In the middle of the bakery, Fredia clutched his father's hands in both hers. Desperation shone in her lustful eyes as he tried to break out of her grip. Mr. Lockhart's gaze met Casey's, who stood at the entrance with a whirlwind of emotions flowing through him.
"Mam, you've been mistaken. I have no idea who you are, so please let go," Mr. Lockhart snapped, yanking his hands from her sparkly polished claws.
"Your kids already know," Fredia said. "They used your account to find me. It's over now. We don't have to hide anymore."
Casey heard the door open behind him; a brush of cold air pelting his nape as he clenched fists. Nothing prepared him for the confrontation. All words abandoned him as he glared at his father and his mistress. Lani came up on his side while August remained behind him, neither speaking up.
It was too late for excuses. He couldn't lie his way out of this. No matter how much he pleaded his innocence or played ignorant, the jig was up. He'd been cheating on their mom all this time.
"How could you do this?" Casey asked, voice trembling as he grit his teeth together.
"Casey. Lani. You've gotta understand, this is all a misunderstanding," Mr. Lockhart explained. "I have no idea who this woman is."
"I found the messages on your computer and reached out to Fredia," Lani told him. "When she left the diner, she came straight here. Why would she do that if she doesn't know you?"
Mr. Lockhart raised his hands in defeat; expression conveying nothing but confusion. "I don't know. I've never been on any sites like that, messaging women. I love your mom. I've never been unfaithful to her. You have to believe me."
Fredia tried to show him her phone, but Mr. Lockhart ignored her and kept his attention focused on Casey and Lani. A handful of customers paused their conversations to eavesdrop, munching on their sweets and enjoying it like an entertaining reality drama.
Casey wanted to believe his father, but how could he with Frieda standing right there? She knew where he worked and they found that chat on their dad's computer. There was no other explanation for it. He had to be cheating.
Before Casey had a chance to respond, a rush of wind came up behind him as the door walloped open. Lani rushed out, not bothering to spare a glance back at them. August crept out behind her, leaving Casey all alone at the entrance of their bakery.
Curious eyes searched him like hungry vultures as his throat tightened up. His dad pleaded with him to understand, coming around the tables, nearing him. Casey took a few steps back toward the door, his hands reaching out for the knob before gently pushing it open. Mr. Lockhart stopped in front of him, but Casey didn't want to listen.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I just can't. Not here. Not now," Casey told him. "I need to get home to Wyatt. Just cut my pay for the day."
Casey didn't look back, despite how much it hurt to walk away from his father. Let him handle his mistress. He didn't care about leaving work. His dad could close without him. While Casey needed the money, he couldn't just work like normal as his dad made excuses for cheating on their mom.
All those people gawking at him sent his anxiety into overdrive. He needed air; a place where he could breathe without feeling them closing in around him.
"Hey, you good?" August asked, leaning back against the bakery's exterior, smoking a cigarette.
"No." Casey shook his head, wiping at his eyes before the tears could fall. He wouldn't cry in front of him like a baby. "We should leave."
August nodded, retrieving his keys to unlock the doors. Casey wasted no time climbing in, folding his arms across his chest as he shivered. Resentment burned in the back of his throat and he worried he'd break out in sobs if he tried to speak.
They rode in silence. August tried to talk to lighten the mood, offering to change the radio or adjust the heater. Casey cared about none of that. All he could think about was how many times his dad must've cheated on his mom.
"You just want me to take you home?" August asked.
"No, not yet." Casey gazed out his window, watching the town bypass him in a blur of hazy colors. "I'm sorry, I just don't want Wyatt seeing me like this. I don't want to explain to him what happened. Audrey's still watching him and Lani will be there too. I'll message them so they know I won't be home for a bit."
"Nah, that's fine. Where do you wanna go?" August asked.
"Anywhere to clear my head," Casey replied.
"We can just drive around I guess?" August suggested. "That okay?"
"Yeah, that's fine." Casey kept his gaze focused out the window, struggling to come to terms with everything he'd learned. "That woman... Do you think she killed my mom?"
"I don't know." August shrugged. "It's possible. Have you seen her around the bakery lately? Aside from today."
"No, I don't think so. We get all kinds of people coming into the bakery, so I can't say for sure," Casey replied.
As his phone vibrated in his lap, Casey quickly checked it. Just a few messages from Lani, assuring him they could take care of Wyatt until he got back. He had two missed calls from his dad too, but he ignored them. Casey knew it had been a shitty thing to do, but he couldn't stay there with Fredia around.
All those nosy customers glares and whispers still sent shivers down his spine. He couldn't even imagine being around his dad right now either. Not after learning about his infidelity. Casey wasn't sure what hateful words he might shout at him. Their mom was just buried, yet he had the audacity to speak to another woman then lie to them.
"How long do you think he's been seeing her?" August asked.
Casey shrugged. "I don't know. Probably in the recent week or two. That's when they started messaging each other."
At the stoplight, August reached over to check his phone. He sent a brisk message back before tossing it back in the cup holder, groaning. "You mind if we make a quick stop?"
"I don't mind. Where to?" Casey asked.
