Page 76 of Tech

He smiles, gently kisses my lips, and whispers, “I think that would be a good idea, Angel. I love you.”

I smile and kiss him back, rasping, “I love you, too.” I’m feeling so grateful he’s giving me a second chance, while also hoping his momma will learn to forgive not just her husband and son but also herself.

Life’s too short….

23

Tech – A Week Later

“Hey Angel,” I rasp as I answer the phone, a smile automatically appearing as I lean back in my chair.

“Hey Love, I just wanted to call to let you know I’ve got to go into surgery; China’s come back again, but this time, the animal swallowed a battery—a flipping battery.”

I chuckle and ask, “How has the owner not had that dog removed from her care yet? This is the fifth time he’s been admitted for swallowing something.”

Brook sighs. “Her brother-in-law is the dog warden. I’ve made a formal complaint, and hopefully, the dog will be removed, if I can actually get the battery out without it causing damage.”

I chuckle again before shutting down my computer.

“Just remember Doc said you have to take it easy; you’re not on full bed rest yet?—”

She cuts me off, “I know, I know. Momma comes into the practice several times daily to ensure I’m not overdoing it.”

Smiling as I stand, I reply, “I take it she’s driving you crazy, Angel.”

Brook groans. “So flipping much! Okay, I get it, her daughter doesn’t have cancer, she’s having a baby and is high risk, but I just-just….”

I finish her words for her, “Want a break.” I grab my keys, leave my room, and lock it.

“I get it, baby. She opened your letter, and you're still upset over that, which you have every right to be, because you haven’t processed her invading your privacy; she had promised to give you space until she found out about the baby, and now won’t leave you alone.”

I walk into the common room as she whispers, “If I tell her to leave me alone for a while, it’ll hurt her, and I don’t want to do that, but I also just want some peace to get my head straight. I’m still trying to process everything with the cancer scam, the fact I could have lost our baby I didn’t even realize I was pregnant with, Nina is still at large—my head is scrambled with guilt for running from you, breaking us, letting my irrational fear tear us apart, then there’s the loss of Shadow, who I still haven’t been able to mourn for properly. And then everything with your momma and her pain, and the fact she doesn’t want anything to do with you….”

I sigh. “Brook, breathe, baby….”

She does as I ask, takes a deep breath, and rasps, “Sorry.”

I chuckle as my father flags me over near the door. He’s looking tired, worn out, stressed, and worried.

One week, that’s how long Momma has been gone and how long my father has drowned in the deep end. I did what I said I was going to do. I hacked Momma’s hospital records, and sure enough, everything she mentioned was the truth.

She’d also had a miscarriage two years after I was born. My father didn’t know, and he broke down when reading it. She was sixteen weeks, pregnant with a girl.

I could have had a sibling, and he never knew; Momma kept it from him.

He said she was away on a retreat during that time, but she wasn’t, she was admitted for five fucking days, and he was none the wiser.

He’s tried to contact her but hasn’t heard back from her. Instead, he got served with divorce papers in front of the club the day she left him. It took four brothers to contain him after he smashed up the bar, and then another three when I refused to tell him her new address.

Momma needs time. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to give him her address after I found it under her maiden name, Willis, but my girl sat me down and explained the need for space, and I understood.

Right now, Momma needs time, and it’s time we’ve given her until now.

Dad misses her, and so do I. I fucked up, grabbing her throat, threatening her, and shoving her to the floor, but we all need to try and forgive.

Sighing, I rasp, “I know things are hard, Angel, but I need you not to worry. Doc has put you on light duty. We both know that’s only because you begged him not to take the animals away from you while giving him puppy dog eyes.” She snorts, knowing I’m right. “Now, I don’t want you to worry about my momma. I love you for worrying, despite everything she’s put you through. I understand her reasoning, but I have handled it. I’m about to leave the club with my father, and no, before you butt in, he won’t be coming into the café with me; he’s going to wait for my signal.”

Brook grunts, making me smile as I pat my dad on the back, and walk past him.

---