzzled his wet black nose against Lucy’s hand.
“You did good, kiddo.” Animal tugged playfully on his daughter’s braids. “You want us to hold him for you so you don’t lose him when you go on the rides?”
“Yeah.” She handed her prize to her dad. “Can we go on the Ferris wheel now?”
“Let’s go!” Paisley said, tugging Jax’s hand.
Jax laughed. “I guess our daughters have spoken.”
The rest of the night was filled with rides, games, corndogs, cotton candy, and many stolen kisses as they strolled across the carnival grounds. The colored lights piercing the darkness, the melodic music from the carousel mingling with the din of the crowd, and the constant clicking and clacking of the roller coaster cars as they moved along the tracks lent to the wonderment of the evening. The times they spent as a family cemented the deep love they had for each other even more. Olivia couldn’t imagine her life without Animal or his sweet daughter. He was all she ever wanted, and Olivia loved Lucy like she was her own.
On the drive home, the radio was turned down low, her hand was in his, and a warm breeze blew through the half-opened windows. Lucy slouched in the back seat, dozing, and Olivia’s eyelids drooped as she stared at the passing houses and trees standing in silhouette against the moonlit sky.
“Lucy had a great time tonight,” Animal said in a low voice.
“It was precious seeing her so happy.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek then ran her fingers through his hair. “You’re a very good dad,” she whispered. “Lucy’s lucky to have you.”
He threw her a sideways glance. “I’m lucky to have her … and you.” He brought her hand to his lips. “I fuckin’ love you, babe.”
“And I’m crazy about you, sweetie.” She tucked his hand under her chin and rested her head on his shoulder.
“You worried about the upcoming trial?” he asked.
“Not really … sort of … I don’t know.”
“The fucker should just plead.” He spoke in a hushed tone.
“He won’t. Dr. Linney is too egotistical to do that. I still can’t believe how he turned out to be the psycho. I don’t blame Mrs. Linney for taking the boys and moving back to Oregon. They could never live a normal life in Pinewood Springs—Dr. Linney forever tainted that for them.”
“I still say his old lady must’ve known he was a fuckin’ nutcase. How can you not know something is wrong with a dude you live with all those years?”
“I agree with you, but Dr. Linney could be a very charming man. I bet she picked up some strange vibes from him and either ignored them or rationalized them away.”
Animal chuckled. “Your psych classes are paying off, babe.”
“Dr. Davison still can’t get over that the subject for my research paper turned out to be a serial killer. How’s your mom doing with all this?”
Animal looked in the rearview mirror at Lucy. “She’s pissed as fuck that she may have to testify.”
“Is Lucy still sleeping?” Animal nodded. “Has your mom stopped having liaisons with guys online?”
“That’s what she tells me. This shit scared the hell outta her, and she’s been staying home more.”
Olivia saw his jaw clench, and she kissed it softly. “I know this is hard for you, but from what you’ve told me, it’s a mutual thing between your parents.”
He shook his head. “It still sucks. I don’t know … I’ve stopped trying to figure it out. It is what it is.”
“As long as they’re happy and your mom’s careful, I guess it’s something you and Jada just have to life with.”
“But not accept.” His jaw hardened again.
