Page 60 of Brokered Betrayals
Dane got in the car and barely had time to buckle up before Cayden backed down the driveway without looking in either direction. They lived in a quiet residential neighborhood, but they had occasional traffic, and this was one of those times.
“Watch out,” Royce hollered from the porch, even though they couldn’t hear him.
Cayden slammed on the brakes, and the oncoming car swerved and nearly ran up on the curb to miss him. The teenager beeped and waved his apology before driving off. Dane clutched his chest with one hand and a chunk of brookie in the other.
“Oh fuck,” Royce said after Cayden drove out of sight. “I’m in for it.”
“There’s no way in hell you’re getting me in that death trap,” Sawyer said. He patted Royce on the shoulder and walked inside the house. “You’re on your own, baby.”
“Thanks.”
The rest of their guests filed out, hugging or kissing them goodbye. Eddie walked Jo to the car and retrieved the letters. “I kept the pictures of you kids and the artwork y’all made. These are just letters.” The box was larger than Royce had expected.
“She must’ve liked you more than I realized.”
“Nah,” Eddie said. “Everything she did was for you kids. She would’ve done anything to make me a better man because it would’ve made me a better dad. I really wish your mama and Aunt Tipsy were here to see how I’ve turned out. Finally.”
Royce looked up at the twinkling stars in the velvety midnight blue sky. “Who’s to say they don’t have a front-row seat?”
“I’d like to believe it,” Eddie said as he pulled Royce into a hug. “Tell my granddaughter that Poppy loves her and will be back soon. I had to share her with too many people tonight.”
“I will.”
Royce waved as Eddie backed down the driveway, then went back inside the house. He carried the box into the living room and set it on the coffee table.
“Oh, what’s that?”
“The letters Aunt Tipsy sent to Eddie while he was in prison,” Royce replied.
“I bet you’re dying to dig in.”
“Maybe a little,” Royce admitted. “But it can wait until after I help you tidy up.”
“Evangeline and Jo restored order before they left.”
“Moms are always several steps ahead of us mere mortals,” Royce said.
“Always. Is it okay if I read them with you?”
“Of course.”
Sawyer scooted next to Royce and looped his arm around his lower back.
Royce reached into the box and pulled out a short stack of letters. His heart expanded just from seeing Tipsy’s handwriting on the outside of the envelope. He took a moment to trace the loops and curves before pulling out the first letter. “Oh wow. This probably arrived during Eddie’s first week in prison.” He unfolded the letter and snorted at what he read.
Dear Edward,
How an insufferable dipshit like you produced these beautiful children is beyond me. They’re adjusting well, and so am I. Last week, you said something after your sentencing that has stuck with me. You said that you owe me for stepping in. And you’re right. You do, and I’m calling in my chips. From this day forward, get your shit together. Be the man these precious kids deserve. I’ll keep writing and sending updates in case you deserve them someday. If not, you’re only hurting yourself. Now, how do I sign off a letter to someone I can barely tolerate? I’ll keep trying something new until I find the perfect fit.
Fuck you,
Tipsy
“Wow,” Sawyer said. “I want to be like her when I grow up.”
Royce set the letter down and chose the next in the stack. It must’ve been one that included pictures, because Aunt Tipsy had only written the date and location, which was the Fourth of July parade. She signed off with the same fuck you at the bottom. “Guess she hit pay dirt on her first attempt.”
“I will be curious to see how the tone changed over time. But not right now. Tonight is a special occasion.” When Sawyer only arched a brow, Royce said, “Darla’s umbilical cord fell off, and she gets a proper bath.”