This man?
“I’d like you to turn around, get in your truck and drive away, please,” I called.
AJ looked from me, to Rix, took in Rix, and wisely halted his progress.
“You wanna tell me who you are?” he asked Rix.
Not little ole me.
Rix.
Rix didn’t make that first noise.
“I’m Chloe Pierce, Judge’s girlfriend,” I answered.
AJ’s aviator-sunglassed gaze swung to me.
“Well, always knew m’boy had good taste,” he drawled, his shades giving me a once-over.
Disgusting.
“I’ll repeat, I’d like you to leave.”
“Now, gal, I think you know there’s been a loss for this family, and my guess, you’re here, then Judge is here, and I’d like to see he’s okay.”
“It’s my understanding that you know, as your son made this request, that he and Judge need some time to process what’s happened without unnecessary interruptions.”
“I do know that,” he retorted impatiently. “I just don’t give a shit.”
I didn’t give a shit that he didn’t.
“The funeral is Wednesday at three,” I shared. “You can see Judge and share your sorrow at his loss then.” I finished pointedly, “Be informed, we will not be holding a reception after.”
AJ had just that much patience for me, I knew, because when he was at the end of it, he started forward again, not having an issue walking through the weed infested (snake infested?) lawn.
Rix didn’t have a problem shifting into it either, and he did this to block AJ’s path.
AJ came up short and peered up at Rix.
“And who might you be, big fella?”
Good Lord, did he study tapes of JR Ewing so he could act this much of a cliché?
“The lady shared plans for Ms. Oakley’s service and asked you to go,” Rix rumbled, and even though I wouldn’t admit this to him, I was already halfway to adoring him. That sped me the rest of the way. “I ’spect we’ll see you Wednesday around three.”
“And I’m askin’ you to stand aside,” AJ said.
But before Rix could answer, a dread noise sounded.
The door to the house opening.
AJ stretched his neck to look around Rix.
I released a frustrated sigh.
I then turned and moved as quickly as my silver python Tom Ford ankle-wrap padlock pumps (that I lamented I’d worn that day for a variety of reasons) would take me up the walk.
“We’re taking care of this,” I announced.
Both Oakley men were out of that damned house.
That was the good.
The bad, I had eyes on Judge, who had his on Rix and his grandfather.
A fatal error in judgment.
I should have had eyes on Jamie.
He took off like a shot, and in high heels, and with shorter legs, and utterly no intention to wade into that “grass,” I had no hope.
Fortunately, Judge’s legs were as long as his father’s.
He wasn’t scared of snakes (like Jamie wasn’t).
And Rix was there.
Rix got to Jamie first, a gentle butt of the chests and a quiet, “You don’t wanna do that.”
Okay, yes.
Adored that man.
It was just the moment Jamie needed to get a handle on himself. He stepped back, eyes locked to his father, and Judge, quickly prowling through the weeds, took his back.
“Go home, Pop,” Jamie demanded.
“Now, Jameson—” AJ tried.
“I’m buying the gulch,” Jamie announced.
Judge went straight.
Something very much not happy wafted from AJ.
My eyes shot to Rix.
His came to me.
I raised a brow.
He did a slight shake of his head.
Damn, he didn’t know what that meant either.
“I’m starting there,” Jamie went on.
“Now, Jameson—” AJ repeated in an entirely different tone.
“Tell Jeff to get his shit straight,” Jamie warned. “I won’t be covering his ass like you do.”
“Jam—”
“You, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of in your final years. You can live in that house.” Jamie jerked his head to Belinda’s house. “I’m sure your latest wife will enjoy making it suitable for the two of you.”
“You mistake the way things are, Jameson,” AJ stated.
“I know exactly the way things are, Pop,” Jamie returned. “I’ve known it for a long time. The only thing that held me back was Rosalind. She said life’s too short for ugly emotions like payback and revenge. She was right. Her life was.” An exceptionally timed pause then, “Mine isn’t.”
AJ said nothing, but he didn’t take his shades from Jamie.
“You left the door wide open, you old fucking fool,” Jamie said in a low, terrifying voice I was instantly fond of.
“It’s your boy’s legacy,” AJ snapped.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep it intact for him,” Jamie assured.
They went into a staring contest that I knew Jamie would win.
I was correct.
AJ turned his gaze to his grandson and said, “You look good, boy.”
“Thanks, Granddad, but maybe you should give me and Dad some space, yeah?”
My man, so polite. So respectful. Even in these trying times.
I smiled, and I didn’t care that it was smug.
AJ glanced through me, took in Rix, then back to Judge.
“See you Wednesday.”
Fabulous.
He ambled off and none of us moved, just watched as he got in his truck, did a three-point turn in Belinda’s drive, and rolled away.