Page 10 of Steal

Mom huffs as the lawyer admits, “In this folder here,” he holds up a brown folder, “is proof that your mother was having an affair, and then proceeded to allow her lover's daughter to play friends with Perrie.”

My mouth drops open in shock as I look toward my mother, who doesn’t move, her face pale.

She cheated on my dad, who gave her the world, that stupid, fu?—

“You selfish money-hungry whore!” I scream and lunge for my mother before arms grab me from behind, Colt’s scent taking over as he whispers, “She’s not worth it, Trouble….”

I fight against him and kick out, trying to get to my worthless mother while she sobs like a victim in the corner of the office.

Now, Mom leans on me, making me tense as Hammer says, “From encouraging Cassidy to attend medical school, ensuring her dreams come true, to teaching Perrie how to fight in the ring but threatening to hurt anyone who hurts her.” Everyone chuckles and I look down, regretting even applying for med school, knowing how much it cost him. Hammer continues, “He was a good man who adored his girls and did everything for them, and speaking for myself, I know he will be leaving a big hole in their hearts.”

A sob releases, and I instantly hate myself for it knowing Perrie needs me. An arm wraps around me and Colt’s cross tattoo comes into view. I grip his arm as he holds me from behind while my body shakes with my silent sobs.

Hammer sighs, but I don’t look up as he concludes, “He didn’t want to leave his girls, and we all know he would do anything tobe here with them, to stop their hurting, but know this: He will always be with them in spirit, in their hearts….”

“There is no way I’m allowing my daughter to date a filthy biker!” Mom snaps, and I roll my eyes as Dad raises a brow at her and reminds her, “One of my very closest friends is a ‘filthy biker,’ Trudy, who helped me open the gym that affords your fancy clothes, so why don’t you watch your mouth? Now, I don’t give a shit if you’re not happy about Cassy’s relationship, I am, and that’s all that matters, so buck the fuck up!”

My mouth hangs open in shock at my father’s angry words, but he ignores it and kisses my head, mumbling, “I love you, pumpkin, and I can’t think of a better man than Steal to be with my daughter….”

“Please, could we all stand as we say our last farewell to John James Halliwell, a beloved father and figure in the community,” the priest says, and I blink as Colt leans over to help me up while Mom clings to me.

Perrie doesn’t stand, causing everyone to look at her, but instead of chastising her like my mother most likely wants to do, evidenced by the glare she’s sending Perrie’s way, I press my hand on Perrie’s shoulder, giving her the support she needs. I try not to fall apart as our dad’s favorite song, “Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns n’ Roses, plays, and she sings along numbly.

“She’s got a smile it seems to me

Reminds me of childhood memories

Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky….”

My tears fall as I look up at the ceiling and mumble the words along with her as I picture my dad laughing.

“She’s got the eyes of the bluest skies

As if they thought of rain, I’d hate to look into those eyes and see an ounce of pain….”

I feel Colt press his face into my neck, but I ignore him and continue mumbling the words along with my sister until the priest tells people to start leaving. Perrie doesn’t move, but neither do I, causing Hammer to halt near us.

He looks at Perrie with concern, and I clear my throat and ask, “H-Hammer? Can you take Mom, please?” He tilts his head at me, but I won’t back down. Right now, this is about me and my sister, not his club or my mother. He sees my defiance but nods and takes Mom, who wails like the pathetic bitch she is. “Ol, can you give us a moment, please?” I ask as Perrie continues to mumble the words to the song. He nods, his eyes looking at me with concern, but I don’t let my expression drop.

Oliver kisses Perrie’s head and whispers, “I’ll be waiting outside, Tinker….” Then he’s gone before Eli follows suit. He also kisses Perrie's head and whispers, "Love you, Pez,” before looking my way.

I allow a few tears to fall, and his eyes soften as he nods, and then leaves, before I look at Colt.

He tilts his head, his gray eyes racing between mine as he squeezes my shoulder, knowing what this is about, before he leans forward to kiss me, but I turn at the last second, giving him the cheek, making him sigh, though I don’t know why he expected anything different.

I needed him that day, but he choseheras usual.

Swallowing hard, I wait until he and Anchor walk out the room, the struggle to breathe becoming too strong as Perrie continues to sing the song, mumbling,“Whooooa, wweet child o’ mine.”

Taking a deep breath, I kneel before her and grip her chin, forcing her to look at me.

My heart breaks, seeing her pain, knowing I can’t take it away, knowing I’m about to make it worse when I explain the situation with our parents, explaining what the lawyer said as I hand over the keys to the gym and the Mustang, shocking her. And I hate myself for having to tell her that her so called friend, a girl I refused to allow to come to the funeral, used her to get to our mom and said mother knew but still went along with it.

After holding my sister like my life depends on it, I walk her out of the crematorium and guide her to Ollie, refusing to use his road name. He gives me a sad smile, also hurting because dad treated him like a son. Ollie kisses my head, then takes my sister into his arms, and I watch as he gently guides her to the Mustang before getting into the driver’s seat and heading to the club where the wake is being held.

I don’t move.

He’s gone, dad’s really dead….

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