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“Hey, Coco,” Ari cooed.
I looked down to see the white tiger coming toward us, mouth open and panting.
She walked right up to Ari and rubbed along her legs, nearly taking me out in the process.
“Walk me to the bus, baby?” She looked down at Coco.
Coco bumped her nose against Ari’s thigh and the two of them disappeared into the bus that was just past the tent we were all standing in front of.
I waited until she was gone to say, “She’s coming with me for the next two weeks. She can’t do anything strenuous.”
Hades’s back immediately went up at my words.
“Wait, we have a show!” Hades called out, trying to make it sound like the show was the only reason that we needed to stay.
I ignored her.
Not liking that I refused to engage with her, she stomped off in the opposite direction of Ari.
In truth, it was because she was a selfish little bitch who only wanted her sister’s attention for herself and didn’t want to share.
“Cancel the shows for the next two weeks. She can’t perform anyway,” I called back, suggesting to Hades what I’d already suggested to Keene at the hospital.
Fuckin’ bitch.
“You’re mad.”
I looked over to find Simi in a chair sipping water.
“I’m a bit over mad,” I corrected her. “Honestly, I’m kind of incensed. Y’all allowed that,” I pointed at Hades who was now arguing with some worker that had bumped into her.
Simi stared at Hades for a long second before saying, “Family’s family here. We had to rely on each other because our dad didn’t like it when we came to him. For anything. Food, basic life necessities. Nothing. So we only had each other.” She paused. “I’m not excusing her behavior. It’s been atrocious. But I’m saying…we love each other. Faults and all.”
I gave her a look that clearly said what I thought about her explanation. “If that child you’re carrying had someone do to her what Hades has done to Ari, would you be upset?”
Simi snapped her mouth shut so fast that it made me want to laugh.
“We wouldn’t be okay with it.” Coffey appeared, holding out a brown paper sack. “Food for the road.”
I took the bag just as Ari came back out, lugging her essentials.
I stood up and caught it up before holding out my hand to her. “You ready?”
She leaned into me before saying, “As fuck.”
CHAPTER 20
Not the worst dad.
-Slone’s secret thoughts
SLONE
It was hours later when we were in the hotel bed, that I broached the subject of her sister again.
We’d had a good night.
We’d eaten until we were so full we couldn’t stand it.
