An hour later, and we’ve managed to discuss and outline the blueprint plans for our newest business asset. The indoor facility for Riggs Outdoor. It’s a concept that’s been a bit of a passion project of Michael’s. He’s wanted some kind of climbing facility to utilize during the off-season without having to drive an hour to the nearest one.
“There’s enough space here for exactly what you described, Michael. And honestly, I think we can do even more. There’s no reason why this couldn’t be an indoor space for all types of athletes who are looking to train in their personal off season,” my dad says.
“What about your buddy Mac?” Law says, looking toward Michael.
“What about him?” I snap back, still buzzing with animosity that didn’t leave me after I woke up and showered.
“Jesus, what’s got your panties all bunched today?” he barks back with a laugh. But he’s right, I’ve been short with him all morning. Between the way I watched him come onto G at the hot springs. And then the fresh reminder of his role in my accident, thanks to last night’s dream. The truth is, as much as I beat myself up about my choice in that stupid bet, he was there. I blame him too.
“I was just thinking that maybe he’d be into working with us. Upgrade his MMA gym space. There’s more than enough room here, don’t you think?” He looks around, and I follow his line of vision. “And it’ll bring in a new crowd. There’s an element of wanting to try new things if you can actually see them.” He shrugs his shoulder.
“Us? Thought you were going to,”—I put my fingers in air quotes—“‘Don Draperthe shitout of the advertising world’ or whatever company was dumb enough to hire you.”
“You know what, Henry? Fuck off.” He knocks my shoulder as he walks by me.
“Watch it,” I yell back, pointing my finger in his direction.
“Or what, huh? You going to do something about it or just continue to treat me like I’m stupid, or keep pretending like I barely exist?”
“You said it, not me,” I say.
I see my dad coming over to where we’re squared off at each other. “Both of you. That’s enough.”
Law ignores him and moves closer. Chest puffed out and ready to say something I’m sure he’s been working on for a while. My pulse ticks up, and I’m not in the mood to hold back today. There’s no filter or deep breath I’m willing to put into effect.
“You fucking blame me for everything. EVERYTHING,” he shouts. “I’ve had enough of you talking to me like I’m some kind of joke all the time.”
“You are a fucking joke,” I yell back. I point my finger at his chest, and he swats it away. Michael comes up next to me, readying to interject if he needs to. I watch as Law’s eyes well up with tears. Any other day, and I would back down from this, but for some reason today, I want to make him feel like shit. I need to pass it off to someone else for a change. And he’s my target.
“Henry, that’s enough, man,” Michael says in a low tone next to me.
“No way. He’s a big boy now, he can hear it. Isn’t that right, Law? You want to play at the big boy table, then here it is. You never take anything seriously. Everything is a game or a joke to you. But guess what? I don’t think you’re funny. I don’t think it’s fucking funny that you’re the reason that I was forced to retire from a career I barely even started.” My dad moves to hold him back from getting any closer to me. “Everyone coddled you when that accident happened, but the truth is, it’s your fucking fault that I lost my vision. I didn’t crash into myself on that mountain. I didn’t jam a fucking shard of my sunglasses into my own eye.” I breathe out heavily through my nose, nostrils flaring. “Nope. That was all you, brother.”
But I’m not done. There’s so much negative energy vibrating through me right now and he poked the bear. He’s going to hear all of it.
“And now you want to be a part of this, but only as an idea man, right?” I huff a sarcastic laugh. “You’re not willing to do the work. You want to coast in, sprinkle in your bullshit, and then leave to go live your own life. Well, newsflash, you may be a part of this family, but you’re not a part of the business. And if it were up to me, you wouldn’t step a single toe into it, because I have no interest in doing all the work and then you show up just to destroy it. Because that’s what you do, baby brother, you fuck things up and everyone thinks, ‘Oh, that’s just Law.’ Well, not this time. You don’t get a pass here. You don’t get a say here.”
Law jerks his arm out of my dad’s grip, pushes at my chest, and whispers, “Fuck you.” Then he storms out of the empty warehouse.
“Asshole,” Michael says in my face and then moves to go after him.
I look over at my dad. His disappointing glare cuts me at the knee. “If that was your version of therapy, then shame on you. That accident is as much your fault as it is his. He didn’t deserve that. He goes back to school in a few weeks to finish out his semester. He doesn’t need to feel shitty at the end of his college career. Find a way to fix this before then.”
I ignore all of it. Fuck that. I need to get away from this, and out of here for a while.
18
Giselle
“Deputy,I promise, the glitter was purely meant to be fun. Not an assault by any stretch.” I give the old bat in front of me the evilest eye I can muster.
“I still want to press charges,” Ruth DeMaio says without even letting me finish.
I came outside to start my day with some fresh air and a glimpse up at the blue sky that was nothing short of perfection this morning. I’m still shook by what I’d like to refer to as “The Lick-Luster incident.” That man’s tongue with just one swipe has done things to my body and imagination that I didn’t even know were possible. Even now, just thinking about his slow glide, I’m feeling fuzzy and slick. But it was cut short, the damn tease, and my lady bits might revolt. I can’t even think about why he said he wouldn’t do anything more with me.
My cleansing breath is now feeling hot and suffocating. The screech of a whiny voice starts yammering in my ear. Now, that early morning refresher feels like I’m swallowing a mouthful of hot garbage because this Ruth DeMaio lady is insistent on getting in my face today.She really did need a pinch of glitter that night.
“Ruth,” the hot-ass deputy who waltzed up to my shop with her says, with a twinge of annoyance. “It’s been a number of days since this occurred. There was no physical damage, and I can’t find a single witness that is willing to say anything against Miss Heart.”