Chapter 23

Trigger

I knew Razz was going to be slow moving this morning, so I left her a couple of ibuprofen and a bottle of water on the nightstand. The kids and I went out to take care of the horses and let them roam in the pasture. By the time we were finished, a sluggish Razz was sitting at the kitchen table nursing a cup of coffee.

“How ya feeling?” I say quietly as I reach her. I massage her shoulders as she moans.

“I’ve had better days, but it’s all your sister’s fault. Fucking tequila.” She mumbles under her breath.

“I’m sure the Beam at Dani’s didn’t help either. What were y’all doing there in the first place? I thought it was shopping and then coming home.”

“Detour.”

“Detour.” I repeat and she nods. “What time do we have to be at the Clubhouse so you can help the girls?”

She squints at the clock on the stove. “Ugh, in about thirty minutes.” She sighs. “Do you think it’s okay if I go in my yoga pants?”

“Razz, I don’t care what you wear as long as you’re with me.”

She scoots the chair back and rises. “I’m going to take a shower. Can you get the kids situated?” I nod. “Thanks.” She plants a kiss on my cheek and takes her leave for the shower.

Her head is so clouded from her hangover she doesn’t realize the kids are sitting on the couch dressed with their shoes and coats on waiting for her. God, I hope that shower clears her head. Zombie Razz won’t work today. Between kids, cooking and the gift exchange, grumpy Razz will probably scare the whole kiddy crew. Shit, Emerson and Xander are watching her wearily as she strolls down the stairs in not her yoga pants but skintight jeans and a cream colored off-the-shoulder sweater with her knee-high brown leather boots.

“Sorry y’all.” She says to the kids. “I feel much better now. Let’s get going so y’all can play with the other kids before we eat and open presents.” She says excitedly.

They scramble off the couch and out the door as I throw my shoulder over Razz’s. “Glad to have you back.” She slaps my chest. “It would’ve been a shame to have my sister kick your ass into a better mood.”

“I’d like to see her try.” She snorts. “Come on. I’m hungry.”

***

Getting out of the Tahoe, Razz skirts around to the trunk and pulls present after present out. I have no clue where the hell they came from, but I’m not interrupting her grumpy ass. Dani and Greer make a beeline to Razz and start carrying the presents into the Clubhouse.

“Xander,” Razz calls, “Can you take these two gifts for Lyla?” He gives her a quiet yes and takes the gifts without another word.

I wrap her up in my arms and kiss her temple. “Thank you for getting something for Lyla. I didn’t even think about them being here today.”

“No worries. I don’t have anything against Lyla. She’s just as much a victim as the rest of us.”

“Yeah she is and I can only hope that Sadie doesn’t act like a twat muncher today.” She shakes her head at me. “You liked that didn’t ya. I added some of your vocabulary into my sentence today.”

“You’re hopeless.” She tries to swat at me, but I make a quick getaway to the Clubhouse.

The Clubhouse doesn’t have it’s usually array of smells. Instead of booze, man-sweat and cigarettes, it’s replaced with the scent of turkey cooking, sweet potato casserole and other foods as an undertoe. I place the presents I was allowed to carry under the fake tree my mother puts up every year and spot Sadie sitting in a chair in the corner with an ugly expression on her face until she notices me. Her face lights up and mine dims.

“Trigger!” She howls. “You came to see me.”

I shake my head in the negative. “Nope, came with my family to celebrate the holiday. Nothing about my visit is about you, Sadie.” As I turn to make my escape, a little body rams into my legs. Looking down, I see Lyla’s blonde head. I lift her to my hip. “Hey you! I’ve missed you. How have you been?”

She smiles at me and her eyes light up. “I missed you too. I’ve been at my Grandpappy’s.” I stroll into the kitchen with her as she continues to tell me all about the adventures they’ve been on. I’m glad that she’s taken care of in Louisiana.

“That’s awesome, munchkin.” I set her down. “Did you get to meet Xander and Emerson?”

She jumps up and down. “Yes. I like Emerson’s shoes.”

Of course she does. Emerson’s shoes look like a unicorn shit glitter. “She does have some cool shoes.” I look around the kitchen and spot my dad and an older man at the table. I motion to him. “Is that your Grandpappy?”

“Yes.”

“Why don’t you go play with the kids for a little bit before we eat?” She takes off skipping through the room. I walk over to the men and give chin lifts to my brothers. Mr. Breaux notes my presence with a thin smile. I jet out my hand for him. “Mr. Breaux, I’m Trigger. It’s nice to meet you.”

He accepts my hand in a firm shake. “It’s nice to meet you too, son. Lyla talks about you often.”

“I’m glad she has you to take care of her.”

“I don’t know how lucky she is as I’m an old man and have no business raising another child at my age, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“She’s easy compared to the rest of the heathens around here.”

He chuckles. “I see they can get a little rowdy, but that’s the whole point of being a kid, enjoying life until you get older and have to take responsibility for yourselves in the real world.”

“Very true.”

The conversation turns to motorcycles, muscle cars and the New Year. Before I realize it, the women are placing the food on the buffet table and my mom’s calling everyone to eat. Benny escorts Sadie to her place at the end of the table furthest away from Razz and me. I watch as Albin takes a seat next to her, but she does everything in her power to ignore him and Lyla. Her focus is steadily on Razz, but Razz glares right back with a smirk on her face.

Tis the season for spoiled bitches to get knocked down a few pegs.