Chapter 20
Bishop
“You can head out,” I tell Caelin as we close up shop.
It’s going on ten o’clock at night and we’ve been working to get this batch of cars done for Hawk and the boys.This is mostly for me, for him too, but more for me and the baby.I hate to see him working so late when he’s doing it for me.
“Are you sure?I don’t mind staying with you.”
“I know and I appreciate it.Go home to Justice.I’ll be headed home to Harley soon.If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be here at all hours of the night.Go and enjoy your time with your wife.”
For a moment, it looks like Caelin is going to argue with me, but then he makes a decision.“Okay, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.I can be back here in fifteen.”
“I won’t need anything.You’re good.”
He waves at me as he strolls out of the bay.A few more swipes with the rag and this car is ready to get back on the trailer.I’ll come in early tomorrow to get it taken care of.Walking around, I start my routine of making sure all the lights are turned off.The last thing I need is Harley accusing Caelin and I of making the electric bill high again.
Doing one last round, I hear a noise that isn’t normal and I’m immediately on the offensive.“Caelin?Did you forget something?”
But there’s a tension in the place that isn’t from him.When Caelin walks into the shop, he’s usually as relaxed as are the rest of us.This is our place, where we come to not only work, but also have fun.What I’m feeling rolling off the darkness is evil.I’ve encountered it before, but a part of me doesn’t want to believe it’s come here to do this to me again.
“Come the fuck out, Dad.”
From the shadows, he saunters out.Almost as if he owns the place.I haven’t seen him since the night at the football game.
He’s changed.
Or maybe I have.
He doesn’t scare me as he once did.At one point in my life, seeing him here would have sent me into a tailspin, because that’s how he’d programmed me to behave.Each time I’d tried to stand up on my own, he’d pushed me down.There was an innate fear of trying to be the person he wanted me to be, while knowing I wasn’t true to myself.
“You’ve done well for yourself.”He looks around.Again, much too familiar with the place.
“This isn’t mine,” I correct him.
“Could be though.You still fuckin’ that Walker girl?”
I see red, a haze I haven’t given into since I started living with Heaven Hill.“Don’t put her name in your mouth.”
“Ohhh, she’s it, huh?The pussy you’ll stand up for?Could never get you to do that for anything else.”His smile is creepy and all I want is to get him outta here.
“She’s my person and I’ll die trying to protect her.”
“So, is that why you and Tyler’s son have been here at all hours of the night taking care of those cars from the Red Creek boys?”
How the fuck does he know about this?“Y’all been watching us?”
“Why would I be paying attention to you?I’m busy running my own concrete business.”He smirks.
“That’s my question.You know if you’re watching me, you’re watching Heaven Hill, right?”
“You think I’m scared?You’re the one scared.You ran away from me, remember?Besides, don’t see you wearing no patch.”
Those words annoy me more than I should let them.“I got out of a bad situation.You wanna spin the narrative so that you’re not the bad guy when we both know that’s fuckin’ bullshit?These fists.”I hold mine up.“Have a lot of catching up to do.About seventeen years, wouldn’t you say?”
“C’mon, big boy.You think you can take on your dear old dad?”
“I know I can.I’ve changed a lot since the last time I saw you.”