I hope to locate the people behind those attacks and alert the police.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Why doesn’t your paper investigate the Shasta Slasher killings? Are dead hookers not worth taking up space from the articles about antique dressers and how to plant tulips?”
“You are aware there is no Shasta Slasher.”
“Yes, I’m totally aware it’s a big old fantasy, which is why I spend my free time looking into it. Just a fun lark like Big Foot and Slenderman. I can’t wait to read your article about the funny legend people blame for torturing and murdering women. I bet it’ll be a hoot. I’m hanging up now.”
I doubt hormones are why I’m so rattled by the call. Most likely, I feel betrayed by a fapsock ratting out my private investigation to that bitch at the paper. Who would even do that? My interest in the Shasta Slasher isn’t a secret. I’ve mentioned it a few times at the Saloon. Which one of those disloyal twats went to the shitty local paper?
Before I can rage to the heavens, I find Ozzy awake in his crib. He’s very interested in his mobile. Seeing me, he smiles and wiggles. Like his big brother, he’s an easygoing kid. Will my kid be so chill? If it’s anything like Goliath and me, the answer is no.
I carry the baby downstairs to where Taylor and Kelsi have joined the group. I find Ramona sitting between my mom and dad with Iggy on her lap. Without thinking, I whip out my phone and take a photo. These are my people. Well, most of them, and they look beautiful together. I add Ozzy to the mix and get another, more posed picture for when my brother arrives.
Taylor enters the room and gently knocks me into a chair. “We don’t have long to prove our dick lengths. I will shove you to the ground and urinate on you as a sign of dominance and friendship.”
“Well, I’ll pee up at you to prove I have dick control or something.”
Dad laughs at our attempts to be men. I guess we’re doing something wrong. Maybe we ought to grab our balls more and fart with extra vigor.
Taylor and I never get a chance to hone our man skills before I hear the heavenly roar of motorcycles pulling up the drive. I would normally shove everyone aside to run outside and jump into my brother’s arms. That feels like the right move. Except I see Ramona’s expression as she breathlessly tells Iggy that Daddy’s home. They need him more than I do.
Mom holds Ozzy while Ramona hurries outside with her son. Max waddles excitedly behind them. Shane bolts off his bike and toward his family. River doesn’t even pretend to be cool. He’s all over Max as if he might need to fuck her against a tree soon.
I stand on the porch, watching everyone hug and share tales about missing each other. Kelsi runs out to Hugh, who must be talking about his balls based on his hand gestures. Taylor joins me. She doesn’t say a word before wrapping an arm around my shoulders. It’s then I realize I’m crying.
Because I’ll never have this kind of reunion with the guy I want. Goliath didn’t race back to me. He wasn’t missing me over the last few days. I’m not in his arms, soaking in his scent and clinging to him.
Whether from hormones or disappointment, I stand on the porch, both relieved to see my family reunited and depressed over how I can’t enjoy my own version of what they share.
THE GOLIATH
The trailer feels like a letdown after three days on the road. I hadn’t talked much with the guys, but I was around people I understood. Yet here I am back home, thinking about a woman I can’t wrap my head around.
No way should I feel lonely. I got sick of having people around in prison. No privacy. Someone always talking somewhere nearby. Nothing was ever mine. The trailer is, and it’s quiet. I oughta enjoy being here, but I feel restless all night.
I consider going to the Saloon, but it’ll be dead. The guys have families to go home to. The ones that don’t will just be fucking the sweet butts. I don’t want to watch that shit when I can’t get off too.
Maybe I oughta fuck one of them. That’d get back to Shelby, and she’d be pissed enough to cut me loose. Then I could be how I was when she was just an