“What is going on with you and Daisy?”
“I-I don’t know. We’re, I don’t really know what we’re doing at the moment, or why it’s so hard.”
Blowing across her cup, she listened to Anthony. “Is this because Tabitha has moved away?”
“I know Daisy misses her, but I think she’s planning on moving to Piston County.”
“Oh,” Angel said. This was news to her. “Has she told Whizz and Lacey?”
“No, she hasn’t even committed or said anything that suggests that’s what she is going to do. I don’t know what she has planned.” Anthony lifted his mug and took a long sip.
It was still piping hot, but that didn’t seem to bother him.
“Do you think you could talk to her?” he asked.
Angel looked at him, a little startled. “Anthony, you know I can’t convince her to stay if that’s not what she wants.”
“She won’t be happy there,” Anthony said. “She loves Tabitha and misses her, but I know Piston County isn’t for her.”
Angel reached over and put her hands on top of his. “Then you’ve got to be the one to talk to her. Tell her how you feel. Convince her.” Daisy and Anthony’s relationship was complicated, at least it was to her. She never knew what to say to him.
She had seen his infatuation when they were kids, and it had only gotten stronger as they grew up.
“I should talk to Tabitha.” He finished drinking his hot chocolate. “Thanks, Mom.”
Angel frowned, not exactly sure if she helped or not.
“Do you need me to stay up?”
“No, it’s fine. Go back to bed. Get some sleep.”
Anthony moved toward the door, then stopped and walked back to her, giving her a hug. “I do love you, Mom.”
“I love you too.”
She watched Anthony leave. He was growing up way too fast.
****
“Christmas music is on repeat,” Adam said, coming into the gym.
Lash looked up from his punching bag. “I hear.”
Tiny chuckled. As did Nash, Killer, and Whizz.
“Don’t you think you should tell her to stop or at least put other music on? I don’t think I can hear the same old songs another day.”
Lash sighed and looked at Adam. Lately, he had been grumpier than normal, and considering he was the most farting and cheering one of them all, that was saying something.
“You love Christmas. You’re always into the festive season. What’s the deal?”
“I’m older and wiser. Christmas sucks. It is a tradition to remind those of us that don’t have families that we’re old.”
“Ouch,” Tiny said. “Now that hurt. I thought we were all family here.”
Whizz agreed.
“No, you can go home to your nice, hot wife, your kids, and your family. What do I get? A lonely bed with a different-faced pussy every night.” Adam moved over to one of the benches and slumped down with his head on his fist.