Page 6 of Craving Theodora
“He will,” Draco said easily.
“Your mother wants to know when you’re comin’ to dinner,” my dad interrupted, catching up with us. His hands came down and gripped the backs of our necks like he had when we were just boys.
“I was there night before last,” I replied, glancing at him.
“Well, she’s got a lot of time to make up for.” He shook us gently. “Wants both of you there.”
“All right.” I nodded and checked my ringer. It was still on.
“I’ll tell Kara,” Draco replied as we came to a stop in the forecourt. “The girls are done with softball, so our schedule just opened up.”
“Fuck, I missed the season,” I murmured. I loved watching my nieces play ball. I’d been able to manage a few games over the past couple of years, but it wasn’t enough. I’d missed most of their lives.
“You’ll be here next year.”
“Home for good,” my dad said with a sigh, shaking his head. “Fuckin’ finally. You find a place yet?”
“Not yet.” I glanced over my shoulder as men filed out of the front door, headed to the connected garage. “Tommy’s gonna show me some places next week.”
“You thinkin’ of buyin’ or rentin’?” Dad asked.
“Rentin’ for now.”
“You should take the rental that’s in our neighborhood,” Draco said, looking up from his phone. “Yards are big, houses aren’t too close together, and you can babysit for us.”
“Curt,” Grease called from the door to the clubhouse. “Come here a minute.”
“Shit,” Draco said, raising his eyebrows. “You’ve been here a week. How’d you already get called into the principal’s office?”
“It’s a gift,” I joked as I moved back toward the building.
Inside, Grease waved me toward the little room we’d just left. I tightened my hand around the phone in my fist, then set it back on the bar as I passed. Phones weren’t allowed in church. Ever. It didn’t matter why you were in there.
Inside, both of my grandfathers were sitting at the table. Most days, I was proud that I was Aces on both sides of my family, but at the moment, it just felt like a pain in my ass. If the two of them had been accountants, I could’ve spoken to themwithmy phone in my hand.
“How you settlin’ in?” Dragon asked, turning to face me.
“Still sleepin’ on Draco’s couch,” I said with a smile, looking over my shoulder as Grease and my dad stepped inside behind me and closed the door. “Not settled yet.”
“When’s Dylan get here?” Casper asked, gesturing for me to sit.
“He’s on the road,” I replied, dropping into the chair across from him. “I’m waitin’ on his check-in.”
It felt weird to sit there. I didn’t have a seat at the table yet. During church, I usually stood along the wall with the other members who weren’t officers.
“We won’t keep you long,” Grease said, moving to his own seat.
“What’s this about?” I looked around at their faces. Thankfully, no one seemed pissed.
“Got a job for you,” Dragon said.
“Please fuck, don’t tell me you’re sending me out of state,” I joked, running my hand through my hair.
No one laughed, and my gut fucking sank.
“Not long term,” my dad said from his place beside me.
Yeah, that’s what they’d said eighteen fucking years ago. I kept my arguments behind my teeth and waited for someone to explain.
