Page 59 of Viper
“Fuck off!” my dad shouts,“No stranger is bringing up my granddaughter!”
I give him a sad smile. I know this probably sounds a little familiar to him. The only difference is that Lake didn’t tell anyone.
Swallowing, I admit, “They won’t be, but I just have to convince her she should be in her daughter’s life, my life.”
“What do you mean?” Blade questions and I swallow again, my throat dry, before admitting, “The reason why she wanted to place our daughter up for adoption is because she doesn’t want a label being put on her head like she had. She didn’t want her to be homeschooled and have to walk down the street with people whispering and wondering if she’ll turn into a patch chaser like she was accused of even at the age of five,” the brothers flinch with shame, “Her therapist managed to help her see that the club wouldn’t do that, that I wouldn’t allow you all to, I’d rather hang up my cut first,” Blade growls but I ignore him. I admit, “Before I dropped her off she said she’s giving me full custody.”
“Fuck,” Dirty rasps and Anna snaps, “That is not fucking happening, I’ll make sure of it!”
“Randy’s going to speak to her, she thinks she doesn’t deserve to be a mama, doesn’t deserve me after everything. She has really bad depression, and every day will be difficult for her. We just have to make sure she doesn’t relapse. She’s finally gained some more weight and is looking healthy again, and the doc has given her the okay to return to work.”
“I’m sorry, Viper,” Brick says, and I look his way with everyone else. He sighs, “I allowed the brothers to make shit up, to treat her poorly when I knew the girl. I knew how sweet she was, and I’m sorry I didn’t step in because then maybe just maybe, you two would be okay right now.”
“We can’t change the past,” I reply, “We just have to do better.”
He nods and Blade announces, “One malicious word or mutter about Lake or her daughter, I will be taking your patch and clubwhores, you’ll be booted out of the clubhouse as well as any old lady who opens their mouth.”
The brothers nod before Dirty states, “I say we celebrate. While Lake is recovering and thankfully okay, Viper here is going to be a fucking daddy!”
The brothers cheer, and I half-smile before locking eyes with Blade, who nods me over. I sigh, doing as told, knowing I can't disappear.
Fuck I hope Randy can talk some sense into her because I can guarantee she won’t like my way…
Chapter 22
Lake
I wipe my tears as I look up at the stars, memories that I cherish, that have helped me get through therapy flittering through my mind.
“I could stay here all night,” Jaylen murmurs against my lips, and I grin.
“We’ll freeze,” I reply, happiness filling me as I run my fingers through his hair.
Who knew asking a guy out who you nearly knocked over could turn into full-blown love almost a year later…
“I think I have my ways of keeping you warm,” he rasps as he pushes into me, his cock taking me in one. I moan and bite his bottom lip, as my walls fluttering around him keep him inside me.
I sniffle. I have so many regrets, and not fighting for him is one of them, but when he asked what about him in the car, I just, all I could picture was The Dive. All I could hear was that guy's grunts, the guy who apparently slipped me the date rape drug after my fifth shot.
Not enough to knock me out, but enough to cloud my judgement even more than the booze itself, but I still allowed another man to touch me. I never said 'stop' or 'no'. I encouraged him when I was in a memory of Jaylen and I, and I’ll never forgive myself for that.
I hear the back door opening, and I quickly wipe away my tears, not wanting to worry my dad. I’ve only been home for half an hour, yet I’m already falling apart. Even though I don’t have the urge to cut like I did in the first two weeks at the center, I have the urge to beg Jaylen to come back and get me.
He deserves better than me, more, and so does our daughter.
“A week longer, huh?” Dad says as he gently drops a blanket around my shoulders, then takes a seat next to me, and I grip the soft wool.
“I needed it,” I admit, and he hums, and I look back at the stars. “I was scared I was going to relapse and I hadn’t come to terms with what I had done,” I murmur.
“I’m proud of you, pumpkin,” he whispers, and I snort, but he ignores it and continues, “Even though you were scared and didn’t want to do it, you went to the center, you spoke about your feelings. Depression isn’t something to be ashamed of, Lake, and I know you are ashamed, but you shouldn’t be. You’ve been through a lot, and I know the crap the townsfolk have said over the years, the crap Cherri spewed, got to you. I know you struggled without Viper, but you’re overcoming it, and that is why I am proud.”
“But…” I prompt, knowing there is one.
He sighs, “But you pushing him away, it’s not fair on him, Lake. Is he innocent of the shit that has gone down? No, he isn’t, but he knows that, he knows he allowed his fear to cloud his judgement, and he wants to fight for you, pumpkin, but he’s scared you’ll relapse if he does.”
My bottom lip wobbles, and I remind Dad, “I slept with someone else.”
“You did, and he’s still wanting to fight for you…” He replies.