"Our hideout," August replied. "You can stay in the car. Just a little business I gotta handle. You don't need to worry."
Casey leaned against the window, propping one elbow up to elevate his head. Familiar houses passed by as they entered Viper Valley. While it was a rough patch in New Syracuse, it was better than the horrendous streets in Hell's Hollow, where the Voiceless Rebels claimed their turf.
Many yards had chain-length fences girdling them with guard dogs or people on the inside sat with their guns loaded, prepared to defend their property against any trespassers. Casey had been on the perilous street many times before to bring Veronica home when she took too much oxy or heroin.
Even their old hideout; a tumbledown warehouse with artistic doodles spray painted all over it, hadn't changed a bit. Most of them were throw-up tags made by the gang members and others they'd painted of the members who they'd lost. Whether it be shot down by their rivals or tossed in prison for life.
A familiar portrait stuck out to Casey amid all the vandalism that decorated the warehouse. Purple pigtails and a sad smile painted the side of the building. Veronica's best friend, Samantha. Those god-forsaken Voiceless Rebels killed her in cold-blood.
Casey knew how difficult it was for women in their gangs, which was why he'd tried so hard to get Veronica out. Casey didn't want to wake up one day and see them broadcasting her dead body on the news. If only he'd sought outside help back then, maybe things wouldn't have turned out the way they did.
Veronica never should've gone to the Black Vipers. She should've stayed by his side and helped him raise their son, like they'd planned to.
Her precious drugs mattered more than him. They were more important than Wyatt.
"I can leave the radio on for you," August said. "Whatever you'd like."
"It's fine. I can come with you." Casey unbuckled his safety belt and climbed out, stretching his legs. Sunlight shined down on him as he crossed over onto the sidewalk, crunching through filthy snow.
"Are you sure?" August hesitated. "This really ain't your kind of crowd, ya know. These people here don't mess around."
Casey bit back a grin, offering a simple shrug instead. "I'll just stay by your side. It should be fine. You won't let them hurt me, will you?"
August sighed. "Alright, fine. But you keep your head down and don't make a scene."
As they approached the enormous warehouse building, a wave of nostalgia washed over Casey. Nothing had changed. Even their security measures were the same, with Jon waiting for them at the back entrance with his rottweiler. The mohawk Jon sported had been dyed a dark green, while the sides had been shaved to show off his snake tattoo on the right side of his scalp.
"Yo, Jon." August greeted him. "Brought a friend with me."
"Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle." Jon sat up, grinning. "Casey? What the hell are you doing with this fool?"
August furrowed his brows, frowning. "Huh? You know each other?"
"Just happened to be in the neighborhood." Casey rubbed the back of his neck, forcing a small chuckle. It amused him how August assumed he'd never entered the Black Vipers hideout before and met most of their prominent members.
"Well, come on in." Jon stepped aside, unlocking the door for them. "You already know the way."
Inside the renovated warehouse, it reeked of marijuana and oddly enough, chocolate. The walls around them had seen better days, peeling in many places, while the floors hadn't been swept in years most likely. A few dead cockroaches led a path to their lounging room, where some folks gathered on the tattered couches and recliners.
Casey folded his arms across his chest, shivering from the draft. They had a few heaters on, but it didn't fend off the coldness that seeped through the cracks in the busted windows haphazardly boarded up with plastic and duct tape.
"Casey? That you?" A young woman sprung from the sofa like a yo-yo. She swept her sandy blonde hair over her shoulder, exposing the new gauges that pierced her ears. "Where have you been? You haven't come by like forever."
"Sorry, Sierra. I've just been busy with the bakery and taking care of Wyatt," Casey replied. "And I'm sure you've already heard about my mom..."
Sierra pulled him in a tight embrace. "I heard. I'm so sorry."
August stood beside Casey; a look of bewilderment shone in his eyes. Casey realized he ought to clear some things up.
"Veronica's brought me here before. Quite a lot, actually. I know most everyone here," Casey replied. "I figured you must've been recruited after things ended between Veronica and I."
August nodded. "I see."
"I've never been an official member of the gang," Casey explained. "That's why I'm free to come and go."
"I don't understand. Why?" August asked.
"Well, Veronica was my fiancee," Casey replied. "Spouses get special treatment, you know. While we weren't married on paper, it was close enough. I doubt you'd say anything, but please don't let this get back to my family. Especially not my sister, okay?"
"They don't know?"
"No, not even my mom knew," Casey told him. "I'd like it to stay that way."
August nodded, clearing his voice. "Well, I'll just leave you here to play catch-up. I've got business to deal with."
"Alright. I'll be here when you get back."
Casey moseyed inside the familiar lounging room, with Sierra clinging to his side, bombarding him with life stories he'd missed out on. A plate of brownies laid out on the table with some lopsided chocolate cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles.
The stout man smoking a cigar on the left side of the couch Casey and Sierra sat on, grinned at him, exposing a set of golden teeth. A gold snake earring pierced his left earlobe and a tattoo of a python circled his thick neck.
"How's Izzy and Iggy?" Casey asked him.
