I say, killing their amusement. “Can’t imagine how my head would work on a girl’s body. Better hope it’s a boy.”
“Don’t forget it’ll look like its ma too,” Utah says, getting chatty. “Shelby comes from a nice-looking family. Iggy and Ozzy are cute kids. And I ain’t just saying that. Lots of kids are ugly to me. Not those two. I bet your kid will be fine.”
Hugh nods while finishing his fries. “Shane’s genes destroyed Ramona’s. The boys have almost nothing of her in them. I guess that’s good since they’re boys, but I look a lot like my mom. Strong genetics win, and the Campbells might have champion-level genes.”
I look at my hands and try to imagine them holding a kid. How does that even work? I have never picked up a child. I don’t know what they eat. Milk, I guess, but at some point, they eat real food. I probably need to read up on that, but there’s time. Babies stay inside for nine months. At least, I know that much.
Frowning at nothing in particular, I grumble, “I don’t know when the kid is supposed to be born.”
“June,” Hugh says.
I wait for him to ask why Shelby didn’t give me the details. Then again, Hugh probably already knows. He’s in tight with Shelby. I wouldn’t mind getting closer to her too. Except that means trusting Shelby, and there’s no fucking way that’s happening.
How can I handle her when I’ve been conned by weaker, dumber women over the years?
THE WEIRDO
On the last evening without Shane and River, Ramona and Max distract themselves by playing video games with Kelsi. I sit on the floor, building towers with Iggy and Desi. Maude left for work a half hour earlier with Vaughn acting as her escort. Raven and Mom sit in the kitchen, talking about babies. Dad reclines in a chair and enjoys the action as Max, Ramona, and Kelsi shoot each other and the game’s pretend people.
After Desi wants to watch too, she sits next to my dad. I eventually join them when Iggy decides his mom’s thing is more fun. She holds him in her lap and helps him push buttons. Of course, they instantly start dying, but Ramona is too proud of her boy to care.
“Back when you were sleeping in your car outside Mom’s house,” I whisper to Dad as Desi claps at something Kelsi did onscreen, “did you ever feel like a loser?”
“Sure.”
“But you kept going back.”
“I had to be close to her. It seems crazy, but knowing she was just inside the house was better than knowing she was miles away.”
“What if she never loved you back? How long would you have waited?”
“I’d still be stalking her,” he says and gives me a wink.
Grinning, I rest my head on his shoulder and soak in the strength my father always has in spades. As a kid, I felt invincible because the monsters under my bed were scared of him. I miss the reassurance of knowing my dad can fix any problem.
“I’m not ready to give up on Goliath.”
“Then don’t, baby,” he says, taking my hand. “You aren’t a flighty woman that chases every man. If you think he’s worth waiting for, then you wait.”
Squeezing his hand, I get emotional. “I wish you and Mom lived here.”
“Soon,” he whispers. “I wanted to let Shane and River get their footing in Shasta before I moved here. They needed to run stuff without an old guy looking over their shoulders. Now that they’re settled in, your mom and I won’t be able to stay away much longer.”
I nearly squeal with delight at the thought of my parents moving to Shasta even part-time. I miss them so much. We used to spend a few nights a week together. There were trips to the movies, bowling, dinner, miniature golf, shopping, and visiting with friends. I loved my life in Ellsberg, mainly because of the people.
Now two more of those important people will help make Shasta feel more like home.
THE GOLIATH
I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t enjoyed the three-day trip with the Reapers. I forgot how freeing it is to ride a hog on an open highway. Not that I will admit it to anyone, but sliding into my Reapers vest on that last day feels right. I’ve got a sense of pride in being part of this club. These guys feel like my people. The pride might not last once we’re back in Shasta. That town reminds me of