Page 25 of Weatherman

He nodded. “Okay.”

I noticed Weatherman’s usually smooth voice sounded rough. I glanced at him. His eyes were wet and his mouth tight. He held my daughter and my plate as if it was natural to him to wait for me. That burn in my chest ignited again as my sleeping daughter snuggled close.

Betsey popped open a beer and handed it to Dodge before getting distracted by a new arrival. She moved from behind the bar in a tizzy. “Lord in heaven, Katie Grace! What are you doing here, child?”

I was left alone with Weatherman, who was still holding my daughter and my plate. Emotions churned in my belly like acid, and so many feels crowded my head, but first and foremost was escape.

“Let’s go sit over there.” He gestured with his chin. “I’ll hold her until you’re finished.”

My instincts told me to forget the food, grab Pearl, and run.

“Stay.”

For once, I ignored the voice. “No, thanks. I need to get her home and to bed.”

“You can take a few minutes to sit and eat.”

I spotted Donna as she sidled up to another biker. He was polite, but she was rebuffed. Again. “She’s tired.”

“And she’s sleeping.” He swayed back and forth while holding my little girl.

My heart twisted under a massive pressure to escape. My breaths came in little gasps, and I thought my chest might burst open if I didn’t get out soon. “That’s nice of you, but I have to go.”

“I don’t mind. I like kids.”

I ignored him and tossed the paper plate with all its uneaten food into the nearest trash can. In my head, I recognized that I was being unreasonable, but I couldn’t help it. “I don’t care what you like or don’t like.” I bit back the rest of the words I wanted to spew. I had to live here and get along with the club that ultimately paid my bills, but I didn’t have to be a member of their world. I couldn’t do that. Not ever.

Not again.

I snatched Pearl from his arms, and she woke up enough to fuss at me. My feet were practically running as I hurried to the door and the parking area outside the massive cabin. My only focus was to get out of there and get home before any other voices started talking to me. I needed the sanctuary of my little apartment and the safe haven I’d made it.

I reached my car and fumbled for my keys when I realized I’d left both my jacket and Pearl’s with the stroller inside the building.

Stupid! Stupid! Stuuuuupid!

I stifled a sob as I fought back a total breakdown in the dark against my car. My gut wanted to puke, and my brain was going to explode. Cravings I had long conquered churned and rose inmy throat, and if it weren’t for the baby in my arms, I would have run crazily down the long mountain road, screaming my head off.

“Weak. Soooo weak.”

I’d hoped never to hear that sinister whisper again, but there it was, still coiled in my belly, waiting to strike when I was at my lowest point. I clung to my child, selfishly using her as an anchor to keep me sane and grounded.

The familiar rattle hit my ears, and someone called my name. “Opal, wait up a minute.”

Weatherman had followed me and brought the stroller and jackets. “What the hell is your fuckin’ prob—shit.”

The stroller stopped next to me. Two seconds later, Pearl and I were both taken into a warm and secure embrace. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I got you.”

“I got you. I got you. Hang on, sweetness. Stay with me.”

Words from my past echoed in my head and heart. “I’m… I’m… I can’t….”

“You don’t have to. Just breathe, sweetheart. Breathe with me. You can do this.”

More words from my past. More emotions rolling in my belly ready to spill out. I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs. I was going to pass out or go mad. Maybe both.

“Hang on, sweetness and listen to him.”

The voice broke through my haziness, and I listened to it. I matched Weatherman’s deep breaths and got control of myself. It seemed to take forever, but I finally settled enough to stand on my own. I pulled back enough to see those hazel eyes of his staring back at me, close and full of concern, like he actually gave a shit.

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