Page 41 of Operation Annulment
I place my head on my knees and suck in a ragged breath.
Dakota stands up and goes over to Jeremy. “Congrats. I have a brother now.”
Little Ricky cracks up and mutters under his breath. “You’re so dead, Jarvis.”
He’s obviously talking to himself.
I’m about to that point myself.
When Dakota hugs Jeremy, he shoots me a panicked look and blurts out, “She didn’t marry me…”
Dakota whirls on her heel and stares daggers at me. “God of thunder, Kate. Tell me you didn’t do something as stupid as marrying that asshole!”
I stand up. “Well, it’s time for me to go.”
She shoves a hand into my chest, and I wince. “No, you don’t, Mary Katherine. I need details!”
I grind my teeth together. “You just called my husband an asshole, Dakota. You don’t get to make demands now. Jeremy, let’s go.”
“If you’re married to Nate, why are you here with Jeremy?”
I grab my purse from her coffee table, ignoring her on my way to the front door.
“Kate, stop. Don’t leave like this. Let’s talk. You can tell me how the wedding was.”
She tries to stop me, and I shrug her off.
“Kate—Dad’s alive.”
I stop and turn back. Everyone is standing around Dakota. Mama nods as if confirming everything.
“My dad died,” I say the words slowly, hoping the truth will sink in.
Mama shakes her head, and Little Ricky laughs. “Nah, Hail Mary. Your padre is my boss.”
Oh my god.
My dad is the president of the motorcycle club. I look at my mother. “So, your husband is my dad?”
She nods. “Kate, I wanted to tell you?—”
I shake my head. “Wow, I’m hearing a lot of that tonight. I need to get out of here.”
This means that my father is an incredibly dangerous man. This is so much worse than I previously thought.
I kick off my broken-down heels and run out into the front yard with Jeremy right behind me. He tries to grab my arm but misses and grabs the strap of my tank top, ripping it.
It’s the final straw in what’s been an absolute banner day.
I sink onto the damp grass and wail. Jeremy scoops me up in his arms and carries me to his car.
“It’s alright, Kate. I’ll get you home.” His words are just another reminder that I’m not even sure where home is anymore.
I cry into his chest. “It should’ve been you. It would’ve been so much easier if it were you.”
He buckles me in and then goes around to get into the driver’s seat. “Easier isn’t always better, Kate.”
I sniffle. “You just heard all that, and you’re not fazed by it. Nate would have run immediately.”
