Page 101 of Justice II

32

Storie

Finally we were getting rid of the brat. I was looking forward to this road trip to see my grandparents. I was glad that I didn’t have to be the one to stay with them though. I hate the way old people smell.

I helped carry Dream’s suitcase without Justice asking me. That should give me bonus points.

Normally, I would’ve stood there and watched him struggle with it. Today, I was happy to help. Dream was going away for the rest of the school year, and I needed her packed and ready before anybody changed their mind.

“Thank you, babygirl,” Justice said as he took the suitcase from me. There was something cold behind his eyes though. He’d been acting funny with me but maybe I was just being paranoid.

“You’re welcome, Daddy.”

Dream came out holding a stuffed animal against her cast. She had complained about leaving half her toys behind, even though Grandma had probably bought her a whole store by now. They spoiled her so she would be fine up there. She was just whining, trying to steal his attention away from me.

I opened the back door for her.

“Watch your arm,” I lovingly instructed.

“I know.”

“I’m just trying to help.” I rolled my eyes.

Justice glanced over while fastening her seat belt. I smiled and went around to the front.

I had been looking forward to this trip since he told us about it. Getting rid of Dream without having to do anything to her was better than I could’ve planned. I didn’t have to listen to her whine about her cast or watch Justice carry her around because she was too tired to walk.

She could be tired in Pittsburgh.

Rita was already gone. Kira wasn’t coming back. Skye had finally taken her lying ass somewhere else. Once we dropped Dream off, Justice and I could go home and spend some time together.

I didn’t even care about the cameras anymore. He could watch me do my homework and put dishes in the dishwasher. I was going to be so good he would feel stupid for ever doubting me.

Dream talked through most of the first part of the ride. She wanted to know whether Grandma would let her sleep in her room, whether there would be snow, and whether Justice would come get her for Christmas.

“Baby, you ain’t even got there yet,” he told her.

“I know. I’m just asking.”

“Ask me if I want some peace and quiet,” Justice teased.

She giggled, then of course asked another question.

I looked out the window. He thought everything she said was so cute. I had been that age once, and I didn’t remember needing a damn audience every time I opened my mouth.

Eventually, she got interested in something on her tablet.

I still didn’t have mine. Apparently, Dream could fall down some stairs and get rewarded while I stayed on punishment for things nobody could prove I had done.

But I wasn’t going to complain today.

“Daddy, can we get something to eat on the way back?” I asked.

“We’ll see.”

“Just us?”

He glanced at me. “Who else gon’ be in here?”