Forever Too Far

“Good point.”
         Nate started to fuss in my arms. He was trying to get to the goods again. I shifted him in my arms and Rush reached for him. “Give him to me. He won’t be thinking about milk when I’ve got him.”
         I handed Nate to him and he instantly calmed down and stared up at Rush. He was fascinated with his father.
         “You’re good with him. I’m not surprised. You’ve been playing dad for as long as I can remember,” Nan said. It was the first nice thing she’d said since she’d gotten here.
         “I’m only good at it because I’ve watched Blaire. She’s taught me everything.”
         Nan didn’t like that answer and it wasn’t true. He’d been a natural from day one. I started to argue when Nan pushed her stool back scraping it across the floor. “I just wanted to see the kid and let you know I’m doing better. If you want to see me I’m in town for a few days. I’m not up for anymore bonding with your little family here so keep that in mind.”
         I watched as she stalked out of the kitchen and down the hall toward the front door without another word. Rush didn’t respond.
         “And she’s still a bitch,” Rush muttered.
         I turned to look up at him and he was frowning. “I’m sorry that she talked to you like that,” he said.
         “I ignore everything she says. She wants me to be the villain and I’m afraid she always will. It’s okay. I didn’t marry her,” I replied.
         Nate heard my voice and he moved his head to look at me before he started crying. He wanted me for my boobs. I smiled and reached out to take him. “I’m going to have to feed him again. He must not have gotten full last time. He’s determined to eat again.” 
        Rush handed him to me. “Lucky little shit.”
        I kicked him and he laughed that full belly laugh that I loved.
        “You hungry?” he asked.
         “Yes. Starving. Can you make me a sandwich?” I asked him before walking to the living room to get comfortable in the recliner.
         “Anything for you,” he replied.

 
    RUSH
     
         Woods was standing outside of the clubhouse arguing with that Angie or Angel or Angelina... Hell I couldn’t remember her name. She’d been around off and on through the years. I was pretty sure she was a summer fuck for Woods when we were in high school. Her daddy was in the same business as the Kerringtons and Grant had thought that Woods was going to marry her.
         Then this Della chick had shown up and my guess was things had changed. Or not. I couldn’t tell. Last I’d heard Della hadn’t gone to jail and it had been a misunderstanding. Woods had raised some hell at the police station though. The girl had her hands on Woods’ arms and it looked like she was begging him. I wasn’t sure I wanted to walk up on that conversation but the dude looked like he needed help.
         He had enough shit to deal with now that his dad was dead. No one had been prepared for it and Woods had it all thrust at him overnight.
     “Get off me Angelina. I swear to God, if you don’t leave me the fuck alone I’m going to have a restraining order on your ass,” Woods said as he shoved her hands off him. He turned to see me walking up and the relief in his eyes was obvious.  “Rush. Hey, you here for that meeting?” he asked.
         I had no idea what he was talking about and I was willing to bet he’d just made that shit up. “Yep,” I replied.
         “This isn’t over, Woods. I swear to you it isn’t. You’re making a huge mistake,” she cried out as Woods broke free from her and started toward me.
         “Get me the hell away from her. Fast,” he muttered as he walked past me. I turned and followed him. I’d been here to talk to Bethy about babysitting tomorrow night so I could take Blaire out on a date. But it looked like I was going to get to chat with Woods first.
         He opened the door to the club and went inside not waiting to see if I followed him. “Craziest fucking bitch I’ve ever met,” he swore once we were both safely inside. He ran his hand through his hair and let out a frustrated growl.  “I was running. I was. I was gonna pull a fucking Tripp. I was taking Della and we were going to leave this shit behind. My dad had pushed me too far and I was done. Then he had to up and die. Come to find out Dad’s will stated that on my twenty-fifth