Page 55 of Painkiller (Sin Records #3)

“We all do, mate,” Ryder answers for him. “We’ve known for a while. Hard not to put the pieces together, considering you look like your mum, and he looks like you.”

“It was never our place to say anything, but…” Maddox trails off, looking at his wife first, then his best friend, who both nod.

“If you ever need someone to talk to about what happened, come see Ryder or me, yeah?” I look between them, wondering if he’s saying…

” We, uh…” His jaw clenches tight, eyes swirling with anger and shame. A look I’m all too familiar with.

“What he’s trying to say is we’ve been through some shit, mate.

” Ryder’s lingering British accent gets a little thicker with his own emotions flaring.

“Maybe the same. Maybe not. But we can relate to a lot. We’re here if you need anything.

” He shrugs. “Or if you need a good thumping. Or a reminder that drugs, booze, and fighting don’t fix anything. ”

I give them another curious glare, then shake my head. It’s better to assume, like my brother, they know everything because they don’t understand what personal space or privacy mean when it comes to…well, anyone but them.

“Yeah, sure. Thanks.”

“Jagger, we mean it,” Maddox says, finally getting his emotions in check.

“We did things the hard way. Learn from our mistakes.” He looks across the room, a smirk twisting his mouth.

“And if you find someone who will deal with your baggage and bullshit, hang on to them.” He wraps his arm around Quinn, kissing her head.

And while I appreciate everything they’re saying, I’m feeling a little weird and a lot violated that they snooped into my business. Even if I’m not surprised by it.

Fortunately, I don’t have to think about it too much before Casey rolls in a cart with two cakes on it.

“Noah,” I whisper against his soft cheek where he’s still nuzzled into my neck, sucking on his thumb.

“Look what Casey has.” He looks up, blinking red-rimmed, watery eyes that look just like mine. “She’s got something for you.”

“Sas,” he murmurs softly.

“Yeah, Case. Want to go see what she has?” He nods, resting his cheek against my shoulder again.

“Come on, birthday boys. First presents, then cake,” Casey chirps cheerfully. When she spots Noah and me together, she cups her cheeks, her blue eyes watering.

“Don’t start the waterworks, Casey,” I tell her when I reach the cart. “It’s only a big deal if you make it one.”

“Y-you’re holding him.”

“I’ll fill you in later. Now, do your thing.”

“Right, right.” She fans her face, blowing out a slow breath. Unfortunately, when my brother makes it to the table, my sappy stepsister begins bawling.

“Fuck my life,” I grumble.

“Tuck,” Noah mimics, and my lashes drop.

“Yeah, buddy, tuck,” I repeat, hoping he’ll forget what I just said.

Casey and Lily begin passing Noah his presents.

I help him open them, but he’s more interested in the paper and ribbons than the actual gifts.

After his last one, Graham speaks up. “And now for my present,” he looks at everyone, then points directly to Maddox, Ryder, and Angel.

“You are on your own for the week after tomorrow. I’m taking my girl on a trip as her engagement present. ”

“You are?” Casey gasps. “But what about rehearsal?”

“You could do that dance in your sleep, Case,” Poppy says, appearing at my side.

“All right,” Liam calls out. “Let’s sing Happy Birthday before these kids have a fit. They want cake.”

They all laugh, then sing the song—everyone but my dad, who’s glaring at me the entire time. Graham bitches as he blows out his candles. We all laugh when Casey tries to get Noah to blow out his and fails.

The cake is passed around. Noah gets his own, of course, but everyone nearly doubles over when Casey brings one for Graham. His abhorred expression makes it priceless.

Ten minutes later, it’s my turn to be aghast. Noah is covered. His hair is covered in white and green. Chocolate dots his cheeks. He looks as if he’s wearing more than he ate. And he’s quickly drifting off.

“Uh…So, how do we handle that?” I ask, not even knowing where to begin with the mess he’s made.

“You’d know if you were actually involved in his life,” Dad’s deep voice says from behind me.

“Dad,” Graham hisses.

“What? He comes and goes as he pleases while the rest of us do the hard stuff. Show me the lie.”

Instantly, my mood shifts because he’s right. It’s the reminder I need because while I visit and have fun with him, I have no clue how to raise him. His routines, his favorite foods…I don’t know any of it. As much as I want Noah with me, I’m not what’s best for him.

And it doesn’t escape my attention that my father chooses his words carefully, unaware that everyone in here has already pieced it together.

Enough of it anyway. Because Krista’s reputation precedes her.

And it seems the room full of people I’ve met—become as close as I’m capable of over the years—knows me better than my own father.

Know I never would’ve touched Krista, even if she hadn’t been married to Dad.

A heavy hand lands on my shoulder. “I’m pretty sure all the fathers in this room can attest that we’ve been clueless in this situation, too.

” Liam’s voice holds nothing but vitriol for Dad.

“And considering the circumstances, I think he’s making great progress.

I mean, his son was calling him da-da a few minutes ago. ”

Dad’s face turns purple with anger as he looks around the room, realizing he’s surrounded by people he’s pissed off more than once over the years. The man at my side more than any. “This doesn’t concern you. It’s between my son and me.”

“Yeah, well, my relationship with Casey didn’t concern you, but you inserted yourself right on in there, didn’t ya, Maxwell?”

Dad runs his tongue over his teeth, his fists clenching at his side. But he won’t argue with Liam. He can’t. And not because Liam towers over him by nearly half a foot, but because he knows Liam is right.

His dark eyes turn to me. “I need to see you in my office.” With that, he storms away .