Page 137 of The First Cut
“You had time to prepare, not that you ever really can.”
“I got to spend a lot of time with her toward the end. I read to her a lot, and we’d watch movies and play games like this one.”She lifts Scrabble and runs her fingers over the box, a smile on her face as she remembers.
“I got to tell her I loved her every single day, and she did the same. There were no angry words or missed chances. We said everything we needed to, and when she died it was at home in her bed. She was in so much pain at the end. It was almost a relief for it to be over, for her to find peace, you know? So no, being in the hospital doesn’t upset me.” She dips her head.
“She sounds like she was a good mom, Millie. I’m glad you got fourteen years of magic with her.”
She lifts her head, her eyes damp with tears. “Me too. I’m sad she’s gone, but I know I was lucky to have her to begin with. Some of my friends don’t have great parents and I feel bad for them.”
“Not all of us are lucky.”
She frowns. “You got bad ones, too?”
I shrug. “They weren’t monsters. They didn’t abuse me in any way, but let’s just say their morals didn’t line up with mine. They care about money and status more than anything else. And let me tell you, that kind of life is exhausting. Every girl I went to school with had a credit card and an eating disorder, and parents who were only around when there was a possible photo op.”
“You grew up rich?”
“I had money, but trust me when I say I was poor. I had everything I wanted and nothing I needed. Now I have everything I need in you, Evan, and your dad, and I’ve never been happier.”
“Even though you got hurt? What if who did it comes back? Aren’t you scared they’ll hurt you again?”
“Bruises heal. I’m okay, and so are you. That’s all that matters. And no, I’m not scared, because your dad will never let anything happen to either of us again. Be prepared to have a cutie in a cut following you around for the rest of your days.”
“They’re not so bad.”
“Remind me of this when you start dating.”
She giggles, moving the bag off the bed. “So what should we do first?”
“Have you ever played poker before?”
She shakes her head.
“Grab the cards and a bag of candy. We can use that as chips. Push the table up here so it’s between us and then get comfortable. We’ll have you fleecing the guys in no time.”
Epilogue
Lola
It’s been a month since I got out of the hospital and the last of the bruises have finally healed.
The club had already begun making amends with me before I was attacked, but seeing me broken and bloody must have triggered something in all of them. I went from having nobody to having dozens of overprotective brothers. I won’t lie and say they don’t drive me insane at times, but it’s hard to be angry when I’m in the center of the family I always dreamed of.
Even so, knowing that Havoc and Nevaeh are coming down from the mother chapter for the day has everyone’s protective streak going into overdrive. As a result, I snuck out of the house, leaving the kids with Jolene so I could have an hour of peace.
The ice cream shop is quiet at this time of the morning. When I walked in and Ed spotted me from behind the counter, he made my favorite cone—Cherry Garcia—and led me to the sofa in the corner. Then he activated the phone tree I never knew existed. Ten minutes later, I’m surrounded by people who want to see with their own two eyes that I’m okay.
“You know I snuck out so people would stop fussing over me.” I roll my eyes when Al plonks himself down beside me.
“You have too many people who care about you. How tragic.”
“Smart ass. And I’m not really complaining. I’m just trying to psych myself up for later. Everyone is acting weird because Havoc and his old lady are coming to visit. And, well, let’s just say it didn’t go well last time.”
“She came here once. She was nice. We gave them the little bit of info you told us to if anyone came asking questions from the mother chapter,” Jordan says.
“I figured you had.”
“I’m still not sure why we couldn’t mention you to them.”
