Page 154 of Headstrong Like Us

I turn to Ryke. “Help what?” I ask again.

Ryke winces. “Look, Mof. You drank for the first time, and that has to be a big fucking deal for you.”

That.

Fuck.

My shoulders strain, muscles tight. So I told all my family what happened at the bachelor party, or at least, I told Janie. She took it hard and blamed herself for supplying the drinks, but I explained that it’s no one’s fault.

Let’s just chalk it up to the Hale Curse and move forward.

We hugged, and I asked her to spread the news through the family gossip network. She said she had me covered. It worked like a charm.

Didn’t have to confront anyone about it. Thought I could skid on by.

Now here I am.

“No,” I say to them and then grimace. “I mean, yeah, it is a big fucking deal. Butno, I don’t need to talk to a therapist.” I dunk a teabag in a mug, hoping everyone will let this conversation die.

My dad frowns. “There’s nothing wrong with talking it out with someone—”

“I got that,” I say into a nod. “I just don’t need professional assistance on this. I have Farrow, you know.”

My dad pauses, and I think he might tell me Farrow’s not good enough. But then he says, “I’m happy you have him.”

That drives through me, not in a great way. I hear my dad’s voice, saying that since I have Farrow I don’t need him. Giving himself an out to drink.

I want to help him.

I just don’t know how anymore.

34

FARROW KEENE

Radio clippedto my slacks and wire rounding up my neck, comms chatter fills my ears even though I’m technically off-duty. Did I mention how much I love Kitsuwon Securities?

Back at Triple Shield, the Alpha lead would’ve taken my radio upon departure. Now I don’t have to guess what the hell is happening in security or grovel to Thatcher for details.

As of now, the families are eating breakfast, so there’s not a lot of movement outside unsecure locations.

After clothing Ripley in shorts and a graphic tee of a surfing dog and embroidered lettering that readsbeach boy(he looks cool as shit), I balance my baby on my hip.

Maximoff is already in the main villa’s courtyard.

I’m getting a later start than Maximoff since I ran into my stepmom this morning. I was stuck in a thirty-minute one-sided chat, where she professed how much my old man wishes he could be here.

It is what it is.

Which is nothing.

I slow down for a second and watch Ripley inspect his hands, smacking his palms playfully together. Hands that I’m sure my dad would see and think,they’re meant to heal people one day.

Shit, I don’t want to be like him. I can’t be like him when it comes to my son. My father has taught me a lot in my life, I’ll give him that.

He’s taught me about medicine. About how best to care for people.

But his greatest lesson was one he never saw coming.