Page 37 of The Comedown

Unless he’s here to see Collette…

Is he here to see Collette? I don’t like the idea of that. In fact, I fucking hate it, almost as much as I hate Bodee.

Bodee finally looks at Holter, and grins. “Hi, son. Want to get out of here?” He makes this face that basically says “here” is the last place he wants to be.

Would it be weird if I brought up the whole kicking-Bodee’s-ass thing? I kinda wanna bring it up—now. Like right fucking now. Just a little reminder that while he may have more money than me, I can still beat the shit out of him.

“And go where?” Holter asks, so I decide not to say anything.

“Wherever you want.”

“Umm. Not wherever.” Collette places herself in Bodee’s line of vision again, raising her eyebrows. “That’s not what we agreed to and you know it. Not to mention we have some business to take care of first.”

“Like what?”

“Like is Jack enjoying his vacation?”

“Collette, I assure you John is savoring every moment of his time away on O’ahu.”

Who the fuck are they talking about and why are they talking about him like that? Like it’s some kind of code. And is it Jack or John? Or are they two different people?

Collette holds Bodee’s eyes for a beat longer, then nods. “Okay, you guys can go. But stay local. I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” she tells Holter, giving his forehead a kiss. “Be safe. I love you.”

The boy passes, and I say, “See ya, dude,” gaining Bodee’s attention.

Bodee stares at me, but says to Collette, “Have dinner with us.”

Yeah, Imma bring it up. That or just fight him again. Whatever shuts him up faster.

Luckily, Collette turns her ex down, telling him, “I have a show.”

“We all do.”

Now what does that mean? Because I know for a fucking fact Bodee’s not performing in town tonight. I would’ve heard about it.

Bodee’s eyes crinkle as he takes in my tattoos, so I cross my arms over my chest, making sure the worst of them are easier for him to make out.

“Meet us after.”

I’m already grinning, waiting for Collette to tell him off for trying to give her an order, but she doesn’t. She only sighs, peering past him to remind Holter to keep his phone charged and on.

Bodee takes one last look around in the smuggest way possible before turning to follow Holter off the bus.

Nobody makes a move, so when Mary starts to get up from the couch, it echoes throughout the whole bus.

“Mary.” Mary freezes, and quieter, Collette adds, “Stay close.”

“Always.”

“You don’t give her the night off when Holter’s with his dad?” I ask when the nanny we can’t call a nanny is gone.

“No,” is all Collette says, then she disappears into the bathroom.

Irelynn leans forward to whisper, “Just so you know, Mary would never let Collette give her the night off when Holter goes with Bodee.”

“Why?”

“Because the only person Bodee looks out for is Bodee.”