Page 53 of Manic

Rev and Dalla exchange a mischievous glance before turning to Fern. "Mom, can we show Tindra around?" Rev asks, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

Fern nods, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Go ahead, but behave yourselves."

The girls squeal with delight, and before I can blink, they're whisking Tindra away, their chatter fading as they disappear into the crowded clubhouse.

I watch them go, a mix of emotions swirling in my chest—pride, joy, and a twinge of anxiety.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Arik slipping away from the table.

Tor notices too, his brow furrowing. "Where's he running off to?" he asks, his voice low and tinged with suspicion.

Runes gives Tor a stern look, his weathered face creasing with disapproval.

"Probably to smoke some fuckin' weed," he growls, shaking his head.

I can't help but snort, remembering my own rebellious teenage years.

As the conversation lulls, I feel like there are so many questions lingering in the air.

Fern, never one to beat around the bush, leans forward, her eyes darting between Tor and me.

"So," she starts, her voice casual but laced with curiosity, "what's going on between you two? Obviously, you're trying to make things work with Tindra... but what does it mean for y'all?"

I freeze, my heart hammering in my chest.

We haven't really discussed this, not in concrete terms.

I look at Tor, unsure of what he'll say.

But Tor doesn't hesitate.

His hand finds mine under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We're together," he states, his voice firm and unwavering. "Plain and simple."

The words wash over me, and I feel a warmth blooming in my chest.

It's like a weight I didn't even know I was carrying has been lifted.

I squeeze Tor's hand back, a smile tugging at my lips.

"Yeah," I add, my voice soft but sure. "We are."

Internally, I'm marveling at how right this feels.

It's like there wasn't even a decision that needed to be made.

It's just... natural. As if all the years apart, all the pain and uncertainty, were leading us back to this moment.

Fern's face breaks into a wide grin. "Well, it's about damn time," she says, reaching across the table to pat my arm. "Youtwo have been dancing around each other for far too long. It's nice to see you together, even after all these years."

I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in years. "Yeah, I guess we have," I admit, leaning into Tor's solid presence beside me.

As the conversation shifts to catching up on lost time, I find myself lost in thought.

This clubhouse, once a source of so much pain and fear, now feels different.

Not entirely comfortable, not yet, but... possible.

Like maybe, just maybe, I can push all of my bad memories aside to make new ones with my daughter and man.

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