Page 82 of Sinners Reunion

We don’t have time to dwell on the dust between her legs, though, because footsteps clomp closer outside. She looks at the toothbrush-holder-turned-urn in her hand, and I shake my head, already knowing what she plans to do.

It doesn’t stop her.

She shoves the entire thing into Mother Nature’s pocket, hops off the counter, and pops her legs into her shorts before the door flies open.

I fully expect to see Chef’s angry face, but it’s only Bennett. He stops when he sees us standing around like a couple of guilty cons who were too bloody stupid to leave the scene of the bank heist.

“What are you two still doing here?” he says.

Josie motions to the casserole. “We had to sabotage it. I hope you don’t mind if we tell Chef Maurice that you fucked it.”

Bennett shrugs and glances around the bus. “After the pineapple and the turkey leg, what’s a little casserole fucking? Hey, have you guys seen a purple toothbrush holder?”

My stomach sinks.

“I put some of my mom’s ashes in it.” He lifts a throw pillow from the tatty sofa, then tosses it back when he doesn’t find what he’s looking for. Because it’s currently inside Josie. “I figured it would be easier to tote around than the big urn, but now I’ve fucking lost her. All those years she kept up with my unruly ass in the supermarket, and I can’t go one day without misplacing her. Well, part of her.”

His words are a dagger to my black heart.

“She’ll turn up,” I say. I place a hand on his shoulder, and he finally stops his frantic searching. “You head back to your RV, and if we find her, we’ll bring her to you. It’s the least I can do if you’re willing to take the blame for the casserole.”

Bennett releases a sigh of relief, and his shoulders relax. “Thanks. I’m usually not this emotional, but she was all I had, you know?”

I do know. And it’s all my fault.

“She’s not all you have now, though,” Josie says. “You have King and Cat and your siblings. And you can’t forget Jim.”

“Not even if you want to,” Bennett says.

I squeeze his shoulder. “Right, so buck up, lad. All isn’t lost. Just part of her, perhaps.”

I can almost feel Josie wincing behind me at the truth of my words.

“You guys are right, and don’t ever tell anyone I said that.” Bennett finally smiles. He turns to leave, then stops in the doorway. “Hey, King?”

I raise my eyebrows.

“You still down to teach me how to do that thing?” He looks at Josie.

I smile at him. “Of course, but you needn’t be ashamed. You didn’t have a man around to teach you how to eviscerate cleanly. I’m happy to step in, and Josie will keep it between the three of us.”

Josie makes a zipper motion over her lips. “Count your blessings, Bennett. My father was in my life, and all he taught me how to do was dodge a flying beer bottle.”

“Yeah, well, if my sperm donor knows what’s good for him, he’ll read all those letters Jim keeps leaving behind, then take a flying leap off the nearest ledge.” Bennett spits out the door. “Shit, Chef’s coming. You guys might want to pretend to chase me out of here if you really want to make it believable.”

Josie squirms, likely struggling to cope with the fact that she’s become a literal motherfucker. Still, she opens her mouth and yells, “Bennett, not the casserole! Why?”

He gives us a salute and races from the bus, pretending to fasten his pants as he goes. I run after him and stop at the threshold. I’m only glad he can’t see my face as he races away. If he could, he’d see the hurt. The shame.

I can’t even lock the glaring ache behind a mask. The feelings are too big.

Josie’s warmth presses in behind me, and I close my eyes. I haven’t even considered what she’ll think of me once she learns I’m the deadbeat father. She may take up a weapon and join them. I wouldn’t blame her. Or them.

“We’d better get back to our RV,” she whispers as she peers around me. “He looks pissed, and I don’t know how much longer I can stop myself from screaming.”

I sigh and wrap my arm around her. The mess I’ve created is far worse than the one between her legs, and I’ve no clue how to begin cleaning it up. After Arizona, I may need to come clean with Josie. At the end of this, she may be all I have left.

Chapter Twenty-Five