Page 76 of Lick

“Let’s back up a few steps. I need you to repeat the first part of our conversation.”

“Repeat what?” Lick’s voice comes from the backdoor.

“Oh, just the part where Sin and Savannah got married.”

“No shit?” he says while he walks up behind me, pulling me into his chest before placing a kiss to my temple.

“This is crazy. There’s no way you guys got married. Your parents would kill you if you got married without them.”

“And that’s why only Matty and I know—well, knew. It was something important to us. It wasn’t about having our families or friends seeing us pledge our love for each other. It was about our family: Sienna Grace, Matthew and me. That’s why the day we got to bring Grace home, we made a stop and made our family official.”

“That fucking sly dog. He hasn’t even told his mom?”

“Nope. She thinks he’s planning something on Grace’s first birthday.”

“That’s cra–zy.” I laugh. “I can’t believe that.”

I’m happy for them. I know they love each other like mad, and I feel when you have that kind of love, you don’t need to label it with anything. Sin has struggled to get where he is today. He deserves the happiness, especially when he felt like he wasn’t worthy for so long. And Savannah, more than anyone, deserves to get her happy. That little girl and Sin have made her life complete. I’m in awe of what they share as a family, and I hope to have the same thing. Looking at Lick, I wonder if I’ll be able to have the same thing.

“So anyway, as I was saying, you need to do what you must do for your family. That’s what having kids is all about. Sacrifice. It’s up to you to figure out what are the right sacrifices for them.”

“What the fuck is she talking about?”

“Oh, she thinks we need to get married.”

Wiping his hand over his mouth, he closes his eyes. “Fuck me,” he says with a groan.

The slamming of the steel bars radiates through my body. Arms stretched at my sides, the guards do their usual pat down. This routine is like second nature to me. The feel of their hands in places I’d rather them not touch. My skin crawls every time I go through it, but it’s worth it. Without it, I wouldn’t have a relationship with my dad, and that’s something I won’t risk.

“You’re good to go,” the guard says from behind me.

“Can I take the pictures I brought?” I ask.

“Sure, no problem,” he answers.

I make my way through the doors to the waiting room. “Son?” He stands, giving me a quick hug before he’s told no touching.

“Pops.” I embrace him back. “Here. Roxy wanted me to give these to you.” I hand him the pictures that she’s been drawing him since her last visit. It’s turned into a daily deal for her. It’s her way to connect with him, and I’m happy that they have something. I know he didn’t receive one drawing or card from us when he went away, so I’m glad he gets to experience it with his grandkids. Ryder has yet to send something, but maybe as he gets older he’ll request some alone time with my dad.

Unfolding the white piece of paper, he reveals flowers and butterflies, cats and dogs spread through the parchment. “She’s in a flower phase right now,” I tell him. “She’s counting down the days until we plant real flowers in the backyard.”

He stands there with his head down, taking in the design Roxy made for him. When he looks up, his eyes are filled with tears. “You know–” His words are choked. He clears his throat. “I never thought I’d have any of this.” He shakes his head. “I thought I lost my family when I was sent away. Years of not knowing what you kids were going through was tough. I thought it was a blessing when you showed up for your first visit. I had hoped that you would, but I kinda figured that you had washed your hands of me. But now, not only do I have my son in my life, but I have the next generation—my grandkids.”

“You’ll always have us, Pops. No need to get all emotional.” I pat his shoulder.

“You’re right, son. I’ll always have you, and I pray to the Man above that you’ll have me for as long as you need me.”

His words don’t sit right with me. I want to question him, but I’m not sure if I want to hear his answer.

“So,” he says as he sits down, “what’s going on? I figured I’d see you next week, like normal.”

“Yeah, I needed to tell you something, but I didn’t want to do it over the phone. We got a call a few days ago from that lady at social services. It seems that Rob has made contact and he’s now at the clinic seeking help. He wants the kids, or so he says.”

“That’s not gonna happen,” he says through gritted teeth. “Tylan, there’s no way that man is gonna get my grandkids.”

“Yeah, well, it may not be up to us. It all depends on him.”

“You and I both know that the biological parents aren’t always what’s best for the children.”