“Last one to Susie's pen has to clean her poo!” Neo taunts with a smile. With one last look at her now annoyed mother, she takes off in Neo’s direction, ignoring her mother’s words.
“I don't like that man around my daughter. I don’t feel like she’s safe, and he is a terrible influence on her,” Briana says in a snooty tone.
“Briana, I can assure you that Rosie is safe while she's here. My brother and cousins would die for that little girl, as would I. We would never allow harm to come to her; what kind of parent would I be if I did?” I sigh. Can the bitch just leave already?
She gives me a defensive look, but it’s gone just as fast. “Of course, that’s what a parent would do.” She forces a laugh. She's acting a little weird, well, weirder than normal for her because this woman is already an odd-ball. I can see why it took me being drunk off my ass to sleep with her.
“Anyways, I'll be back in a few days,” she says, handing over a bag for Rosie. I take it, knowing I won't be using anything in there. She claims it's all things Rosie can't be without, but all it is is some overpriced clothes that she can't even play in and a porcelain doll that Rosie said if she broke, her mother would be mad, so she doesn't bother to touch it.
She has everything she needs here. A little girl’s room perfect for her age, all the clothes she would need for any occasion and season. She never has to want while she's here.
“When exactly will you be back?” I ask, knowing I'll have to tell Harlow I won't be in again. I really don't understand why she hasn't fired me yet. The guys have been doing most of the work.
“I don't know. Why? Don't you want to spend time with your daughter?” she bitches.
“Yes, but I need to tell my boss when I can and can't be in for work,” I blink.
“Where is this new job of yours anyways? Must be something good if you can afford to keep this place, pay for stuff while Rosie's in your care, and keep up with child support. That's a lot,” she smirks.
No shit. The witch demands five grand from me per month. Before her new husband came along, I only paid two thousand a month. Still pretty steep, but I didn't care because it was for my child. But Brad said that because Rosie was not his child, he would not be paying anything towards her care when they moved in with him. What a fucking jackass. And yeah, he pretty much made Briana pay him for Rosie’s portion of the rent, utilities, and food.
Which, in turn, means I paid for it, and I couldn’t exactly argue with him because he knows people who could seriously fuck me over. People that my father burned bridges with, and he could use them against me to get whatever he wanted. So, I give them the money, even though every few months it increases by a few grand.
I know if I don't tell her, she will find out on her own and rip me a new one. “I work at Evolution in Kingston Heights.”
She looks confused before her eyes go wide. “Do you mean that strip club run by that crazy lady?”
“It's not a strip club, it's a burlesque club, but that doesn't matter. We do odd jobs and work security sometimes.”
“And that gives you enough money to be able to save your company and pay child support on top of living expenses?” she raises a brow in disbelief.
“Well, my boss is rich, what can I say?” I shrug.
Just as she's about to start bitching, the buzzer for the front gate rings. I see a small animal trainer carrying a crate. Lovely, Bob is here.
“If you don't mind, can we say our goodbyes now? That would be for Neo. I need to deal with that and make supper for Rosie because I'm guessing you didn't feed her before coming here, again?” I ask, getting angry at the last part. She does it every time. Rosie is always hungry when she gets here, and she says that her mother said she doesn't want to pay for something when I could.
She glares at me but says nothing, before huffing and taking off towards her car. I buzz in the man with the damn goat and let Briana leave.
Well, it looks like we have a new addition to the funny farm. What the hell has my life become?
Neo
FUCK YEAH, BOB IS HERE.I bounce around in excitement in my spot next to Susie’s pen. Well, I guess it's both of their pen now. I spent last weekend adding on to it and made a gate to block the individual spaces off, if needed.
Rosie and I were feeding Susie some bark when I heard the truck pull up and then the sound of a bleating goat. Rosie heard it too, so I picked her up, and we jumped in excitement. Now, she's standing next to me doing a happy dance as she holds herself back from launching out of the backyard in search of Bob.
“I think this belongs to you,” Cass says, sounding annoyed as he brings a cute little baby goat into the backyard, but Rosie's high-pitched squeal melts that away as he smiles in devotion at his little princess. She does that to us all. Being around her is the only time I'm normal. Well, as normal as I can be. I have to calm down my crazy because I don't ever want Rosie to look at me with fear or be uncomfortable around me. But I make up for it by letting my other freak flag fly. I am who I am. Sure, you could make fun of me, but you're likely to get stabbed if you do.
“I still can't believe you bought the damn thing,” Axel laughs as he walks into the backyard. He smiles at Rosie as Bob chases her around. “Don't you think a dog would have been a better pet?” He cocks a brow at me.
“Maybe, but would it have been as much fun?” I grin. “Plus, have you seen the YouTube videos of them in PJs, fucking adorable.”
“Bad word!” Rosie shouts as she stops in the middle of the yard, crossing her arms, and stomping her foot. The little thing has the sass of her uncle Axel.
I cringe. “My bad, Rosie Posy,” I say and reach into my back pocket for my wallet. I know what comes next.
She holds out her little hand, waiting. I take out a dollar bill and place it in her hand. She gives me a big smile. “Thank you very much,” she nods, then runs over to show her dad.