Page 12 of Anchor

She used to love Heaven until I cheated, and instead of blaming me or hitting me, she turned on Heaven.

In her eyes, she forgave my dad twice and raised his affair baby, so Heaven walking away doesn’t make sense to her. Mom’s eyes are clouded because everyone should be forgiving like her.

“I’ve got to take him to training then we’ll be going back to the house. Heaven has a date,” I admit just as quietly.

No one in the club knows of their existence—it’s for safety than anything now because Heaven refuses my help. Convincing her not to sell the house was hard work in itself, but as far as I’m aware, she’s still working nights at the senior home despite my putting money in her account every month.

She’s spent ten years raising our son, not returning to school. She hasn’t even lived, and I know that’s my fault for the one mistake I made and wish to take back.

Callie’s head shoots up in shock, her brown eyes wide at my admission while Mom’s nostrils flare.

“She’s dating while married to you?” she asks snidely, and I snort at her criticism.

“I cheated on her, Mom, on our wedding anniversary while she cared for our newborn,” I remind her.

She scoffs. “And? That was ten years ago. It’s time she got over it! You are still married, and she needs to honor that.”

I grit my teeth, and Callie glares at our mother as she snaps, “As Dad honored yours?” Dad flinches. Callie sneers, “And keep your voice down, Mom.”

Mom glares back at her but turns my way as I lean forward, getting their attention, not needing the club to realize the tension. I remind my mother, “We’re only still married because I refuse a divorce; I want her back because I love her and while, yes, I made a mistake, a big fucking mistake that has ruined my life, she didn’t just hear about it like you did, Mom, she witnessed it and heard the words I don’t even remember saying, words she likes to bring up during every argument.” My eyes race between hers, and knowing I need to shut her trap up, I remind her, “Not every woman is as easy forgiving as you were. She grew up with her mom having a revolving door of men, and moved more times than a child should, all because her mom relied on a man. Heaven doesn’t want that to be her life, and has put our son first for years, including working at a job that is not her passion. So keep your voice down, because, for their safety, no one knows of their existence, and you know this.”

That said, I push off the table, Mom’s eyes wide, and I look at my dad and state, “I’m taking Micha to football practice, then I’ll return to the house at six. If you want to come ‘round when we get back, you can help Micha, and I ruin her date.”

He nods, and Callie chimes in, “I’m coming, too; there is no way I’m letting her move on from you; you two are perfect for each other.”

I nod at her and walk to the door.

“Yo, Anchor, you staying for a beer?” Art shouts, but I lift my hand and continue walking. He’s one of my best friends but believes Heaven and I split, just like everyone else, and fuck do I feel guilty not keeping him in the loop, but I know I can’t focus on that right now. I have plans to figure out, ways to convince my woman to give our marriage another shot. I know she still loves me; if she didn’t, then she wouldn’t still sleep with me every time we argue, giving me the perfect opportunity to mess with her birth control, which, yes, I’m fully aware she’s going to kill me for.

Maybe I should look into couples therapy….

Just as my hand touches the door, a smaller one grips my bicep, and I turn to see Ginger biting her lip, and I growl, shoving her hard, causing her to fall on her ass and the brothers to laugh at her.

I point at her. “Next time you touch me, I’ll kick you outta the fucking clubhouse, got it?”

Her eyes widen while the brothers stay quiet, not refuting. They all glare at Ginger, and I lock eyes with Steal, who nods, confirming the brothers will have my back when the time comes to get rid of the bitch.

Giving him a salute, I turn and open the door, walking out of the clubhouse, needing to see my girl, hoping to convince her to stop dating.

Yeah, maybe therapy is the route to go….

4

Heaven

Andy: I can’t wait to see you tonight.

“Hey, Mom, where are my cleats?” my darling son shouts from the living area, and I jump, nearly dropping my phone, not expecting it when, really, I should have.

I fumble with my phone before I grip it, and sigh…. Four times I’ve had to have my phone screen fixed because my son has a habit of shouting to get my attention.

Damn, boy is lucky he’s cute.

“In the coat closet, sweetheart,” I shout back while locking my phone, my heart beating a little faster and not because of Andy, the mechanic in New Jersey that Steal told me to use, but because I feel like I’ve done something wrong, accepting the date. Now I’m acting like I’ve just been caught, like a child being caught snatching cookies from the cookie jar.

I mean, it’s not the first date I’ve gone on this year; it’s more like the fifth, and each time, my son has called, giving me the perfect excuse to leave early without that dreaded goodbye kiss, which I’ve taken, not caring if it’s a ploy to mess up my dates.

I don’t seem to be into the men and don’t know why.

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