"They're great! You wanna seem em?" Snake Charmer asked.
"Yeah, sure."
Within seconds, Snake Charmer came back out carrying two snakes that slithered up his arms. The first time he'd met the man, those scaly little shits scared the living hell out of him, but he'd gotten used to them. Casey even held his arm out, allowing one of them to glide up his arm.
"She missed ya," Snake Charmer told him.
Casey chuckled. "Yeah, seems like it."
"Where've ya been?" Snake Charmer asked, plopping back down beside him. "We've missed you around here."
"With work and raising Wyatt, I don't have as much free time," Casey admitted. "And with everything that happened between Veronica and I... Just figured y'all didn't want me around."
"Nonsense." Sierra tossed a playful arm around his shoulder. "You're always welcome here, Casey. Even if you ain't official. You're our friend."
Casey smiled. "You're just saying that cuz you miss my baking."
Sierra gasped. "What? How could you say that? You're more than just our baker. But like, we have missed your delicious cupcakes."
"We've tried recreating them but nothing compares to yours," Snake Charmer told him. "I think Sierra's come the closest."
"Well, how about I whip us up a batch while August's doing business?" Casey asked, rising from the couch. "You've got the ingredients, yeah?"
Sierra grinned. "We sure do. Was planning to make a batch tomorrow, but now that you're here..."
It didn't take long for Casey to find himself in their mini kitchen, rebuilt from the warehouse's old breakroom. Baking weed cupcakes and brownies had been common for him when he stayed over with Veronica. Ever since he gained full custody of Wyatt, he'd cut down on engaging in those fun treats and making them.
Casey rarely got high anymore, even with Xavier, especially if he'd be spending time with his son. But after the horrendous day he'd had, Casey didn't mind indulging himself just a little bit.
Whatever business August had to deal with took a lot longer than Casey expected. Within an hour, Casey had baked the delicious weed cupcakes and ate about four of them with Sierra and Snake Charmer. They even brought some out to Jon, who'd been just as thrilled to savor the sweet treats again.
"Man, these are the best," Snake Charmer said through a mouthful.
"I've missed baking them." Casey sunk his teeth into the creamy frosting, dropping bits of the chocolate cake into his palm.
Casey was relieved that he'd planned ahead of time to have Lani and Audrey watch Wyatt. Getting high had been the last thing he'd expected to do, but it all just happened. Casey didn't bake the cupcakes with a large amount of weed, so it got him buzzed just enough to still hold a conversation and not knock him out.
For the next two hours, he'd be sure to stay there at the hideout until it faded more. Casey didn't like going home when he got high. Something about it just felt wrong and reminded him of all the times Veronica staggered home, almost falling over herself from the drinking and heroin she'd take at the club.
"What the hell's going on here?" August asked, emerging from around the corner. "You baked cupcakes?"
"Ooh, you gotta try one." Sierra held a frosted cupcake up to August. "They've got weed in them. They're the best!"
August frowned. "Are you all high right now?"
Casey tilted his head in August's direction, grinning. "Maybe."
Warmth oozed through his body as he leaned over the coffee table for a Yoo-Hoo can, sipping on the chocolate drink. The weed brought a sense of euphoria to him, making all his troubles disappear into the night. Casey realized how easy it was to get hooked on addictive substances like that, so he tried his best to keep his weed habits to a limit.
"Do you wanna stay here for a while then?" August asked. "I don't think I should bring you home like this."
"Yeah, come on, Casey." Sierra tugged on his arm. "Stay the night with us. It'll be like old times."
"Not all night," Casey told her. "I'll have to get home soon, but I'll stay a few hours."
Temptation won and Casey agreed to stay, leaning his head against Sierra's shoulder. She smelled like chocolate and something floral. Snake Charmer held his snakes beside him, occasionally letting Casey hold them too. Meanwhile, August took a seat on the edge of the couch arm and tried one of his cupcakes.
They laughed like old times. Casey forgot all about his dad's infidelity as he reached for another cupcake. Each ping from his phone went unanswered, as he didn't think about who could be trying to message him. All his responsibilities faded away, and he let himself get swooped up in the past with his old friends.
Snake Charmer got up to turn the radio on, blaring an obnoxious pop tune through the speakers. August scooted down onto the couch, brushing his body up against Casey's as he ate his cupcake. Crumbs dropped into his lap as he savored the treat.
"These are great," August told him. "Wish I'd know these were on the menu."
Casey snorted. "As if my dad would ever let that happen. Bet they'd earn us a lot of money."
"We ought to start our own little weed cupcake business," August suggested. "Imagine how much we'd make from it."
"I doubt we'd sell many with you all eating the merchandise," Casey teased, rolling his head over to rest on August's shoulder. He smelled like musky cologne, chocolate, and marijuana. Somehow, Casey found it to be intoxicating.
A bit of frosting dotted the corner of August's lips. Casey leaned closer, gently brushing it off with the pad of his thumb. His heartbeat pounded up in his throat as he cupped August's cheeks in both his hands. August laughed, asking what the hell he was doing before Casey closed the distance between them and kissed him.