Page 65 of Breaking Storm

“We were forced to get married, Joey. I wanted some control over my life.”

He spins around so fast I yank the sheets up to my chin.

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“I meant to, but…”

“But what, Tea? You couldn’t find the time? Or when I confessed I wanted to be a dad, it didn’t occur to you to say something?”

He nabs his shirt and jeans from the floor, tugging them onto his body.

I move to the end of the bed, still bracing the sheet against me. “Joey—”

“Don’t say another word. You had every opportunity to come clean.” He adds a sweater and boots while his voice grows in volume. “Fuck, Tea! I told you. Sean. My mom. I confessed to all of you that I want to be a father. Instead of telling me then, you made me wonder if there was something wrong with me or you.”

My hand reaches out to catch his arm, but he yanks it away. “I’m sorry. I—” I don’t get to finish the sentence.

He has the door open, and over his shoulder says, “I might not have been the best choice for a husband, but I’d give you the world, moon, and universe. It’s unfortunate you’re not willing to do the same.”

My sob hooks in my throat when he slams the door. I fall back onto the bed, crying, because I disappointed him. He loves me as deep as the oceans. He’s taken care of me. If anything, he deserved to know after things got better between us. Except I kept quiet for selfish reasons. To get what I want, which was a college degree and possibly a job. We’re married. This is something married people discuss. I bury my face in the pillow, pouring out my heartbreak, and hoping Joey will forgive me.

At some point, I fall asleep, and I’m awakened by my phone. It’s the burner phone Joey gave me. I reach into the bedside drawer, thinking it’s Erin, and answer with a cracked hello.

“Teagan. It’s Leo.”

This wakes me up a little. “Is everything okay?”

He pauses before saying, “Dad died. He had a heart attack.”

I hold the sheet close to my body and bite my lip. The news is jolting yet there aren’t any tears or sadness. Only thoughts spinning back to Joey.

“Did you hear me, Teagan?”

“Yeah.” My voice crumples when I add, “Dad’s dead.”

“I know you two didn’t get along, but I think you should come to the wake and funeral.”

My hand squeezes the phone tighter. “Yes, of course.”

There’s a lull in conversation. We’re both stewing in our own thoughts. My dad’s dead and there are no tears. Yes, he gave me the finer things in life, and I accepted them, but we also fought. Raising a hand to me was second nature. I’d talk back and go against his wishes, and it left me bruised and pissed. He’s part of the reason I wanted to get as far away from Chicago as possible. My family is no good. And now, I’ll be right back there, faking grief, and praying I won’t get sucked back in.

Leo interrupts by saying, “So… I’ll call you back once I have the information.”

“Okay.”

Before he hangs up, he adds, “I love you, Monkey.”

“Love you, too, Leo.”

The line goes silent. My heart aches for the absence of Joey, not my father’s death. I want to be in his arms as he forgives me. Instead, I’m naked in bed, hearing my dad is gone for good. The phone drops onto the bed, and I bury my face in my hands.

Chapter 25

SHIT!I’VE BEEN FUCKING TEAGAN, filling her with my cum, and she hasn’t gotten pregnant. Why? Because she has an IUD that she never mentioned. I’m beyond angry. Before I say anything I’ll regret, I leave the house, storming through the woods. It’s cold, my breath fogging my vision, but my legs continue to move, fists pumping at my sides.

Fuck!

The majority of my life was a trainwreck, from James yanking my mom out of my life to his abuse, and then a forced marriage at twenty-two. I’ve bided my time, collected money over the years, waiting until the right moment. Now, when I have my mom and things are good with Teagan, I’m smacked in the face again by betrayal. The one thing, one thing I want more than anything, is to be a dad. To show everyone I’m not a dumb street fighter and that I’m a better dad than anyone in our circle. I’ve had dreams of a beautiful wife. A little boy I teach to be a man. Or sometimes it’s a little girl, who I protect with my life. In all the dreams, I’m nowhere near Chicago. My quiet family life is the opposite of my own.

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