Warning Track (Callahan Family #1) - Carrie Aarons Page 0,53

I have no idea why anyone in this family would have any inclination to entertain my father’s behavior. Especially after all he’s said about us in the media as of late.”

Walker nods. “Your father is a dick, no denying that one. He always has been. But I worry about you. You have no obligation to forgive him, to see him, or to communicate, but I think you need some sort of closure. Do you think that talking to him would help? You seem two seconds away from the edge of burnout, Col. And don’t bother denying it, the night security at the ballpark keeps me well-informed of how late you’ve been staying.”

Anger blooms in my cheeks, because he shouldn’t be checking up on me. “If I have no obligation to him, then why are you pushing this? I’m in the role, I’m doing my job, I think it’s going pretty damn well with all the shit that was piled on my plate from day one of me stepping into that office. If I talked to him, went to see him, it would be playing right into his hand. Like giving a toddler throwing a temper tantrum attention. It’s exactly what my father wants. Why would you even suggest that?”

I can feel how ruddy my face is, and how much my temper is spiking on the inside points of my wrists.

Walker gives me a sad smile. “I just … I only say it out of love, Col. You know that. I want him to rot in prison, too, but not at the expense of your mental sanctity. Maybe it’s time you … I don’t know.”

The letter buried at the bottom of the junk drawer in my kitchen comes to mind, and not for the first time, I’m deadly curious as to what it contains. I go back and forth between wanting to know why my father has betrayed and abandoned me this way and not wanting to confront it at all. Part of me thinks that there can only be more ugliness and spite at the end of that tunnel, and it will only destroy me further.

As if conjured by a miracle, Sinclair walks in, holding the leash of a camel in one hand and a beer in the other. Where he got either in such a short amount of time, I’ll never know. But neither of the things in his hands can be a good idea when my black sheep of a cousin is involved.

At least I don’t have to talk to Walker about my father any longer.

“Lord, help us all. Whit, don’t let him in the house, he’s bound to burn it down!” Walker cups his hands around his mouth, shouting to Whitney.

The kids are sprinting up the lawn to him, all of them wanting a good look or pet of the camel. I hope to God that thing isn’t nasty or diseased, and that no parent here trusts that Sinclair could keep their child safe if anything was to happen in the next split second.

But when the children get close, Sinclair is so easy with them, talking and maneuvering so that the animal feels comfortable. The kids are enraptured, not only with the camel, but with what my cousin is saying.

“If there is anyone who should never reproduce, it’s my brother. And yet, I think he’d be the best parent out of all of us.” Walker tilts his head, studying his brother.

As I watch my other cousin with the kids, I can’t say I disagree. “That’s if he could actually grow up and stop being a child himself.”

24

Colleen

July Fourth is an all-out celebration at the ballpark.

This holiday has always been a favorite of our fans, with our marketing department implementing games, free T-shirt raffles, and the grand prize of a brand new red car from the dealership we sometimes partner with in Packton. It’s an all-out fun fest, and one of my favorite days at the park.

It’s especially nice to admire the players in their specialty uniforms, with red and blue stars on tight white baseball pants. Especially since I get a view of Hayes’ butt in them this year. My lord, that man has assets for days. I’ve never really ogled the opposite sex before; sure, I’ve found men attractive and maybe lusted after one or two in high school or college. But it’s never been this intense. My eyes can barely be dragged from his tall drink of water stature, and I notice things on Hayes