Page 13 of Jackass

I reached down for my little girl. Scooping her up, she threw her arms around my neck, and I walked away. Leaving both women behind me.

“Jack, wait!” Sammy cried.

“Jack,” Beck called out.

I could hear them following behind me. I ignored them both. No way in hell would I wait. I was taking my little girl home. I strolled through the front doors, straight to Beck’s SUV.

“Jack, stop!” Sammy cried.

I reached to open the door and felt a hand on my back. I couldn’t hold my temper and growled at the woman behind me.

“Jack, knock it off. You can’t just take her.” Beck stood behind me.

Sammy cried next to her.

“Like hell I can’t. She’s my daughter. She belongs with me,” I snipped.

“Jack, she needs her mother,” Beck reasoned sympathetically

“She doesn’t need a mother that lies to her.”

Yes, I was being an asshole. I rarely lost my temper. Most of the time I was pretty even-keeled, so I didn’t know how to control the rage I was feeling right now. I would probably feel bad later, but right now, I wanted her to hurt.

“Daddy.”

Charlie’s quiet voice broke through the haze. I looked at my daughter. With tears in her eyes, her little lip quivered. I closed my eyes, holding her tight.

“What is it, baby girl?” I asked softly.

“Mommy is crying.”

I looked back at Sammy as tears slid down her face. Handing my daughter back to her mother, I turned away as she hugged her tightly to her body.

Anger wasn’t an emotion I handled well. I placed my hands on the SUV and tried to temper the resentment coursing through me.

“Samantha,” Beck uttered. “Why don’t I ride with you, and Jack can follow us to the clubhouse.”

“No,” I countered, “We’re all riding in your SUV.”

“Jack, Charlie needs to be in a car seat.”

Shit.

She was right.

I took a deep breath.

Sammy just stood there and said nothing. She didn’t walk away.

I had to give her that.

“Fine. Ride with her.” I pointed at Sammy. “Straight back to the clubhouse. I’ll be right behind you.”

I pulled into the lot at the clubhouse behind Sammy and Beck. Climbing out of Beck’s SUV, I slammed the door behind me.

I marched over to Sammy’s Toyota and opened the back door. Reaching in, I unhooked Charlie from her seat and hoisted her onto my hip. Heading for the clubhouse, I didn’t bother to wait for the two women to follow me inside.

I stepped into the common area, followed by Beck and Sammy. There were a few brothers milling around, playing pool, and drinking at the bar.

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